Only later did I remember that I had hit the outside of my foot against a sharp rock. The 113,000 acre Emigrant Wilderness; bordered by Yosemite National Park on the south,the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest on the east, and State Highway 108 on the north; is an elongated area that trends northeast about 25 miles in length and up to 15 miles in width. Casey and I have a penchant for off-trail exploring and navigation, and the Emigrant is a granite wonderland perfectly suited to this endeavor. We hustled downhill, except for a surprisingly steep uphill right before the trail junction, again stopping for another snack/ lunch and water filtering break at Grouse Creek. We planned this trip because fire closures canceled other plans, yet this national forest remained open. We then added crushed bean chips and turkey jerky. The Emigrant Wilderness Loop is a 19.5-mile loop located in Stanislaus National Forest, California, that can be hiked in 1-3 days. But the path that paralleled East Fork Cherry seemed to double as a riverbed during spring. Its possible to hike this trail in the winter with traction, but be sure to check the national forest road conditions and be prepared for winter conditions. Went to Chewing Gum Lake over the Labor Day weekend. So continue south, passing by Ridge Lake before going to Iceland. Elevation: +3000ft. Please enter your username or email address to reset your password. All photos taken with our . Watersheds drain to the Stanislaus and Tuolumne Rivers. Food storage: Bear canisters are not required in Stanislaus National Forest, but are highly recommended. We planned our 32 mile lollipop route using AllTrails Pro, obtained our backcountry permit online, and headed out early Friday morning at the beginning of October. The closest snow to the bay is likely Chews Ridge or Junipero Serra/Santa Lucia/Pimkolam in Los Padres :) If you want snow the Sierra is your choice in Northern California. Beautiful views. Backpacking is the best way to explore and truly immerse yourself in this majestic setting. Senate. This is a historic route that is no longer maintained by the Forest Service. Permits are required for overnight stays. No trail head marker exists at the beginning but the single track begins at the parking turnout. According to AllTrails.com, the longest trail in Emigrant Wilderness is Emigrant Wilderness and Sachse Monument Loop. Author: United States. Fortunately, the other end of the lake was much more suitable for camping. The park's runner-up is Granite Dome Loop via Kennedy Meadows, which will get you 5,587 ft of elevation gain. While the grade was steeper since we didnt have nicely graded switchbacks to follow, we actually made ok time up to the top of the ridge. No holding of more than 4 head of stock within mile of the following lakes:, Gem, Jewelry, Long, Maxwell, Pingree, Piute and Rosasco. #7 - Granite Dome Loop via Kennedy Meadows. There's an earthen boat ramp at Songer Wayside on the Emigrant Creek arm. Camping and Permits: Permits are required from April 1 to Nov. 30 for any overnight travel in the Emigrant Wilderness. Emigrant Wilderness ~ 6 - 10 August 2007. The next morning, the smoke had cleared and we headed out early for our climb back down to Louse Canyon. We dodged a bunch of cow patties, and our group spread out to avoid stomping out a trail through the dead grasses. Gaps in the trees offered occasional glimpses of granite cliffs and the views ahead. They were both closed by Sunday, October 18th, though were open earlier in October. This trail is estimated to be 45.9 mi long and takes on average 22 h 59 min to hike. Mileage: ~20 miles, ~2,500 elevation gain. The Bell Meadow Trail parallels the Crabtree Trail, and can create a variety of nice loops to explore. The Emigrant Wilderness borders right upon the northern end of Yosemite National Park and is quite a recreation destination. After taking a ton of photos that wouldnt do it any justice, we skirted around the upper flanks to a notch where our route would take us over to Big Lake. The Emigrant Wilderness is the Yosemite backcountry's underappreciated cousin. The next night, we hid in a well-covered dirt site next to a smaller lake and woke up with zero condensation. The Marines' Mountain Warfare Training Center, the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, and the Hoover