Emigrant Lake Backpack Trail Across the Heart of the Emigrant Wilderness. Day 5: We will choose from various options: either make our way to Wire Lakes or continue to explore the many enticing lakes of this basin and/or another fork of Cherry Creek. Regardless of destination, this section of trail involves detailed route finding based on topography. Campsite elevation: 7,600 feet. Whoops! Viewing 6 posts - 1 through 6 (of 6 total) Forums are supported by our merchant partners . Please provide your own one-quart snack bag which must weigh no more than one pound. Our work is accomplished by volunteers and aided by salaried staff, encouraging grassroots involvement. There are currently no trips planned. June through October are the best times weather-wise to visit Emigrant Wilderness; however, the trail does tend to open in May when the snow has cleared the roads. Campsite elevation: 7,600 feet. Yes, it took a 21 mile horse pack trip to find it. From Reno, NV: It is about 150 miles southwest of Reno via I-580, US-395 and CA-108. Although the east side of the lake might appear to be accessible there is a large cliff and you cannot reach the west shore. Emigrant Wilderness-Huckleberry Lake W ords, and even pictures, cannot capture the beauty of the Emigrant Wilderness, we visited recently. With its eastern edge running along the spine of Sierra Nevada range, the Emigrant Wilderness encompasses a vast diversity within its borders. We hike to the sometimes raging west fork. Added by Greg Balkin. Emigrant Wilderness-Huckleberry Lake W ords, and even pictures, cannot capture the beauty of the Emigrant Wilderness, we visited recently. You must have the ability to hike up to 8 miles per day at high elevation with a backpack weighing as much as 40 pounds. No Swimming or Wading in Crystal Lake. The Emigrant is most easily accessible from Hwy 108 past the town of Twain Harte with many visitors entering from near Pinecrest Lake or Kennedy Meadows. Emigrant Wilderness is located between Yosemite National Park and Lake Tahoe in the Sierra Nevadas. Toejam Lake 8.5 Long Lake 11.6 Deer Lake 12.3 Buck Lake 13.9 Wood Lake 14.0 16.3 Emigrant Lake 16.9 Huckleberry Lake 21.1 Trailhead: Crabtree Huckleberry Lake 19.1 Elevation: 7,160’ Destination Trail 1.8Miles Lake Valley Trail 0.1 Backpacking in the Emigrant Wilderness! On day 5 of our trip we would return via Pine Valley from the right. Dogs. Lake is fishless.Deer Lake: 19 acre lake at 8461' elevation. The Hike: Piute Lake (Emigrant Wilderness in the Sierra Nevada mountains) Trailhead: Crabtree (In and out with lollipop loop) Duration: 3 days 2 nights Length: 16 miles (13 additional miles for the day hike) Elevation Gain: 1600 ft (1,100' additional gain for the day hike) The Pack: Osprey Exos 58 Sleep System: my favorite set up –… Monday morning brought us another sunny day. We will generally hike between four and seven miles per day. After setting up camp we went in the water, explored around the north side for some epic sights, and climbed the small peak on the south end for nice birds eye views. You can read about my most recent pack trip, to Emigrant Lake, on my blog: www.leehaskin.blogspot.com Unfortunately, the Brookies, although big, are taking over this amazing Rainbow fishery. Desert Hiking and Wildflowers in Joshua Tree National Park, California, 20s and 30s Secrets of Kanab Creek, Grand Canyon, Arizona, Ancient Trails off the South Rim, Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona, http://www.knapsack.org/basic_equipment.html, Enchanted Day Hikes in a Desert Paradise, Arizona, National Outings Training Trip: Base Camp Superstition Wilderness, Arizona, Canoeing the Scenic Rio Grande River and Hiking in Big Bend National Park, Texas, Privacy Policy/Your California Privacy Rights, Visit, swim, and relax by sparkling alpine lakes. Continue up this more gradual section until you reach the lake. Emigrant Wilderness, Kennedy Lake trek. to Chewing Gum Lakepasses among wildflowers and … Experience in cross-country backpacking is not required, but hiking on rough, rocky terrain can prove challenging if you are not physically and mentally prepared. During our trip, we will discuss how these issues impact the Emigrant and also share experiences from other parts of the country. Elevation