I planned a 3-night trip to Emigrant Wilderness to fish Emigrant Lake and some smaller lakes. Good to know. A wilderness permit is required for camping, you can learn more here. Hi, just talked to a friend who says trying to reach Buck Lake on day one is really ambitious. Back in Oakland (October 22, 2012) I took a look at the weather report for Emigrant. From the Crabtree trailhead, one option is a 14-mile hike to Camp Lake, Piute Meadow and Grouse Lake. It's just as far as Yosemite minus the ridiculous crowds. The Emigrant Wilderness (Sierras) 1/4. Camp: Gem Lake. Favorite Photos/Videos. Mileage: 9 miles. Emigrant Wilderness - granite dome lakes << Hiking In Emigrant Summary Granite Dome Hike >> Stats to Reach Lakes. The trail followed the edge of a large meadow on the Northside of Upper Buck Lake. We will be hiking most days with full packs over rough terrain. Emigrant Lake was much larger than any of the lakes I visited the day before. With all the tent sites, we only saw two other groups, though admittedly it was after 10pm and dark so we didn’t look very hard. You need to be in good physical condition to handle the daily rigors of cross-country hiking. Over the 4th of July weekend, my friend Blair invited me out on a girls’ only trip out to Granite Lake in Emigrant Wilderness. From short overnight fast-packing getaways to a week-long trek with a loaded pack, the 113,000-acre Emigrant Wilderness may not be as popular as Yosemite, but it is definitely worth the trip. It was still near freezing when I started my backpacking trip. Emigrant Wilderness is an area located North of Yosemite. I kept going. Since there are no trailhead quotas limiting the number of people who may enter each trailhead in the Emigrant Wilderness (except Kibbie Ridge/Lake), you do not need to reserve your permit ahead of time unless you are picking it up after hours. Deer Lake was a bit more shallow/marshy at least in one end. Until then, the trail had been well-maintained. Suddenly, I saw a big trout come up for a bite. Start and end at the Crabtree Trailhead. I had time for one last weekend trip to the Sierra before winter. The night was wind-still, and there wasn’t a cloud in sight. My main concern was to stay warm at night. A Wilderness Permit is required for every party camping overnight in the Emigrant Wilderness. The trail is primarily used for hiking and backpacking and is best used from August until September. CA, There’s nothing like a relaxing weekend in the Sierra backcountry. There are so many trailheads, lakes, and worthwhile routes, that it would be impossible to name them all. The views over Huckleberry Lake were some of the most impressive of the trip so far. 3 days in Joshua Tree for beginner Backpackers . Have fun. Enjoy a calming sunset over the lake. From the south, the wilderness is accessible from Cherry Lake, along the border with Yosemite National Park. This backpack trip will travel through Emigrant Wilderness and … I picked up my Emigrant Wilderness permit at the Summit Ranger Station right after it opened at 8:30 am. Over the 4th of July weekend, my friend Blair invited me out on a girls’ only trip out to Granite Lake in Emigrant Wilderness. Marcus Hellberg. Compare the images of Kennedy Lake below with the map above. Bordered by Yosemite National Park to the south and Toiyabe National Forest to the east, Emigrant Wilderness is a prime destination for solitude-seeking Bay Area backpackers. In fact, I hadn’t seen a single fresh human track on the trail since Emigrant Lake. Those times I've went, I can count the number of people I've run into on two hands. 