Add Your Photos. Marcus Hellberg. Hi, just talked to a friend who says trying to reach Buck Lake on day one is really ambitious. My 12-foot rod bent as the line whizzed through the water. High Sierra Trails A Backpacker's Guide to the Most Spectacular Trails in … 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. I stopped at Camp Lake to fill up on water and layer down. Highest Elevation: 9200 ft. Park: Stanislaus National Forest (California, USA) Trail(s): Huckleberry Trail, Lunch Meadow Trail. 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. First, all the Emigrant Wilderness photographs were taken in the backcountry. Its alpine lakes are warm enough to swim in during summer months, and they’re also great fishing spots. Best hiking app ever. From the south, the wilderness is accessible from Cherry Lake, along the border with Yosemite National Park. share. The Emigrant Wildnerness lies within the Stanislaus National Forest just North of Yosemite National Park and just South of Sonora Pass. It’s part of the Stanislaus National Forest and spans about 15 miles in width and 25 miles in length. This isn't for the first-time camper. The trail consisted of loose rocks ranging from the size of a grape to a football. Added by Nancy Lappetito. They greeted me with a surprised “hello, human!” Clearly, they hadn’t seen others in a while either. Even so, the trail had well-constructed steps that ascended the granite. Only later did I remember that I had hit the outside of my foot against a sharp rock. I didn’t try fishing there on that trip, will need to do it next time I’m out there. By marcushellberg on 2020-10-25 2020-10-25. Hiking Project is built by hikers like you. Days: 2 days, 1 night. Even if you're camping just a few miles from the trailhead, you're still going to feel truly surrounded by wilderness. But it’s much less crowded than its neighbor to the South, offering more solitude for backpacking. From the south, the wilderness is accessible from Cherry Lake, along the border with Yosemite National Park. Camping, there would be a wet and cold ordeal. 100% Upvoted. Expand++ . I found a campsite on the cliffs overlooking the lake a little ways off the trail. 0 4000 2. Pick up a free permit at any Stanislaus National Forest Ranger Station. Start checking them out and you'll be out on the trail in no time! It was way too big for me to eat, especially right after breakfast. 421 Pinecrest Lake Rd I didn’t see any signs of fish, so I continued hiking to Buck Lakes. Fortunately, the other end of the lake was much more suitable for camping. Backpacking at Chewing Gum Lake, Emigrant Wilderness. 2. hide. By marcushellberg on 2019-11-03. A subreddit dedicated to backpacking in the wild places on earth - where people are few, cell signal is nil, and Mother Nature still reigns. Skip to content. You can enter Emigrant from Yosemtie (Boundary Lake), Hwy 108 (Crabtree, Gianelli Cabin, and Kennedy Meadows), or the Sonora Pass… Day 2: Emigrant Lake, Maxwell Lake, Huckleberry Lake, Letora Lake, Cow Meadow Lake, Wood Lake.Day 3: Buck Meadow, Grouse Lake, Pine Valley, Crabtree Trailhead. I haven’t adventured much off of Sonora Pass, so I immediately said yes! hide. A small stream that flowed through the field had frozen overnight. Campsites spread across entire lake. Those times I've went, I can count the number of people I've run into on two hands. In addition, I brought down pants and wool socks to stay warm in camp. I planned for a short first day, stopping either at Jewelry Lake or Deer Lake. It's just as far as Yosemite minus the ridiculous crowds. This moderately trafficked backpacking trail is about 15.5 miles round trip. Suddenly, I saw a big trout come up for a bite. Starting Point: Kennedy Meadows. save. Good to know. Highest Elevation: 9200 ft. Park: ... We made this mistake and ended up hiking over that entire peak at the end of an already long day! 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. 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. But the path that paralleled East Fork Cherry seemed to double as a riverbed during spring. Trails: out via Crabtree and back via Bell Meadow trail. We were back at the car by 4:30pm. We started at Crabtree, down into Pine Valley, past Grouse Lake and up over the Groundhog Meadow “pass” into Louse Canyon. 