loss: 1,000 feet. So we settled on Toejam Lake in the Emigrant Wilderness. At 172,000 acres, this is the second largest protected wilderness in not just the Adirondacks, but in all the northeastern United States. Check back soon. Day 4: We enjoy a layover day, providing the opportunity to explore the numerous lakes of this basin and climbing ridgetops to check out the expansive views south into Yosemite and beyond. Best Time – Summer through Fall Special Conditions – High water in creeks, mosquitoes in early summer, popular. We will provide meals starting with breakfast at the campground; the last meal will be a quick lunch on our last day. The Gem Lake Loop is located in Emigrant Wilderness, which borders Stanislaus National Forest and Yosemite National Park, and offers incredible views, smaller crowds, and diverse terrain. The Emigrant Wilderness is one of the best-kept secrets of the High Sierra. All photos and stories are my own and are not to be used or copied without permission. Headed to Crabtree Trail, and took the trail to Camp Lake. I haven’t adventured much off of Sonora Pass, so I immediately said yes! Distance: seven miles. The smile … Campfires are prohibited in the Mokelumne Wilderness above 8000 feet and within ¼ mile of the high water line (3949 feet) at Salt Springs Reservoir. It's not a fishing lake, but it can have spectacular sunsets and offers good swimming. 7 miles roundtrip with a 500 foot elevation gain. At the top of this saddle is little Sardella Lake, a morale-boosting milestone that means you are just a short hike from spectacular Upper Lewis Lake. I planned a 3-night trip to Emigrant Wilderness to fish Emigrant Lake and some smaller lakes. Off-trail sections of the trip are not foreseen to be overly difficult but may require patience and good balance. This page goes into more detail on the off-trail routes to each lake. 7 miles roundtrip with a 500 foot elevation gain. Elevation gain: 800 feet. Our six-day on- and off-trail journey to remote lakes of the Emigrant Wilderness traverses a glacially sculpted landscape with broad granite expanses, rushing mountain streams and deep canyons. The United States Congress designated the Emigrant Wilderness in 1975. We are concerned about the conservation and sustainability of resources, both locally and globally. As this is the time of year with the shortest days we made camp pretty soon. Wilderness permits are required. I’ve used all of these phrases at one time or another to describe the fly-fishing in the Emigrant Wilderness. The best troutin’ is in the more remote lakes, many located in the southwestern portion of the area. Elevation loss: 1,500 feet. Fun Facts. You'll need a permit for this loop so make sure to stop by the Summit District Ranger Station in Pinecrest to … Please do not make non-refundable travel arrangements until notified to do so by the trip leader. Elevation gain: 1,600 feet. You can enter Emigrant from Yosemtie (Boundary Lake), Hwy 108 (Crabtree, Gianelli Cabin, and Kennedy Meadows), or the Sonora Pass… Powell Lake via Gianelli Trail. 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. Advised not to use pack goats in Bighorn Sheep habitat. If you are not in good shape, you simply won't have a good time. Tom Harrison Trail Maps Emigrant Wilderness, available at outdoor stores, Amazon or at, USGS Topo 7.5 Minute Quads: Pinecrest, Cooper Peak, Emigrant Lake. Traversing these little-used trails will require some route finding as we make our way to our camp at one of these enticing lakes. From the south, the wilderness is accessible from Cherry Lake, along the border with Yosemite National Park. It is an elongated area that extends northeast about 25 miles (40 km) in length and up to 15 miles (24 km) in width. Granite peaks and domes soar to 10,000 and 11,000-foot elevations. Software Assurance and Technology Consulting. But the West Canada Lake Wilderness is a rare blending of mountain and water, with no true equal anywhere in eastern North America, if not beyond: a galaxy of little lakes, all held up on a high-elevation plateau and surrounded by a lush temperate forest. Go for a cold dip in the water. The lakes described here are all within close proximity to each other and given that they are off-trail you are not likely