When I solo hiked out to Oriole Lake I don't remember any navigation. It's been a while but I just walked the road and ended up by the lake near some cabins. There was a very nice woman there who told me stories about the place and warned me about the mountain lions. Considering I don't remember any navigation issues I assume it was straightforward.Dillonwood Grove, Oriole Lake and Milk Ranch Peak are on my list for this spring. Any tips on finding the use trail to Oriole Lake from the road terminus?
Also, I read that Paradise Cave is off the Milk Ranch Road. Anyone ever been able to find it? I see an old road or trail that leads south from the Milk Ranch spur just west of Grunigen Creek that looks like it may barely be off NPS land; but possibly on a BLM easement. Anyone know where that path leads? Better yet, is access to Milk Ranch Peak even legal? It looks like the road may pass through a private holding before reaching the BLM easement.
They used to leave the first gate unlocked and you could drive to the junction and even go left up to the gate where you'd park for Paradise Cave. However, because there have been repeated illegal marijuana grows on Squirrel Creek you can't drive much of the road anymore and have to go on foot (or bike?).
Milk Ranch Peak is really really cool. You do have to walk the dirt road through a small private property section but when I saw the cabin owner there once he just waved. I spent an afternoon in the lookout in a snowstorm and it was a memorable experience. I assume you've seen the Milk Ranch Peak Webcam?
Paradise Cave might be hard to find if you haven't been there. I hope you understand that's it's not really a good idea to post locations on the internet. I remember it being pretty cool and not trashed, but it's been a while.
Just to pique your interest, there is another cave sort of on Paradise Ridge that goes quite deep with squeeze rappels and water and the full experience. At the furthest point that's been explored there is a passage filled with rubble. So much wind is coming out of the rubble that the room fills with dust and you can hardly breathe. That point has not been dug out yet but some suspect it might be the deepest (not longest) cave in the park based on how much air is coming through that section. Strong wind often indicate large chambers as well. Stronger wind than Hurricane Crawl Cave.
Lots to explore!