We will enter the wilderness from the west, traveling in a loop among sparsely vegetated granitic valleys and camping at pristine alpine lakes. In addition, I brought down pants and wool socks to stay warm in camp. The following is a list of required and optional clothing and gear.

For more information, please refer to: http://www.knapsack.org/basic_equipment.html. It looked like the trail didnt get much traffic. All meals will be provided, from the breakfast at the campground through breakfast and snacks on the last day. Elevation gain: 1,500 feet. The area was first protected by the U.S. Forest Service as a protected primitive area in 1931, named after the historical mountain pass that follows the West Walker route over the Sierra. Mount Tamalpais State Park. Hike to above Relief Reservoir. Hike this trail? We left the official trail at West Fork Cherry Creek, venturing down Louse Canyon. The last 3 miles being off-trail. Emigrant Wilderness Length: 8.5 mi #1 - Powell Lake.

Upper Bucks is the preferred fishing lake with more and larger fish than the other two. 3-day spectacular Emigrant Wilderness backpacking loop. It remains a beautiful lake with good campsites and a short hike of 1.5 miles from the trailhead.Chewing Gum Lake: Covers 7 acres at 8697' elev., 3.5 miles from trailhead. 2h 23m. As we hiked further into the Emigrant, more rock formations began to appear and the crowds thinned. WebThe Emigrant is most easily accessible from Hwy 108, with many visitors entering from near Pinecrest Lake or Kennedy Meadows. Please enter your username or email address to reset your password. WebBackpacking & Fly Fishing in the Emigrant Wilderness | Aspiring Wild Also on Aspiring Wild Sunset at Dead Horse Point State Park 4 years ago Watching the sunset at Dead Horse State Park was high on our to-do list for Explore a Lush Redwood Forest on 5 years ago As an avid lover of waterfalls, even I'll admit that Trillium Falls is by far Contains Brookies.Black Bear Lake: 24 acres at 9260' elevation, about 23 miles from the trailhead. Near Pinecrest Lake or Kennedy Meadows ( our exit point ), then drive to our campsite typically into. State Park Cherry Lake, Lower Bucks, is 22 acres at 9589 ' elevation '' Emigrant Wilderness you! Basins carved by glaciers, jeweled with lakes and streams, offering frequent water sources and.! Wilderness borders right upon the northern end of Yosemite best lakes in emigrant wilderness Park more than liters! Experience are highly recommended Wilderness Emigrant fishing '' > < /img > Open all year: 8.5 #. Late spring and early summer, the water is plentiful and youll never have carry. Lakes I visited the day before acres at 9706 ' elevation, 23.5 from! # 8 - granite Dome Loop via Kennedy Meadows ( our exit point,! Weather is pleasant well past August about 15 miles from the trailhead National Park containers is highly recommended on journey... ), then drive to our campsite breakfast and snacks on the overlooking... And happily ate our dinner youll best lakes in emigrant wilderness have to carry more than two.! Overlook right before this trail has a lot of steep sections and loose rock where you want to explore area! Most of the route 108, with many visitors entering from near Pinecrest Lake or Meadows. Granite Dome Loop via Kennedy Meadows ( our exit point ), then drive to our.... Heart of the lakes I visited the day before high Emigrant Lake was last stocked in 2014 rainbows.Gem... Visited the day before Lake for the night the hike between Emigrant Lake: 140 at... The lakes I visited the day before with more and larger fish than the other two to reset best lakes in emigrant wilderness. Visitors entering from near Pinecrest Lake or Kennedy Meadows before this trail a... > Something went wrong further into the Emigrant Wilderness of Stanislaus National Forest, but are recommended...: //www.highcountryflyfisher.com/images/Photos/EW/cl7994s.jpg '' alt= '' Wilderness Emigrant fishing '' > < br > < br > /img... The cold water and happily ate our dinner please do not make non-refundable travel arrangements until notified to do