to run into many other campers. We fished several surrounding Lakes for 7 days and caught over a dozen big browns and rainbows (16-24") having our best luck DEEP within Emigrant Lake. Emigrant Lake is a magnificent destination for an extended Emigrant Wilderness adventure. Elevation loss: 1,000 feet. Day 1: We will meet in the late afternoon near Pinecrest to decompress, check our gear, review our route/trip procedures, and get acquainted over dinner (bring your own). Fishing. I haven’t adventured much off of Sonora Pass, so I immediately said yes! Something went wrong. We started off at the Gianelli Cabin trailhead (elevation 8580’) behind the Pinecrest Ranger Station late Friday afternoon. Backpacking emigrant wilderness to buck lake. Home › Forums › Campfire › Post-Trip Reports › Emigrant Wilderness, Iceland Lake. Another Great Pack Trip into Emigrant Wilderness It is amazing we enjoy some of the most pristine country, anywhere, and a horse pack trip is perhaps the best fishing value, for quality trout fishing. Livestock-grazing was in practice at this time and thus was grandfathered into the wilderness management plan. Over the 4th of July weekend, my friend Blair invited me out on a girls’ only trip out to Granite Lake in Emigrant Wilderness. Camping in the Stanislaus National Forest for more than 14 consecutive days is also prohibited. And we met about ninety people and fifteen dogs on our first day's hike. :-) This trip, we decided to go in to Granite Lake, which is sort of off-trail, though not by huge amounts. 3. Crabtree Camp. Elevation gain: 1,000 feet. U.S. Forest Service - Wilderness. Whether you carry your own pack or arrange to be packed in by Kennedy Meadows Pack Station, Emigrant Lake is the perfect basecamp for exploring the dozens of lakes scattered about the wilderness just north of Yosemite … Our most common outings were in Emigrant Wilderness in the Stanislaus National Forest northwest of Yosemite. It's only a 3.5 hour drive from San Francisco, and borders Yosemite. Sturdy, fully broken-in boots providing good support with rubber lug soles are optimal. Please email. From Oakland, CA: Pinecrest is about 150 miles east of Oakland via I-580, CA-120, and CA-108. PCT + TYT Hook the two routes cited above together. 5-star camping at Upper Buck Lake. Day 7: We heat out to Crabtree trailhead, arriving around mid-day. The Sierra Club Seal is a registered copyright, service mark, and trademark of the Sierra Club. We camped on the north end of the lake. Emigrant Wilderness . Expansive views await us from the ridges before we settle into a pleasant lakeside campsite. There are epic views of Lower Lewis Lake, several hundred feet below. No Camping at Crystal Lake, or Hall Natural Area (includes Conness Lakes, Wasco, Alpine, Green Treble, Maul, Spuller, Big Horn, and Fantail Lakes). ... but in my opinion, the area along the northwestern boundary of Yosemite, including the Emigrant Wilderness side, is perhaps the most beautiful area in the Sierras. Our first clue was the more than fifty cars at the trailhead. Emigrant Wilderness. Hoover Wilderness: No Campfires in 20 Lakes Basin north of Saddlebag Lake. Sunday morning, we ventured on our snowshoes into Emigrant Wilderness. So early season short hikes are to get us … It’s a quick and flat walk and passes a smaller unnamed lake on the way. The streams are subject to heavy runoff from the winter snows and the streambeds are scoured leaving little habitat for much insect activity. Afternoon thunderstorms, with sudden cloudbursts of wind, rain, hail, and even snow, are not uncommon. Upon our arrival at the trailhead Saturday morning we were beginning to question our decision. A Moderate Hike among Wildflowers Chewing Gum Lakeis a beautiful little camping spot not far inside the Emigrant Wilderness. Keep this in mind and don’t get discouraged. Most planned single-day elevation gains are less than 1,500 feet. Just back from a wonderful trip this last weekend, leaving from Crabtree Cabin for a series of lakes in the backcountry of Emigrant Wilderness: four days, 34 miles, great views, and some fun adventures. June through October are the best times weather-wise to visit Emigrant Wilderness; however, the trail does tend to open in May when the snow has cleared the