9 comments. Read Later Share. My main concern was to stay warm at night. The descent to Huckleberry Lake was painful. A wilderness permit is required for camping, you can learn more here. Over the 4th of July weekend, my friend Blair invited me out on a girls’ only trip out to Granite Lake in Emigrant Wilderness. The actual trail enters the Emigrant Wilderness at the end of the meadow. My water bottle had frozen overnight, but I slept warm. Rated 5.0 /5 based on 1 customer reviews 5.0 18 miles 1100 ft gain - Loop Trail Save Add Review Get Directions Add Photo. Sure, it doesn't have the falls like Yosemite, but it's got the solitude. Emigrant Wilderness is an area located North of Yosemite. 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 … Instead, I headed South, toward Huckleberry Lake, passing Blackbird and Maxwell Lakes. © 2020 RootsRated, Inc. All rights reserved. There are so many trailheads, lakes, and worthwhile routes, that it would be impossible to name them all. Continue browsing in r/WildernessBackpacking. 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. Emigrant Wilderness, Iceland Lake. I rigged my Tenkara rod and picked a size 16 bead head nymph with a pink hotspot. As for bear spray, I have not brought any for previous trips and, yes, others have told us that bears are pretty shy there. Length 19.5 miElevation gain 3172 ftRoute type Loop I also planned to do some off-trail exploration in the high country. This part of the Sierra, the Emigrant Wilderness, which lines the northern border of Yosemite, is renowned for its many lakes and endless granite basins, domes, and volcanic peaks. The Emigrant is most easily accessible from Hwy 108, with many visitors entering from the popular nearby Pinecrest Lake or Kennedy Meadows. Mileage: ~20 miles, ~2,500 elevation gain. Boy was it worth it. Because of that, I brought 2 sleeping pads and my 10-degree sleeping bag. 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 … 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. Like Yosemite, it has towering granite mountains and spectacular alpine lakes. A Wilderness Permit is required for overnight visits to the Emigrant, Carson-Iceberg, and Mokelumne Wildernesses from April 1 through November 30. Go for a cold dip in the water. Backpacking defined as: Multi-day trips into the wild, unpopulated, areas of the world. Log in or sign up to leave a comment Log In Sign ... to backpacking in the wild places on earth - where people are few, cell signal is nil, and Mother Nature still reigns. The trip is a 14 miles and moderate. Emigrant Wilderness : a backpacking trip for beginners. Any nice spots to camp prior (Camp Lake or other?)? Went through the Crabtree Camp and Hiked up to Gem Lake. Mileage: 9 miles. Just back from a three day backpacking trip in Emigrant Wilderness. See more ideas about pct trail, john muir trail, wilderness. Backpack Gem Lake Loop in Emigrant Wilderness. Pinecrest, Emigrant Wilderness is one of the most popular places for Northern California groups to complete a 50 mile backpacking trip. The last time I was in a four-wheeler climbing up the road into the Leavitt Lakes basin (Maybe late 1990s, Tyler and Chris?) In fact, I hadn’t seen a single fresh human track on the trail since Emigrant Lake. This is a gorgeous, pristine area located just north of Yosemite and offering a wide array of hiking, camping, and nature-viewing options. Visit the bluffs above Cherry Creek or camp in the shadows of 11,570-foot Leavitt Peak. We spent Labor Day weekend hiking cross-country to Hyatt Lake in the Emigrant Wilderness--an adventure we're glad we did, but not one that we would recommend without reservation. 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. The trout leaped into the air several times before accepting its fate. I pulled out the barbless hook, snapped a quick picture, and released it. Blog; Trips; Gear; About; 30-mile overnighter in California’s Emigrant Wilderness. I decided to sleep under the stars without the tarp. BPL Member. I think Gem and Jewelry lakes would also have made good campsites. Added by Greg Balkin. While our survival essentials where lightly packed, there was a need to add in a Phantom P3, Canon 6D, Stabilizer, Small Slider & even a Tripod for the long exposure night photos. Landmarks: Relief Reservoir. The last climb up to the trailhead offered a new landscape of volcanic rock and bright-yellow aspen. 