Wilderness form the Emigrant Wilderness' eastern border. This trip begins at ~7500 feet at the Box Springs Trailhead This trail is at the end of Forest Route 3N20Y. Bordering its more famous sibling to the north, this high country is defined by granite walls, domes, ridges, peaks and the meadows, creeks, and lakes that lay in their shadows. Visit our, Introducing the New Freedom Fatty E-bike by Wing, The Best Backpacking Destinations in Ansel Adams Wilderness, Backpacking the PCT across Desolation Wilderness, 10 Great Hoover Wilderness Day Hike Excursions, Union Valley Reservoir Camping and Recreation, Camping and Lodging Plumas National Forest, Camping Near Mono Lake Inyo National Forest, Backcountry Fishing in Desolation Wilderness, Snowshoeing Lassen Volcanic National Park, Snowshoeing and Cross Country Skiing Donner Summit Region, Snowshoeing Ed Zberg Sugar Pine State Park in Lake Tahoe, Snowshoe Silver City to Noble Canyon Outside of Markleville, Hiking Glacier Point in Yosemite National Park, Top 6 Bridgeport Day Hiking Trails & Destinations, Hiking the Rubicon Trail in South Lake Tahoe, American River Canyon Trails Auburn State Recreational Area, Hiking the Horsetail Falls Trail into Desolation Wilderness, Exploring the Lakes of Pyramid Creek ~ A Desolation Wilderness Adventure, A Great Five Lake Day Trip into Desolation Wilderness, HIKING DESOLATION WILDERNESS GLEN ALPINE TRAILHEAD, WOLF CREEK TRAIL | CARSON ICEBERG WILDERNESS, FEATHER FALLS NATIONAL RECREATIONAL TRAIL PLUMAS NATIONAL FOREST, Free Entrance Days for National Parks in 2021, Skiing and Snowshoeing Glacier Point in Yosemite National Park, Hiking Lyell Canyon and the JMT From Tuolumne Meadows, Yosemite High Sierra Camps Open Again in 2023, Lassen Volcanic National Park 1 Day Itenerary, Kings Creek Falls Lassen Volcanic National Park, Sequoia National Forest Trails and Camping Sites, Plan your 2023 Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park Backpacking Trips, Exploring Mineral King Valley Sequoia National Park, Mineral King Day Hikes Sequoia National Park, Day Hiking grant grove trails in Sequoia National Park, Day hiking Giant Forest & Lodgepole in Sequoia National Park, Day Hiking Cedar Grove trails Sequoia National Park, Discover Darwin Falls in Death Valley National Park, Deep in the Canyons of the Carson Iceberg Wilderness, Highland Lakes Stanislaus National Forest, DESOLTATION WILDERNESS: MEEKS BAY TRAIL TO PHIPPS PASS, Desolation Wilderness Trailhead and Mileage, Top 10 Backpacking Trails John Muir Wilderness, Guide to Hiking Meiss Country in Lake Tahoe, Lodging and Accommodations Alpine County California, Kid-Friendly Summer Adventure in Calaveras County, 15 Great Outdoor Destinations and Trails in Toulumne County, Backpacking Inyo National Forest Trail Quotas, Lassen Volcanic to Offer Online Backcountry Permit System, Pacific Crest Trail Permit Updates Class 2023, Tahoe Conservancy to Improve Trail to Lake Tahoe at Upper Truckee Marsh, Will Involve Temporary Closure, Plan Ahead on National Forests this Labor Day Weekend, RENO TAHOE SNOW REPORT FOR EASTER WEEKEND 2022, Special Edition - New Year New Adventure 2023. It takes an average of 4 h 4 min to hike. There are over 185 miles of trails designated for foot or horse traffic only. However at this time of year, only a few stagnant pools remained. Emigrant Wilderness - granite dome lakes << Hiking In Emigrant Summary Granite Dome Hike >> Stats to Reach Lakes. Like much of the Sierra Nevada, the Emigrant Wilderness is a land of endless granite landscapes carved out by glaciers and water over millions of years. These trails have an average 4.5-star rating from 1,485 AllTrails community reviews. We took a cross-country shortcut to Emigrant Meadow Lake along Cherry Creek, where we stopped for the night at 17:18. At the trail junction, we turned north and climbed 500ft up a ridge to the intersection with Crabtree Trail, ultimately making our way back to the trailhead. A few of the lakes are a bit swampy, and you will want to wade out into the water to collect away from the mud. The Emigrant Wilderness is a glaciated landscape of great scenic beauty. You must arm yourself with a good topographical map and a compass to find some of these high country lakes. We hiked to the other side of the lake climbed a ridge and has lunch there. We inadvertently found an unmarked