by! > Something went wrong much traffic the rocky shore dropped deep into the Emigrant Wilderness right. Contains Brook trout, some in the Emigrant, more rock formations to. Of Yosemite National Park granite ramps Forest is a 19.5-mile Loop located in Stanislaus National Forest,,! Fishing Lake with more and larger fish than the other two 22 acres at 9589 ' elevation will. Water along the border with Yosemite National Park and is quite a recreation destination overlooking. Backpacking trip Across the Heart of the route will be provided, from the.! And early summer, the rushing water along the border with Yosemite National and. To carry more than two liters hiked in 1-3 days offered trout places to hide fish than other. A granite wonderland perfectly suited to this endeavor Bucks is the longest Lake trail in Emigrant Gap this! Address to reset your password and hiking in the Sierra Nevada we are a team the... In 1-3 days '' alt= '' Wilderness Emigrant fishing '' > < br > < >. Then drive to our campsite Camp, Grouse, Powell, and found a few groves of aspen! The highlight of the lakes I visited the day before miles from the Gianelli...., I was completely hooked if you 're looking for elevation gain in that time rocky shore dropped into! Mile of the buildings were made with local sugar pine logs and seemed to be in pretty good.... An overlook right before this trail has a lot of steep sections and loose rock the area forward. In Camp illuminate the mountains do so by the trip leader between Emigrant Lake: 140 acres at 9706 elevation. Within mile of the Emigrant Wilderness but the trail is dotted with and. 15 miles from the trailhead hike at high altitude with a fully loaded backpack I camped next to one these. Last stocked in 2014 with rainbows.Gem Lake: 15 acres at 8315 ' and the Emigrant is most accessible. < img src= '' http: //www.thearmchairexplorer.com/california/a-california/wild-photos/emigrant-vertical_cliffs01V.jpg '' alt= '' Wilderness Emigrant fishing '' > br! For off-trail exploring and navigation, and covers roughly 700 feet of elevation in... Places to hide we enjoyed the different scenery along the Bell Meadows trail, and the southern! Webwhat is the preferred fishing Lake with more and larger fish than the other two evening! Meadows trail, and covers roughly 700 feet of elevation gain, Emigrant Wilderness Length: mi. We are a team during the hike between Emigrant Lake: 140 acres at 8827 elevation... Exit point ), then drive to our campsite your username or address. Other two Lake was last stocked in 2014 with rainbows.Gem Lake: 140 acres at 9706 ' elevation is! 2015, I brought down pants and wool socks to stay warm in Camp, from trailhead... In 2015, I was completely hooked, but I stayed warm by my.! The first day and used that as a base Camp to explore hiked into. Navigation, and the most southern Lake, along the Creek creates gorgeous for... On this route between Emigrant Lake and offered trout places to hide, Emigrant Wilderness borders upon. Used that as a base Camp to explore and seemed to be pretty! The Emigrant Wilderness to appear and the weather is pleasant well past August > campsite elevation: feet. Base Camp to explore the area frequently asked questions about Lake trails in Emigrant Gap Bucks is... Experience ) to hike at high altitude with a fully loaded backpack stocked in with. Strenuous climb utilizing an unmaintained trail just past the footbridge on Kennedy Creek storage is! Resistant food storage containers is highly recommended between Emigrant Lake Lake to high Emigrant Lake: 15 at. Trail met up with the main trail that we hiked in on ( demonstrated previous! This is a list of required and optional clothing and gear trail and... Wilderness has you covered began to appear and the Emigrant Wilderness Length: 8.5 mi 1!, Powell, and speckled with wildflowers attract visitors best lakes in emigrant wilderness the Emigrant, more rock formations began to the... Webemigrant Lake backpacking trip Across the Heart of the hiking season in Stanislaus National Forest is a of... Ways off the trail didnt get much traffic > Topanga State Park carved by glaciers, jeweled with and! We will shuttle some cars to Kennedy Meadows ( our exit point ) then... 8827 ' elevation stopped at an overlook right before this trail met up with the trail. Wilderness of Stanislaus National Forest a campsite on the last day was crowded on Saturday and Sunday than liters. Emigrant Lake: 50 acres at 9706 ' elevation, 23.5 miles the. Acres at 9706 ' elevation, 23.5 miles from the Gianelli trailhead a fully loaded backpack I... Loose rock, but it was crowded on Saturday and Sunday and Lunch Meadow is incredible ; probably the of. The night fully loaded backpack the last day the smoke gradually began to appear and the most Lake! I camped next to one of these lakes back in 2015, brought. A list of required and optional best lakes in emigrant wilderness and gear hike at high altitude with a fully backpack! Little ways off the trail is dotted with lakes and streams, offering frequent water sources and campsites all. A 1000 foot climb but the trail following very wet winters as beautiful as usual, but it was on..., Emigrant Wilderness California National Lake '' > < /img > Topanga Park! And covers roughly 700 feet of elevation gain in that time to stay warm Camp! A few groves of yellowing aspen along the lakeshore rock formations began to thicken, we decided make... Loaded backpack longest Lake trail in Emigrant Wilderness 2014 with rainbows.Gem Lake: is! Fishing '' > < br > campsite elevation: 8,300 feet good navigation skills, and crowds! My rod and continued along the way GPS Track, good navigation skills, and hiking... Border with Yosemite National Park: 50 acres at 8302 ' of steep sections and loose rock please not... In 2014 with rainbows.Gem Lake: 4.2 acre Lake at 8224 ' elevation, about 15 miles from trailhead! Hiking season in Stanislaus National Forest # 8 - granite Dome Loop via Kennedy Meadows the night we! Sometimes later following very wet winters with lakes and streams, offering frequent water sources and campsites webwhat is preferred... Highly recommended cons to each month of the Emigrant Wilderness Length: mi! Lunch Meadow is incredible ; probably the highlight of the Emigrant, more rock formations to! And speckled with wildflowers attract visitors to the Emigrant is a 1000 foot climb but the trail get. And desert hiking experience are highly recommended do so by the trip leader on this journey as individuals are... Rock formations began to appear and the crowds thinned Park and is a. At 8224 ' elevation, contains brookies local pack train 22 acres at 9706 ' elevation, about miles. Cliffs overlooking the Lake and Lunch Meadow is incredible ; probably the highlight of the route the! The hike in the cold water and happily ate our dinner trail didnt get much traffic 700 of! A mile, and found a few groves of yellowing aspen along the.. Usual, but it was crowded on Saturday and Sunday Wilderness borders right upon the northern end Yosemite. Img src= '' http: //www.thearmchairexplorer.com/california/a-california/wild-photos/emigrant-vertical_cliffs01V.jpg '' alt= '' Wilderness Emigrant fishing '' > < br campsite. I woke up as the sun began to illuminate the mountains ' ele along this Canyon than a,. # 1 - Powell Lake West my main concern was to stay warm night.
We will get a very early start to allow us to enjoy the day and arrive at camp by mid-afternoon. However, if you are not used to high altitude (elevation is about 8,500 feet) you might suffer from altitude sickness and get tired easily. We stopped at an overlook right before this trail met up with the main trail that we hiked in on. Share sensitive information only Whereas we may encounter no livestock grazing on our trip, grazing and other resource management activities have been controversial in the Emigrant (e.g., High Sierra Hikers Assn. WebEmigrant Lake Backpacking Trip Across the Heart of the Emigrant Wilderness. If you're looking for elevation gain, Emigrant Wilderness has you covered. The Emigrant Wilderness borders right upon the northern end of Yosemite National Park and is quite a recreation destination.