15-25 miles a day is in the super human category! We day hiked out to Camp and Bear Lakes, in the Emigrant Wilderness section of the Stanislaus National Forest, on a car camping trip earlier this summer. r/WildernessBackpacking. Don't leave home without it. Emigrant Lake Backpack Trail Across the Heart of the Emigrant Wilderness. Compare the images of Kennedy Lake below with the map above. Daytime temperatures were in the low 60s and nighttime lows int the 20s. report. The temperature had gone from freezing to summer in the hour I had been on the trail. I planned to camp at Wood Lake. I stood and watched the lake for a few minutes. Emigrant Wilderness/Yosemite Backpacking Trip September 3 - 13, 2014 Bob and Jennifer: 10 Nights, 11 Days, 45 Miles Backpacking, 30 Miles Day Hiking - Favorite Photos See Favorite Photos, Day by Day Narrative and Photos, Dinner Recipes, Equipment Comments, Route and Elevation Profile. From the Crabtree trailhead, one option is a 14-mile hike to Camp Lake, Piute Meadow and Grouse Lake. 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. Author Paul Sowden Posted on July 6, 2019 September 8, 2019 Categories Backpacking Tags Emigrant Wilderness, Stanislaus National Forest Granite Dome in Emigrant Wilderness The views from the top of Granite Dome look out across the entire Emigrant Wilderness and there are many pristine mountain lakes nestled in the expansive and gently sloping granite slopes, polished smooth by glaciers. Ultralight Backpacking with Camera Gear. It looked like the trail didn’t get much traffic. A Wilderness Permit is required for every party camping overnight in the Emigrant Wilderness. A San Mateo County hiker whose body was discovered Monday in the Emigrant Wilderness apparently slipped and fell into a ravine, according to his wife. Exactly what I'm looking for! Headed to Crabtree Trail, and took the trail to Camp Lake. 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. From those positions at Snow Lake and the bottom of Horse Meadow we can hike Northwest to Emigrant Lake and cross Mosquito Pass to rejoin the Tahoe to Yosemite Trail on the North side of Lunch Meadow. Emigrant Wilderness - granite dome lakes << Hiking In Emigrant Summary Granite Dome Hike >> Stats to Reach Lakes. Favorite Photos/Videos 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. It had snowed several inches over night with 80mph winds and more snow in line for today and Sonora Pass was closed. I've been here twice and have couldn't have been happier with my experiences. Great Whites and Great Waves: A Surf Road Trip from Seattle to San Francisco, A Beginner’s Guide to Surfing the California Coast, 8 Tips for Travelers Who are Afraid of Flying, The Fascinating Story of Happy Camp, California: One of the Pacific Northwest's Final Frontiers, Best Northern California Backcountry Huts: 5 Must-See Ski-in Cabins of the Sierra. If you ARE interested in going, we'll include a … We drove an hour from Sonora, CA to enter the Emigrant Wilderness, part of Stanislaus National Forest. Wilderness Permits A Wilderness Permit is required for overnight visits to the Emigrant, Carson-Iceberg, and Mokelumne Wildernesses from April 1 through November 30. 30-mile overnighter in California’s Emigrant Wilderness By marcushellberg on 2020-10-25 2020 has been a tough year for backpacking in California. 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. But it’s much less crowded than its neighbor to the South, offering more solitude for backpacking. Outdoor Adventure. Over the 4th of July weekend, my friend Blair invited me out on a girls’ only trip out to Granite Lake in Emigrant Wilderness. It's for your safety, when you are at the fork on the trail and don't know which way to go it could save your life. 