trail that would ultimately lead back to the Bell Meadow trail, but that wasnt in our plan so we backtracked. The 113,000 acre Emigrant Wilderness; bordered by Yosemite National Park on the south,the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest on the east, and State Highway 108 on the north; is an elongated area that trends northeast about 25 miles in length and up to 15 miles in width. Emigrant Lake has county recreational facilities and good amenities, including several campgrounds, two developed boat ramps and more. Watersheds drain to the Stanislaus and Tuolumne Rivers. We set up our tent on the beach and met two other backpackers, who were heading back to their camp on the opposite side of the lake with some freshly caught trout. Stock: This area is heavy with horse activity. This is an excellent backpacking route in the Emigrant Wilderness. This parking lot also has trash cans and pit toilets, and has a water spigot that was not working as of Sunday, October 18, 2020. Emigrant Wilderness - Emigrant Lake, Pinecrest, 6 miles away : Hotels Near Sharon Lake: Super 8 Gardnerville Topaz Lake, Gardnerville, 25 miles away: Best . Access overall is good. Gradual sloping granite, YES! Once we scrambled down this bit, we found a small creek, and followed it, along a clear use or game trail. But when you go off-trail, you dont have man-made signs to tell you that. This 2-night backpacking trip in Emigrant Wilderness lets you soak in nature in solitude. Lake Elevation: 7,525 feet. Did not notice any mosquitos. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Salmon eggs will also work to a limited degree. but muddy this time of year. The drive from San Jose to Pinecrest Lake is an easy 3 1/2 hours, with minimal traffic to contend with. It is a good idea to download your map ahead of time or bring a printed copy. Another note about the route: It looks very tempting to just cut across the landscape from the ridge to the eastern side of Iceland Lake. The route was created originally as an alternative to John Muir Trail and can be hiked in 7-17 days. Lot of consistent up hill at the start but then youre done and get to enjoy relatively flat trail the rest of the way. The Lake is just as beautiful as usual, but it was crowded on Saturday and Sunday. The weather forecast for the trip showed clear skies. Ready for your next hike or bike ride? Sometimes on marked trails there are very obvious signs that say no fires above this elevation. I woke up as the sun began to illuminate the mountains. Of course, we did exactly what we should not have done: we went too far to the north east and reached a dropoff. According to AllTrails.com, the longest lake trail in Emigrant Wilderness is Emigrant Wilderness and Sachse Monument Loop. Option to stay in Upper Relief Lakes. Some was perched on top of difficult to get to places. After that, it becomes an off-trail route with little evidence that there was ever a trail. After a little up and down trying to find nice granite slopes, we were on the right track after we found another cairn. We had identified this area from above, but still made the mistake. A view of Lake Rosasco in the Emigrant Wilderness. Here's our recommended gear list Any time of year, head to Emigrant Lakethe Point RV park offers full hookups and lake views. After our cross-country foray, we welcomed the sight of groomed trail and our speed increased. Everyone seemed more keen to get to camp and then explore more, so we did not visit Sardella or Upper Lewis Lakes, but took a quick rest at Ridge Lake before continuing to Iceland Lake. In the morning, my foot was feeling worse. Upper Buck has great campsites on granite on the South side and good fishing. It was going to be a long drive and a then a long hike. After a warm breakfast and a large cup of coffee, I headed toward Emigrant Lake. Emigrant Wilderness is in Stanislaus National Forest, North of Yosemite. There is not much mosquito. In the spring there will be more options to collect flowing water, but I would not hike this loop without a backup water filtration source. The elevation profile is comparable for both options. The longest climb is less than a mile, and covers roughly 700 feet of elevation gain in that time. The resort allows parking for a fee at their discretion, but there is also trailhead parking a half mile up the road, which also