roads. Nearly 2,000 feet deep, Crater Lake, in southern Oregon, is the deepest … We may encounter snowfields and challenging stream crossings. Whereas we may encounter no livestock grazing on our trip, grazing and other “resource management” activities have been controversial in the Emigrant. For the second year in a row though, fishing was almost a dud. Be prepared for any extremes on this trip: daily temperatures can exceed 80 degrees and can fall into the 30s at night. From the south, the wilderness is accessible from Cherry Lake, along the border with Yosemite National Park. Recent backpacking experience is recommended and good physical conditioning is essential. The Emigrant Wilderness is predominantly a wild trout fishery, although some of the small lakes are stocked annually to supplement natural reproduction. Over the 4th of July weekend, my friend Blair invited me out on a girls’ only trip out to Granite Lake in Emigrant Wilderness. Day 2: Crabtree Trailhead to West Fork of Cherry Creek. Sierra Club National Outings is an equal-opportunity provider and when applicable will operate under permits obtained from U.S. federal land agencies. The large lake appeared to be an infinity pool at the north end, dropping off to panoramic views of Relief Reservoir and the surrounding area. share Share . The formula says- second weekend in June + Emigrant Wilderness = brook trout on dry … Flexibility and good cheer in the event of itinerary changes is essential. 5.9 mi 9.6 km #1 Big Island, Bear and Peninsula Lake Route. Activities. Wilderness Permits. The first night will be spent at a campground near Pinecrest. r/backpacking. Chewing Gum Lake via Gianelli Trail. Iceland Lake was the most scenic campground in my opinion! It is about 50 miles east of Sonora off Hwy 108. It is located in the Emigrant Wilderness which is just 4 hours outside of San Francisco. Trip participants are encouraged to arrive in the area one or two days before the trip in order to begin high elevation acclimatization. The Emigrant Wilderness of Stanislaus National Forest is a wilderness area in the Sierra Nevada.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. Difficult . The parking area was packed. Distance: six to eight miles (a couple of miles cross-country). PCT Sonora Pass to Dorothey Lake Pass 17.48 miles. A quick 3-day trip out to the Emigrant Wilderness' Gem Lake in Stanislaus National Forest. 27 reviews link Copy Link. Coming from the east side the easiest (and perhaps only non-technical) route comes directly from Ridge Lake. This trip is rated 3 out of 5, where 1 denotes the least difficult trip and 5 denotes the most difficult, as we will be experiencing significant elevation gain and loss at high altitude, both on- and off-trail. A one-quart water bottle is required as a minimum, but a capacity of two or more quarts is recommended. Map routes are a combination of GPS data and manually created waypoints and should be used for reference only. Hiking Trails (31) Reviews (27) 1. A spring day at Piute Lake in the Emigrant Wilderness ~Photo: Adam Barnett. It was unbelievably beautiful, had tons of trout for fishing, and was a prime starting point to summit Granite Dome. The best wild trout action usually comes from the larger glaciated lakes with quality spawning areas and enough inflow to support good prey populations. We made this mistake and ended up hiking over that entire peak at the end of an already long day! Group cooking gear and bear-proof food containers, Sierra Club® and "Explore, enjoy and protect the planet"® are registered trademarks of the Sierra Club. More specific directions will be sent in correspondence between the leader and participants. Toejam lakes Emigrant Lake and is fishless.Red can Lake: 4 acres at 8296 ' elevation ords, and routes. Day 6: on our last night, we will provide meals starting with at! Mark, and grays of basaltic and pumice stone with glacially polished Granite vistas inflow support... No secret spot hoover Wilderness: Gem Lake Loop Skip to entry content comes the! Return via pine Valley from the south side of the small lakes are stocked annually to supplement natural.! The perfect place for both novice and experienced campers camped on the way was... 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