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. You're starting at a fairly high elevation (8K+), but… My water bottle had frozen overnight, but I slept warm. Getting there: When I got to the West side of the lake, I was disappointed to notice that it was a shallow, swampy lake. But it’s much less crowded than its neighbor to the South, offering more solitude for backpacking. There are 11 moderate trails in Emigrant Wilderness ranging from 5.1 to 29 miles and from 6,558 to 10,324 feet above sea level. The area is dominated by glaciated landscape, granite and lava capped mountains, as well as many lakes and meadows. The last 2 miles of the road was unpaved, but passable with a car. It’s part of the Stanislaus National Forest and spans about 15 miles in width and 25 miles in length. This article is part of our Backpacking trip for beginners series no-repeat;center top;; Backpacking at Chewing Gum Lake, Emigrant Wilderness Emigrant Wilderness is an area located […] 23 August 2016. share. Instead, I headed South, toward Huckleberry Lake, passing Blackbird and Maxwell Lakes. You can enter Emigrant from Yosemtie (Boundary Lake), Hwy 108 (Crabtree, Gianelli Cabin, and Kennedy Meadows), or the Sonora Pass… See more ideas about pct trail, john muir trail, wilderness. Five miles from the trailhead, I ran into a group of hikers. Farther to the south beautiful Sonora Pass (Highway 108) has trailheads for the Emigrant Wilderness and the Carson-Iceberg Wilderness. Click here for more information. 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. Love Yosemite but find the crowds and line to get into the park a bit of a drag? 0 4000 2. Camping, there would be a wet and cold ordeal. The area is dominated by glaciated landscape, granite and lava capped mountains, as well as many lakes and meadows. Campers looking for an adventurous outing will love the peace and isolation of the wilderness here. Emigrant Lake is a magnificent destination for an extended Emigrant Wilderness adventure. Landmarks: Relief Reservoir. We started at Crabtree, down into Pine Valley, past Grouse Lake and up over the Groundhog Meadow “pass” into Louse Canyon. Take your time to pick a trip and route that matches your time and skill level. By marcushellberg on 2019-11-03. Highest Elevation: 9200 ft. Park: Stanislaus National Forest (California, USA) Trail(s): Huckleberry Trail, Lunch Meadow Trail. I gave it a few quick jigs and boom–the trout slammed the fly. The rocky shore dropped deep into the lake and offered trout places to hide. We will arrive in the afternoon to explore Pinecrest, pick up our permit and do a short warm-up hike. My 12-foot rod bent as the line whizzed through the water. 9 comments. See more ideas about pct trail, john muir trail, wilderness. Backpacking at Chewing Gum Lake, Emigrant Wilderness. Emigrant Lake Backpack Trail Across the Heart of the Emigrant Wilderness. The evening was chilly, but I stayed warm by my campfire. 100% Upvoted. Even so, the trail had well-constructed steps that ascended the granite. Outdoor Adventure. Any nice spots to camp prior (Camp Lake or other?)? Aug 31, 2020 - Tuolumne County is apart of the PCT Trail and the John Muir Trail. views hiking forest nature-trips wild-flowers wildlife birding camping backpacking lake walking dogs river trail-running dogs-leash. The Emigrant Wildnerness lies within the Stanislaus National Forest just North of Yosemite National Park and just South of Sonora Pass. Rick Dreher. May 29, 2017 near Bridgeport, CA. From the south, the wilderness is accessible from Cherry Lake, along the border with Yosemite National Park. Like Yosemite, it has towering granite mountains and spectacular alpine lakes. I haven’t adventured much off of Sonora Pass, so I immediately said yes! hide. From short overnight fast-packing getaways to a week-long trek with a loaded pack, the 113,000-acre Emigrant Wilderness may not be as popular as Yosemite, but it is definitely worth the trip. Dog friendly. 12 reviews of Emigrant Wilderness "Emigrants Wilderness is a great place for backpacking and/or day hikes. save. Just as quickly as it had appeared, it vanished into the dark. Starting Point: Kennedy Meadows. 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. It's just as far as Yosemite minus the ridiculous crowds. Emigrant Wilderness Backpacking Trip August 16 - 25, 2019 Bob and Jennifer: 9 Nights, 10 Days, 22.6 Miles Backpacking, 50 Miles Day Hiking See Favorite Photos/Videos, Day by Day Narrative and Photos, Emigrant Wilderness Map, Equipment/Food/Supply Notes. The last time I was in a four-wheeler climbing up the road into the Leavitt Lakes basin (Maybe late 1990s, Tyler and Chris?) Chewing Gum Lake is no exception. 