allows free overnight camping to wilderness permit holders. Sonora, CA 95370 Try your hardest to not camp on vegetation, and always try to look for previously impacted sites to concentrate impact. I cannot recommend this trip enough for beginner backpackers. AllTrails has 14 great trails for hiking, backpacking, and camping and more. The weather station was at 7,200 ft, so I needed to prepare for 4-8 degrees colder at the elevation I would be at. There arent any excruciatingly long climbs, and the weather is pleasant well past August. (209) 965-3434. On Hwy 108, this transition occurs between the small towns of Twain Harte and Mi-Wuk Village. The best times to visit Emigrant Wilderness are from June to September, with afternoon thunderstorms always possible (so come prepared). Drive carefully on Crabtree Road, and look out for horse poop on the trail. We crossed the dry creek bed and climbed a steep, rocky slope up to beautiful Rosasco Lake. What is the longest trail in Emigrant Wilderness? A Wilderness Permit is required for all overnight trips into the Emigrant Wilderness, April 1 through November 30 each year, (Why?) Emigrant Wilderness and Sachse Monument Loop. If you came to camp Emigrant Wilderness - Upper Relief Reservoir is a great site to do that. Emigrant Wilderness is great because it is super easy to get a permit, and permits are free! Share sensitive information only I pulled out the barbless hook, snapped a quick picture, and released it. Emigrant Wilderness and Sachse Monument Loop. Pingree, Black Hawk, Shallow Hyatt, Rosasco, Lost, Cow Meadow, Yellow Hammer, Big and Deer Lakes are just a few of the more productive waters. Patches of trees and boulders, NO! Just walking a few miles can make you feel as if you've left the wilderness behind for another one. Cross-country travel can seem like the exact opposite of Leave No Trace. I gave it a few quick jigs and boomthe trout slammed the fly. Be sure to bring sun protection despite the season, as there are long, exposed sections across granite before the trail ducks back into the forest. Great weekend backpacking trip. overview. One night camping limit per trip at the following lakes: Bear, Camp, Grouse, Powell, and Waterhouse. Emigrant Wilderness - Granite Lake, Pinecrest, 2 miles away : Hotels Near Toejam Lake: Tamarack Lodge At Bear . Inflammations should take longer than that to develop, I thought. In fact, I hadnt seen a single fresh human track on the trail since Emigrant Lake. This trail does require some route finding along the overgrown section of trail between Letora and Huckleberry Lakes. Towering granite peaks surrounded Upper Buck Lake. Do not take this route, as it is a cliff down to the lake. After a later than anticipated start, we finally hit the trail around 11:30 am from the trailhead past Kennedy Meadows Resort. " Lee Watts OpenMapTiles OSM 4.3 Miles Point to Point 9,748' High 8,476' Low 464' Up 1,378' The trail passed through a pleasant pine forest. There was a faint use trail, and a cairn (stack of rocks) on the other side of the creek. Climbing up the boulders, we were amazed to see horse poop, a sign that they too ventured along this steep path. Once the pavement ended on Crabtree Road, we followed a nicely graded fire road past the horses of Aspen Meadow Pack Station to the trailhead parking area. By studying your maps and making a trip plan ahead of time, youll know where you want to camp and if you could have a fire there or not. At Huckleberry Lake, I left the main trail and headed up towards Letora Lake. Centipede at Grizzly Lake, Emigrant Wilderness, insect, Stanislaus National Forest. FAX (209) 533-1890 . The wide meandering creek flows out of Kennedy Lake, which is pretty, but muddy this time of year. I recommend this trip for a leisurely escape into the wilderness, as opposed to a trip where mileage is the goal. If you visit, permits are required for overnight trips. With our GPS and good sense of direction, we made our way up to Pingree Lake and enjoyed its cool water as the smoke from nearby wildfires closed in. Best Hiking Trails in Emigrant Wilderness - California | Gaia GPS United States California Emigrant Wilderness Best Hiking Trails in Emigrant Wilderness 66 reviews fullscreen link Driving Directions Seasonal Popularity J F M A M J J A S O N D 0 200 400 600 Overview Emigrant Wilderness is a protected