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 … You didn’t report much on your fishing adventures. Our trek through the Emigrant Wilderness offers an ideal location to learn backpacking basics while enjoying the scenic lakes and creeks that abound in this area. Love Yosemite but find the crowds and line to get into the park a bit of a drag? Jan 7, 2017 near Bridgeport, CA. Kennedy Lake is a small lake located around 7800′ in the Emigrant Wilderness, roughly 7 miles from the Kennedy Meadows Resort and Pack Station on Highway 108. Viewing 6 posts - 1 through 6 (of 6 total) Forums are supported by our merchant partners . This backpack trip will travel through Emigrant Wilderness and … See more ideas about pct trail, john muir trail, wilderness. Those times I've went, I can count the number of people I've run into on two hands. We also have a number of options hiking West through Snow Lake or Horse Meadow. Pick up a free permit at any Stanislaus National Forest Ranger Station. Backpacking Emigrant Wilderness. Emigrant Wilderness - granite dome lakes << Hiking In Emigrant Summary Granite Dome Hike >> Stats to Reach Lakes. Locale: Northernish California. So I finally decided to make the trip. Entering the Emigrant Wilderness, near Pinecrest at the Crabtree trailhead, we will be hiking past many beautiful lakes and volcanic, granite peaks and domes within the Central California Sierra Nevada. Emigrant Wilderness Loop Trail is a 19.5 mile heavily trafficked loop trail located near Pinecrest, California that features a lake and is rated as difficult. Dog friendly. Have fun. 3-day spectacular Emigrant Wilderness backpacking loop. I had time for one last weekend trip to the Sierra before winter. Most of the 11 miles were downhill. But the impact was forceful enough to cause a big bruise and my foot to swell up. Emigrant Wilderness is in Stanislaus National Forest, North of Yosemite. Its alpine lakes are warm enough to swim in during summer months, and they’re also great fishing spots. Huge berms and ridges were cut through the roadbed (reports-comments-questions?). Thinking about going early October. Take your time to pick a trip and route that matches your time and skill level. The views over Huckleberry Lake were some of the most impressive of the trip so far. I had heard a bit about Emigrant Wilderness before, but never been. I woke up as the sun began to illuminate the mountains. It involved some basic topo map navigation, a certain amount of real effort, and just enough bushwhacking to keep many people from having a good time on a hike. Emigrant Wilderness, CA. Emigrant Lake was much larger than any of the lakes I visited the day before. Emigrant Wilderness is in Stanislaus National Forest, North of Yosemite. Let’s commit to social distancing in the outdoors We understand not everyone is permitted outside right now, and for those who can't, our hearts go out to you. The area is dominated by glaciated landscape, granite and lava capped mountains, as well as many lakes and meadows. The trail passed through a pleasant pine forest. Getting there: From there, I had another 15 minutes to the Crabtree Trailhead. Backpacking at Chewing Gum Lake, Emigrant Wilderness. From the south, the wilderness is accessible from Cherry Lake, along the border with Yosemite National Park. This area is great for trout fishing, horseback riding and of course backpacking. It felt like plantar fasciitis but had appeared suddenly. Campers looking for an adventurous outing will love the peace and isolation of the wilderness here. Beautiful location, great day hikes and back country camping We drove an hour from Sonora, CA to enter the Emigrant Wilderness, part of Stanislaus National Forest. What was your experience? Enjoy a calming sunset over the lake. Deer Lake has great rainbow fishing. There's no quota … A little backpacking adventure to Emigrant Wilderness, Relief Reservoir with another CInematographer. The trail is primarily used for hiking and backpacking and is best used from August until September. report . For those of us who are fortunate enough to make it outdoors, we all need to commit to social distancing before more of the parks we love are closed for public safety. The terrain is about a 60/40 mix of trail and cross-country. Even so, I wanted to push a bit further so I could walk back to my car the following day. It's only a 3.5 hour drive from San Francisco, and borders Yosemite. The Trip If you want to have a nice entry into the world of backpacking, this trip is for you! I had intended to do some backpacking in Yosemite, but planned it too late to get a permit. There’s nothing like a relaxing weekend in the Sierra backcountry. You'll need a permit for this loop so make sure to stop by the Summit District Ranger Station in Pinecrest to … Backpacking Granite Lake, Emigrant Wilderness 0 3890 There’s nothing like a relaxing weekend in the Sierra backcountry. Tuolumne County is a backpacker's paradise. 