1/2. hide. Backpack to Bear Lake (Emigrant Wilderness) Rated 4.333 /5 based on 3 customer reviews 4.3 7 miles 500 ft gain - Out-and-Back Trail Save Add Review Get Directions Add Photo. You will cross two bridges on this backpacking trail. Can be a bit annoying when it’s crowded with backpackers-but amazing when you get to the … I planned for a short first day, stopping either at Jewelry Lake or Deer Lake. I think Gem and Jewelry lakes would also have made good campsites. The trail consisted of loose rocks ranging from the size of a grape to a football. It’s part of the Stanislaus National Forest and spans about 15 miles in width and 25 miles in length. By marcushellberg on 2020-10-25 2020-10-25. Because of that, I brought 2 sleeping pads and my 10-degree sleeping bag. 95364 Every step I took on my left foot resulted in a stabbing pain near my heel. I love the filter feature and all the details about each Trail I'm absolutely in love with this app! Emigrant Wilderness, Iceland Lake. The temperature had gone from freezing to summer in the hour I had been on the trail. Fortunately, the other end of the lake was much more suitable for camping. BPL Member. How much do you usually like to hike in a day, in terms of miles or elevation? The last miles of the trail passed through an old burn area. The trip is a 14 miles and moderate. We were back at the car by 4:30pm. Located just north of Yosemite National Park, the Emigrant Wilderness in the Stanislaus National Forest offers an incredible array of natural environments and terrain. You'll need a permit for this loop so make sure to stop by the Summit District Ranger Station in Pinecrest to … rhz. Once around 1996 with my wife Stacy and again in 2000 when we brought our then 2-year-old daughter Hannah. The trails looked really doable for the low velocity, reduced distance backpacker, which is pretty much what we are. 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). r/WildernessBackpacking. Emigrant Lake Trailhead: Kennedy Meadows Distance: 13 miles Elevation: 6,300' - 9,400' 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 … © 2020 RootsRated, Inc. All rights reserved. Like Yosemite, it has towering granite mountains and spectacular alpine lakes. Tuolumne County is a backpacker's paradise. The chart above will give you some idea on what to expect. Main Backpacking Features Hiking East from the Tahoe to Yosemite Trail up the Western Sierra Flank to Kennedy Lake South of Kennedy Meadows Pack Station opens up much more that a short spur trail to a beautiful lake between the Tahoe to Yosemite and Pacific Crest Trails. Emigrant Wilderness : a backpacking trip for beginners. I found a cliff overlooking the lake with a fire ring and a sheltered spot for my sleeping pad. I woke up as the sun began to illuminate the mountains. Backpacking Granite Lake, Emigrant Wilderness. The weather forecast for the trip showed clear skies. 12 reviews of Emigrant Wilderness "Emigrants Wilderness is a great place for backpacking and/or day hikes. From the south, the wilderness is accessible from Cherry Lake, along the border with Yosemite National Park. We will “car” camp or rent rooms for the night. Trails: out via Crabtree and back via Bell Meadow trail. The trail passed through a pleasant pine forest. 2020-07-29. 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. This is a gorgeous, pristine area located just north of Yosemite and offering a wide array of hiking, camping, and nature-viewing options. Only 2.6 miles, with a net gain in elevation of about 500 feet (although you climb almost 1000 and drop back by half), it took us just about 1 hr and 20 minutes to hike in with day packs, and about 45 minutes to hike out. I didn’t try fishing there on that trip, will need to do it next time I’m out there. In the morning, my foot was feeling worse. Boy was it worth it. Emigrant Wilderness is in Stanislaus National Forest, North of Yosemite. Campsites spread across entire lake. In addition, I brought down pants and wool socks to stay warm in camp. 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