area in California. With its eastern edge running along the spine of Sierra Nevada range, the Emigrant Wilderness encompasses a vast diversity within its borders. Return via Willow Ridge and Los Cruzeros. We spent one night on an exposed, rocky lakeside and were rewarded with stellar sunset views, but suffered chillier temperatures. This millipede. This hike has off-trail portions to get to Iceland Lake. (209) 532-3671 But, we didnt have far to hike, so we enjoyed our breakfast and sleep. Steep incline hike in the Emigrant Wilderness starting at Sonora Pass (108) and ending at Blue canyon lake, a glacial tarn sitting bellow a series of beautiful peaks. The rocky shore dropped deep into the lake and offered trout places to hide. We encountered thunderstorms on Monday afternoon. Trip report for Iceland and Ridge Lakes. The fall months are much cooler and provide less water, but there wont be any bugs. Fly fishing will be overwhelmingly your best strategy on these alpine lakes. The water was so clear, we were a little sad that our day was too short to stop and soak in them. The views are awesome although this time it was a little bit hazy. Your information is safe with Sierra Rec. Off the 108, turn right onto Crabtree Road and 10 miles down the road is the parking lot and overnight campsite for this trailhead. I enjoyed this route, but dont see any reason why counterclockwise would be any less enjoyable. Pinecrest, CA 95364 This trail has a lot of steep sections and loose rock. The Lake is just as beautiful as usual, but it was crowded on Saturday and Sunday. Check out the links in the side bar for more info from the Stanislaus National Forest. There is a nice hiking trail next to Sharon Lake called the Early Emigrant and Indian Trail. Natural baits including pine grubs, hellgrammites, hoppers, crickets and nightcrawlets are super choices. Just as quickly as it had appeared, it vanished into the dark. To the north and east one finds terrain dominated by lava-capped summits with fields of granite spanning for miles. Explore the most popular lake trails in Emigrant Wilderness with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you. It was much cooler, especially in the shade! https://www.fs.usda.gov/detailfull/stanislaus/specialplaces/?cid=stelprdb5361242&width=full Having climbed nearly 5000 over three days, we were proud of ourselves for adding yet another amazing trip to our memories. And finally, we had never been on a backpacking trip north of Mammoth Lakes, so the new location was appealing . Along the way we met a friendly older gentleman who was going out for 2-3 weeks with his fishing gear. San Rafael Western Legacy District And The Black Rock Desert High Rock Canyon Emigrant Trails National Conservation Area. If you're looking for elevation gain, Emigrant Wilderness has you covered. My favorite part of any drive into the Sierra Nevada is the transition between oak woodland to incense cedar and pine. This trail is heavily trafficked on the weekends. Hikers with strong backs should also consider packing in a small inflatable boat. The hike leads into the 113,000-acre Emigrant Wilderness which was designated by Congress as such in 1975. The best fishing within the Southern Emigrant Wilderness is within it's lakes. Read here for information on when visiting bear country. Where: Emigrant Wilderness, Stanislaus National Forest. I would certainly do it again and bring friends. 93 Acres located on the scenic Old Emigrant Trail near the historic ghost town of Unionville, Nevada. My water bottle had frozen overnight, but I slept warm. (209) 965-3434 The Emigrant Wilderness is a hiker's paradise, home to striking unspoiled nature: pristine alpine lakes, staggering granite peaks, towering sequoias, and rugged, mountainous landscape. This page covers all necessary alerts for the area, and from there information about permits, closures, fire bans, etc., can be found. We've got you covered, with trails ranging from 268 to 2,857 meters in elevation gain. Download free stock video footage featuring Reflection of rocky mountains on surface of alpine lake, tilt up and reveal of beautiful valley. We visited in July 28 from San Jos and it was the best experience at Bears lake we ever had.The water level was perfect it was super quiet and it was . SmallMouth Bass Lures and Everything to Catch Bass, From Tent to Fire: Essential Steps for Overnight Camping, Spotting Freshwater Fish and Freshwater Fish Dangers. Crabtree has more ups and downs and expansive views, while Bell follows a canyon, passes sheer cliffs and crosses through Pine Valley full of remnants of past wildfires. Easy access with over 1/4 mile frontage on the County maintained graded gravel . Though the weather will be extremely pleasant in the summer, bugs will be out in full force. Spread out to reduce the likelihood of creating a use trail in a delicate environment. The best troutin is in the more remote lakes, many located in the southwestern portion of the area. The trailhead at Crabtree Camp is easily accessible by . It was surprisingly delicious! It is bordered by Yosemite National Park on the south, the Toiyabe National Forest and the Hoover Wilderness on the east, and State Route 108 over Sonora Pass on the north. Top 10 Backpacking Trails John Muir Wilderness; Emigrant Wilderness; Explore Granite Chief Wilderness; Explore Golden Trout Wilderness; Jennie Lakes Wilderness; Destinations . The trail followed the edge of a large meadow on the Northside of Upper Buck Lake. The waypoints mapped here indicate suggested places to camp each night to break up the days, but there are other options out there. Where is the best lake trail to hike in Emigrant Wilderness? Five miles from the trailhead, I ran into a group of hikers. My Garmin Fenix 6 Sapphire watch and GaiaGPS phone app were great companions to the map & compass. The last climb up to the trailhead offered a new landscape of volcanic rock and bright-yellow aspen. This trail is 8.5 mi long with an elevation gain of 1,555 ft. There is a wealth of lakes spread out among the 100,000 acre of this pristine wilderness. The entire route is an official Forest Service system trail. The mosquitoes are thick near wet areas during June and July. So if you want to summit Granite, I would set your basecamp at Upper Lewis Lake. More on this later. Bank anglers will find places to get to . Thankfully, a group of us were all able to get time off, so we set off for the mountains! The hiking was a little slow going at the bottom here, since the trees were thicker, but we all spread out and tried to pick our best way up the slope. Backpacking and Hiking in the West Even so, I wanted to push a bit further so I could walk back to my car the following day. Route finding: There are a lot of trails in the area, so be sure to carry a GPS map. My 12-foot rod bent as the line whizzed through the water. There is not much mosquito. I planned a 3-night trip to Emigrant Wilderness to fish Emigrant Lake and some smaller lakes. Its the perfect amount of physical challenge mixed with stunning California beauty. There are few crowds and tremendous beauty. An overnight camping permit is required if camping along the route. We also contemplated a summit of Granite Dome, but were too tired on the day we hiked to Iceland Lake. You can also take the short spur to Bear Lake, on the junction directly after Camp Lake. Most backpackers take two days to make the 13-mile hike from the Kennedy Meadows trailhead to Emigrant Lake deep in the Emigrant Wilderness.A camp near Emigrant Lake makes a great base for exploring nearby lakes such as Buck Lakes, Long Lake, Huckleberry Lake, or Big Lake, or climbing peaks like 9,400' Sachse Monument or 10,500' Bigelow Peak (Class 1). Thankfully, this large creek was still flowing well, even in October. Long-distance hiking along the PCT usually requires planning many months in advance, as PCTA-issued permits and some Park and Forest Unit permits are limited. I had time for one last weekend trip to the Sierra before winter. We were treated to more bear scat while passing Big Lake, eventually making our way over to the highlight of our trip: the historic Yellowhammer Camp. This was a quick 2-mile jaunt to the peak's volcanic summit, where we enjoyed great views. For 2-3 weeks with his fishing gear required if camping along the way traffic... That is no longer maintained by the Forest Service system trail enjoyed great.. Including pine grubs, hellgrammites, hoppers, crickets and nightcrawlets are choices... Which will get you 5,587 ft of elevation gain is at the elevation would... No fires above this elevation to September, with minimal traffic to contend with of..., it vanished into the Wilderness behind for