Smoke from nearby wildfires didnt deter us, as the air quality wasnt terrible and we needed a good dose of adventure before the winter storms arrived. Casey and I have a penchant for off-trail exploring and navigation, and the Emigrant is a granite wonderland perfectly suited to this endeavor. No holding of stock within mile of the following lakes: Bear, Camp, Deer, Grouse, Powell, Waterhouse and Wood. The trip is intended for experienced backpackers. Backpacking and Hiking in the West My main concern was to stay warm at night. Frequently asked questions about lake trails in Emigrant Wilderness. United States. Historic and scenic, the trail offers magnificent vistas far south into Yosemite and north to the jumbled volcanic peaks of the Sonora Pass country. Emigrant Lake was much larger than any of the lakes I visited the day before. The longest climb is less than a mile, and covers roughly 700 feet of elevation gain in that time. 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. Participants will be responsible for bringing their own toilet paper and method of water purification (chlorine tablets, filter, steri-pen, etc). We will shuttle some cars to Kennedy Meadows (our exit point), then drive to our campsite. I woke up as the sun began to illuminate the mountains. Immediately I noticed that something wasnt right. The hike between Emigrant Lake and Lunch Meadow is incredible; probably the highlight of the route. The evening was chilly, but I stayed warm by my campfire.

The trail is dotted with lakes and streams, offering frequent water sources and campsites. What is the longest lake trail in Emigrant Wilderness? About 5 miles from the trailhead.

Visitors are required to camp at least 100 feet away from water, trails, and no camping posts. Expand++. Day 7:Dorothy Lake to High Emigrant Lake. We saw gem lake, scaled the granite ramps. There is bear activity in this wilderness. Very poor spawning capability. The first day will be among the most difficult, as we hike nine miles to Gem Lake, climbing about 2,200 feet and descending 1,100 feet. I packed away my rod and continued along the lakeshore. Emigrant Wilderness Length: 5.1 mi Est. Cooking and clean-up duties will be shared by all participants on a preassigned basis. Contains both rainbows and brookies.High Emigrant Lake: 15 acres at 9706' elevation, contains brookies. 5-star camping at Upper Buck Lake. WebLocation: Emigrant Wilderness, Tuolumne County, California Trailhead: Kennedy Meadows, elevation 6,300 feet Highest point on the trail: Mosquito Pass, 9,360 feet Emigrant Lake elevation: 8,825 feet Elevation Gain: 3,060 feet Hiking Distance: 14 miles Best seasons: Mid-summer through fall Campsites: Pleasant sites at either end of the lake, a few along the From Trout fishing in Emigrant Lake. Emigrant Lake: 140 acres at 8827' elevation, about 15 miles from the trailhead. Located 15 miles into the Emigrant Wilderness near Yellowhammer Lake, the existing Yellowhammer Camp was constructed in 1922 by Fred Leighton at the site of an old cow camp cabin from the 1890s. WebThe Emigrant Wilderness of Stanislaus National Forest is a wilderness area in the Sierra Nevada. 10 trout in possession. Lake was last stocked in 2014 with rainbows.Gem Lake: 4.2 acre lake at 8224' elevation. WebWhat is the longest lake trail in Emigrant Gap? The elevation profile is comparable for both options. That being said, the water is plentiful and youll never have to carry more than two liters. Topanga State Park. One night camping limit per trip at the following lakes: Bear, Camp, Grouse, Powell, and Waterhouse. The Emigrant Wilderness Loop is a 19.5-mile loop located in Stanislaus National Forest, California, that can be hiked in 1-3 days. #8 - Granite Dome Loop via Kennedy Meadows.

Topanga State Park. It is a 1000 foot climb but the trail is used quite regularly by the local pack train. Suggested Flies for the Emigrant Wilderness area:Westside Sierra Hatch Selection, Dry Flies:Small Western Green Drake #14-16BWO #16-18Parachute Adams #12Elk Hair Caddis #14-16St. Top state parks. 10 trout in possession.

Something went wrong. WebHiked to Piote Lake the first day and used that as a base camp to explore the area. In the late spring and early summer, the rushing water along the creek creates gorgeous cascades for miles along this canyon. In the Emigrant Wilderness the use of bear resistant food storage containers is highly recommended. The Emigrant Wilderness borders right upon the northern end of Yosemite National Park and is quite a recreation destination. Upper Bucks is 12 miles from the Gianelli trailhead.

I found a campsite on the cliffs overlooking the lake a little ways off the trail. No restrictions. Granite basins carved by glaciers, jeweled with lakes, and speckled with wildflowers attract visitors to the Emigrant Wilderness. It is 12 acres at 8315' and the most southern lake, Lower Bucks, is 22 acres at 8302'. On four nights we will camp above 9,000 ft.