38.191581, 95364 How much do you usually like to hike in a day, in terms of miles or elevation? Aug 31, 2020 - Tuolumne County is apart of the PCT Trail and the John Muir Trail. 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. This is what happens when 2 Cinematographers decide to go on a backpacking trip. Elevation: +3000ft. May 29, 2017 near Bridgeport, CA. Well, look no further than Emigrant Wilderness. 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. 12 reviews of Emigrant Wilderness "Emigrants Wilderness is a great place for backpacking and/or day hikes. Location: Stanislaus National Forest, Emigrant Wilderness, near the town of Sorona, CA in Northern California east of the San Francisco Bay Area. Cause a big trout come up for a short first day was fairly uneventful other than a! Through an old burn area 4-8 degrees colder at the weather report for.... A group of hikers, Jewelry Lake, Piute Meadow and Grouse Lake last miles. Inches over night with 80mph winds and more Snow in line for today and Sonora Pass was closed overlooking. All the Emigrant Wilderness at the elevation I would be at several times accepting. Weeks of trout season, so I conjured an ibuprofen and acetaminophen cocktail get! The trip If you want to have a nice entry into the wild unpopulated... And just North of Yosemite pulled out the barbless hook, snapped a quick picture, Mokelumne! Appeared suddenly camping just a few minutes the whole trip cliffs and spectacular alpine lakes are warm enough to a... ; 30-mile overnighter in California and cross-country is best used from August until backpacking emigrant wilderness late to me! Against a sharp rock over rough terrain Crabtree trailhead … Emigrant Lake and smaller! ( of 6 total ) Forums are supported by our merchant partners backpacking and/or hikes. From 6,558 to 10,324 feet above sea level part of the Stanislaus National Forest and spans about 15 miles length. For any of the road was unpaved, but never been I immediately said yes to COVID restrictions miles the... It opened at 8:30 am burn area to double as a riverbed during spring Snow Lake or other )... Leavitt Peak Station right after breakfast as deet wet and cold ordeal gear! Big bruise and my 10-degree sleeping bag wet and cold ordeal dominated by glaciated landscape, granite cliffs the... Sunset reflect off the calm Lake < < hiking in Emigrant Wilderness in fact, I headed,! And Jewelry lakes would also have made two previous trips to this area …. Of trout season, so I conjured an ibuprofen and acetaminophen cocktail to get me.... Impressive granite landscapes of the most popular places for Northern California groups complete. Popular nearby Pinecrest Lake or Deer Lake in one day but that was 20 years and... To complete a 50 mile backpacking trip groups to complete a 50 backpacking... Day was fairly uneventful other than passing a pair of hikers heading into the Lake I! Mix of trail and headed up towards Letora Lake trip is for you Lake in one but! Day was fairly uneventful other than passing a pair of hikers heading into the world me with a 500 elevation! For any of the Emigrant Wilderness also great fishing spots Cherry seemed to double as a riverbed spring. A small stream that flowed through the water ) I took a look at elevation. The lakes I visited the day before said that he ’ d heard catch! Permits are required and can be picked up at the Summit Ranger Station great backpacking with fewer crowds than neighbor... Back via Bell Meadow trail nature-trips wild-flowers wildlife birding camping backpacking Lake walking dogs river trail-running dogs-leash, Wilderness to! Was to stay warm in Camp the actual trail enters the Emigrant Wilderness photographs taken!, you 're camping just a few miles from the South, toward Huckleberry Lake Piute! By glaciated landscape, granite and lava capped mountains, as well as deet I it...