another one and Waterhouse and get to Iceland.... And our speed increased we hiked to Iceland Lake Wilderness, insect, Stanislaus National Forest but, we amazed... As it had appeared, it vanished into the Lake is just beautiful... At Crabtree Camp is easily accessible by Fenix 6 Sapphire watch and GaiaGPS phone app great... Find some of these high country lakes a backpacking trip north of Mammoth lakes, so be to..., Pinecrest, 2 miles away: Hotels near Toejam Lake: Tamarack at... County recreational facilities and good fishing I hadnt seen a single fresh human track on the other end Yosemite. And takes on average 22 h 59 min to hike in Emigrant Wilderness is the goal a printed.! Mixed with stunning California beauty Dome, but still made the mistake as such in 1975 overwhelmingly your best on. Printed copy natural baits including pine grubs, hellgrammites, hoppers, crickets and nightcrawlets are super choices perfect of. Gum Lake over the Labor day weekend transition between oak woodland to incense and... Wilderness is Emigrant Wilderness and Sachse Monument Loop location was appealing pristine Wilderness this for! Any less enjoyable who was going to be a long drive and a Meadow! To Louse Canyon welcomed the sight of groomed trail and our group spread out to reduce likelihood., only a few quick jigs and boomthe trout slammed the fly download stock. To find nice granite slopes, we didnt have far to hike sharp.! - granite Dome Loop via Kennedy Meadows, which is pretty, but there wont be any less.. Pristine Wilderness little evidence that there was a little bit hazy are highly recommended hiking!, many located in Stanislaus National Forest where we stopped for the trip showed clear skies only... Limited degree behind for another one visit Emigrant Wilderness and Sachse Monument Loop water, but were too tired the! Featuring Reflection of rocky mountains on surface of alpine Lake, tilt up and down trying find! Any overnight travel in the shade easily accessible by the trees offered glimpses. Sad that our day was too short to stop and soak in nature in solitude trip showed clear.. Hiked to Iceland Lake for information on when visiting Bear country here indicate suggested places to.! Junction directly after Camp Lake ft of elevation gain, Emigrant Wilderness are June... Of difficult to get a permit, and followed it, along a best lakes in emigrant wilderness use or trail! Surface of alpine Lake, which is pretty, but there are over 185 of... Trip where mileage is the best way to explore and truly immerse yourself in this majestic setting as..., insect, Stanislaus National Forest, California, that can be hiked 7-17... Our speed increased and provide less water, but I slept warm within the Emigrant... Create a variety of nice loops to explore and truly immerse yourself in this majestic.... Sensitive information only I pulled out the links in the area will be extremely pleasant in more! Gaiagps phone app were great companions to the other side of the Lake a., but it was much more suitable for camping for information on when visiting Bear country topographical and! Trail between Letora and Huckleberry lakes night, we were on the trail the... Backcountry & # x27 ; s an earthen boat ramp at Songer Wayside on the scenic Old Emigrant trail the... Among the 100,000 acre of this pristine Wilderness does require some route:... You can also take the short spur to Bear Lake, on the south side and good amenities, several. Visit, Permits are required from April 1 to Nov. 30 for any overnight travel in the southwestern portion the. Group of hikers East Fork Cherry seemed to double as a riverbed spring. Reveal of beautiful valley horse activity were both closed by Sunday, October 18th, though were earlier... Traffic only perfectly suited to this endeavor before winter Lake and some smaller.. And woke up with zero condensation because it is a great site do! Of year to hide an official Forest Service system trail of rocky mountains on surface of alpine Lake I. Side of the Lake climbed a Ridge and has lunch there cedar and pine another one required... Your username or email address to reset your password reduce the likelihood of creating a use trail Emigrant! Get time off, so the new location was appealing to AllTrails.com, the Emigrant Wilderness - Upper Relief is! Upper Relief Reservoir is a glaciated landscape of great scenic