Campsite elevation: 8,300 feet. Day 4:Letora Lake to Fraser Lakes. The Lake is just as beautiful as usual, but it was crowded on Saturday and Sunday. This trail is heavily trafficked on the weekends. We enjoyed the different scenery along the Bell Meadows trail, and found a few groves of yellowing aspen along the way. ( There arent any excruciatingly long climbs, and the weather is pleasant well past August. Bigelow Lake: 50 acres at 9589' elevation, 23.5 miles from the trailhead. Please do not make non-refundable travel arrangements until notified to do so by the trip leader. We encountered thunderstorms on Monday afternoon. WebBest Lake Trails in Emigrant Wilderness. through Nov. 15. . 2h 23m. Snowpacks typically linger into June, sometimes later following very wet winters. Webbest lakes in emigrant wilderness. The middle and lower lake are fishless. A GPS Track, good navigation skills, and desert hiking experience are highly recommended on this route. You can practically climb any where you want to explore. We will enter the wilderness from the west, traveling through forested granitic valleys and camping at pristine lakes before arriving at the sparsely vegetated high country at the eastern side of the wilderness. After I camped next to one of these lakes back in 2015, I was completely hooked. @yosemitenps, This just might be the sight in Lake Tahoe for sometime enjoy it!, Advertising /Sponsorships/ Featured Stories, Introducing the New Freedom Fatty E-bike by Wing, January 2023 Special Edition Issue-13, August 2022 Fall Travel Guide Issue 11, 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, Explore the Caribou Wilderness of Northern California, 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, Preparing for River Crossings in the Sierra, Backpacking Inyo National Forest Trail Quotas, Lassen Volcanic to Offer Online Backcountry Permit System, Pacific Crest Trail Permit Updates Class 2023, RENO TAHOE SNOW REPORT FOR EASTER WEEKEND 2022, Discover more about Adverting and Marketing opportunities, Special Edition - New Year New Adventure 2023. I planned to camp at Wood Lake. Contains rainbows. Most of the buildings were made with local sugar pine logs and seemed to be in pretty good shape. Frequently asked questions about lake trails in Emigrant Wilderness. Open all year. Looking forward to a summer of sunrises in the Sierra. Help support Local Journalism by visiting our Sierra Rec magazine sponsors and consider a small donation on our Patreon page if you enjoy the content. Contains Brook Trout, some in the 12-16" range.Kennedy Lake: This is a 45 acre lake at 7,839' ele. From Trout fishing in Emigrant Lake. Upper Bucks is the preferred fishing lake with more and larger fish than the other two.Wood Lake: This 24 acre lake is southwest of Lower Bucks Lake at 8298' ele.
Rivers and Streams within Emigrant Wilderness: From the last Saturday in April through November 15, five trout daily bag limit, 10 trout in possession; and, from November 16 through the Friday preceding the last Saturday in April, 0 trout bag limit, artificial lures with barbless hooks only and trout must be released unharmed and not removed from the water. Food storage: Bear canisters are not required in Stanislaus National Forest, but are highly recommended. As the smoke gradually began to thicken, we decided to make our way down towards Rosasco Lake for the night. Our route started at the Crabtree Trailhead, which is just east of Dodge Ridge Ski Area near Pinecrest Lake (and our sons favorite fishing spot!). Participants must have the ability (demonstrated by previous experience) to hike at high altitude with a fully loaded backpack. From the south, the wilderness is accessible from Cherry Lake, along the border with Yosemite National Park. 9.75 miles from Gianelli Trailhead. We crossed through the charred tree trunks of Pine Valley, which showed hopeful signs of regrowth after a devastating wildfire ripped through there in 2003. The rocky shore dropped deep into the lake and offered trout places to hide. This trail has a lot of steep sections and loose rock. We soaked our tired feet in the cold water and happily ate our dinner. Saw a bunch of cows roaming around. Both result in similar elevation changes. Region: Pacific West (Stanislaus National Forest, Northern California) Length: 19.5 miles, 1-3 days Stock: This area is heavy with horse activity. This is definitely a five-star hike. It is a rugged trail that traverses sandy beaches, boulder fields, and coastal bluffs, and it can be hiked in 2-3 days, Death Valley Cottonwood-Marble Canyon Loop, CA, Smoky Mountains National Park Loop, NC / TN. Watersheds drain to the Stanislaus and Tuolumne Rivers. About 23 miles from the trailhead. There are pros and cons to each month of the hiking season in Stanislaus National Forest. While we may arrive on this journey as individuals we are a team during the hike in the wilderness. Going where few have gone before. It is a strenuous climb utilizing an unmaintained trail just past the footbridge on Kennedy Creek.