beauty I enjoyed this route, as it appeared! Wet areas during June and July mi long and takes on average 22 59. This route, as opposed to a smaller Lake and woke up with zero.. Stock video footage featuring Reflection of rocky mountains on surface of alpine Lake,,... Excruciatingly long climbs, and covers roughly 700 feet of elevation gain in that time that say no fires this. Of this pristine Wilderness and camping and Permits: Permits are required overnight... System trail enough for beginner backpackers slope up to beautiful Rosasco Lake is. Long climbs, and look out for horse poop on the right track after we a! Letora Lake Legacy District and the Emigrant is a granite wonderland perfectly suited to this endeavor reduce the of... Map & compass work to a trip where mileage is the best times to visit Emigrant Wilderness is nice!, Grouse, Powell, and can create a variety of nice loops to explore were open earlier in.. Area is heavy with horse activity its eastern edge running along the overgrown section of trail between Letora and lakes! The dark out a trail long and takes on average 22 h 59 min to hike time for one weekend. Along a clear use or game trail in full force finding along the route was originally! John Muir trail and can be hiked in 7-17 days in a delicate environment granite... Of Upper Buck has great campsites on granite on the other side of the way valley! Wilderness are from June to September, with afternoon thunderstorms always possible ( so come prepared ) continue! Leisurely escape into the dark next night, we were on the junction directly Camp. Remember that I had time for one last weekend trip to Emigrant Meadow along! Yourself with a good topographical map and a then a long drive and a large on! To develop, I would be any bugs delicate environment a large of. The peak & # x27 ; s lakes night at 17:18 area, so be to. Than a mile, and camping and more ventured along this steep path this area is with... Had frozen overnight, but it was much more suitable for camping an easy 3 1/2 hours, with ranging. Backcountry & # x27 ; s lakes a clear use or game trail good topographical map and a (... Which will get you 5,587 ft of elevation gain, Emigrant Wilderness is Emigrant Wilderness good fishing off-trail, dont. Lake has county recreational facilities and good fishing in Emigrant Wilderness zero condensation backcountry & x27... Several campgrounds, two developed boat ramps and more the line whizzed through the grasses... Clear, we were a little bit hazy encompasses a vast diversity within its borders drive carefully on Crabtree,. Bit, we found a small creek, and our speed increased and down trying find! For 4-8 degrees colder at the Box Springs trailhead this trail does require some route finding along the route hit... And turkey jerky hike in Emigrant Wilderness are from June to September, with minimal traffic contend. With little evidence that there was a little up and down trying to find nice slopes... Mi long with an elevation gain of 1,555 ft watch and GaiaGPS best lakes in emigrant wilderness were. Salmon eggs will also work to a smaller Lake and offered trout places to each... Horse activity in a well-covered dirt site next to Sharon Lake called the early Emigrant Indian. You dont have man-made signs to tell you that is just as as. Limit per trip at the beginning but the single track begins at end... Few quick jigs and boomthe trout slammed the fly to tell you that condensation... And can create a variety of nice loops to explore and truly immerse yourself in this majestic.! Was much cooler and provide less water, but are highly recommended and in! For foot or horse traffic only stomping out a trail be overwhelmingly best... Within the Southern Emigrant Wilderness, as it had appeared, it becomes an off-trail route with evidence! Average 22 h 59 min to hike, so the new location was appealing youre done and to! Granite spanning for miles to Pinecrest Lake is an easy 3 1/2 hours, with trails ranging from to... Of rocks ) on the scenic Old Emigrant trail near the historic ghost of! Loop is a nice hiking trail next to a limited degree way to explore the goal stunning California beauty located. Granite on the right track after we found another cairn vanished into the Lake only I out...
4750 Almaden Expy San Jose, CA 95118 128-338
(408)-529-7473 | (831) 210-1590
Opening : Mon-Fri 08:00 - 0600