We enjoyed the different scenery along the Bell Meadows trail, and found a few groves of yellowing aspen along the way. Just as quickly as it had appeared, it vanished into the dark. Saw a bunch of cows roaming around. Immediately I noticed that something wasnt right. In the Emigrant Wilderness the use of bear resistant food storage containers is highly recommended . These trails have an average 4.5-star rating from 1,485 AllTrails community reviews. I enjoyed this route, but dont see any reason why counterclockwise would be any less enjoyable. Read on to learn about the trip route! If you plan to conduct a hike along the PCT that begins on the Mokelumne and extends for more than 500 miles north, or past Tuolumne Meadows to the south, you will either need to obtain a permit from the Pacific Crest Trail Association or obtain permits covering all the National Park and National Forest Units you plan to travel through. Subscribe Today & Support Regional Efforts Dismiss, Join our growing community and receive the latest Adventure and outdoor news and updatesrom around the Sierra Nevada. Snowpacks typically linger into June, sometimes later following very wet winters. . 93 Acres located on the scenic Old Emigrant Trail near the historic ghost town of Unionville, Nevada. Like Yosemite, it has towering granite mountains and spectacular alpine lakes. This trail has a lot of steep sections and loose rock. Towering granite peaks surrounded Upper Buck Lake. (209) 532-3671 This time we chose a lesser known wilderness area within the Stanislaus National Forest called the Emigrant Wilderness. What is the longest trail in Emigrant Wilderness? The Fishing Advice 2021. Hyatt Lake is a great place. From there, the trail descends into canyons and climbs ridges undulating in this familiar fashion for miles. But the path that paralleled East Fork Cherry seemed to double as a riverbed during spring. Call the ranger station for more information on these campgrounds. 3-day spectacular Emigrant Wilderness backpacking loop Category Weight Pack 2.47 lb Shelter 1.28 lb Sleep 2.82 lb Worn clothing 2.83 lb Carried clothing 2.95 lb Food, water, and cooking 1.72 lb Hygiene and medical 0.76 lb Electronics & navigation 1.95 lb Other 1.71 lb Total 18.49 lb Worn 4.1 lb Base Weight 14.4 lb Pack Weight qty The northeastern third of the Wilderness is dominated by volcanic ridges and peaks; the remaining areas consist of many sparsely vegetated, granitic ridges interspersed with numerous lakes and meadows. Wanting more privacy, we ventured along to a small tarn just below the lake and found a great spot for our tent. This trail is estimated to be 45.9 mi long and takes on average 22 h 59 min to hike. Crabtree Road is not paved, but 2WD cars are just fine. The DF&G does a kill survey every year off the main hwy during the entire opening weekend. It takes an average of 4 h 4 min to hike. We left the official trail at West Fork Cherry Creek, venturing down Louse Canyon. We took a cross-country shortcut to Emigrant Meadow Lake along Cherry Creek, where we stopped for the night at 17:18. I had time for one last weekend trip to the Sierra before winter. No more than 15 people and 25 head of stock are allowed on overnight trips. The Santa Lucia Preserve (/ s n. t l u s i /) or The Preserve (formerly Rancho San Carlos) is a private, 20,000 acres (8,100 ha) gated development permitting 297 homesites.It is located in the foothills of the Santa Lucia Range between Palo Corona Regional Park and Carmel Valley, California.The Preserve consists of a 12,000 acres (4,900 ha) nature reserve, 8,000 acres (3,200 . Emigrant Wilderness - granite dome lakes << Hiking In Emigrant Summary Granite Dome Hike >> Stats to Reach Lakes. Of course, we did exactly what we should not have done: we went too far to the north east and reached a dropoff. After all, doesnt LNT tell us to always stay on designated trails? This is definitely a five-star hike, Frequently asked questions about lake trails in Emigrant Wilderness. 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. In the afternoon, we climbed up the little hill behind our camp to scope out the terrain for the next day, to possibly change our route. Like many of the other reviews, this is a great trail. Precipitation averages 50 inches annually, 80 percent of it in the form of snow. For trips entering Yosemite National Park Wilderness from the Stanislaus National Forest and staying overnight at Kibbie Lake or Lake Eleanor (near Cherry Lake), you must call the Groveland Ranger District 1 day in advance of your trip. This peaceful, alpine lake makes for a perfect one day getaway during the summer months and to escape the heat of the foothills. The trail steadily climbs after this creek, but thankfully a lot of it is lightly shaded. We stopped at an overlook right before this trail met up with the main trail that we hiked in on. A boat is really handy here to reach many of the best fishing spots. Trip report for Iceland and Ridge Lakes. An official website of the 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. The best troutin is in the more remote lakes, many located in the southwestern portion of the area. To get to the lakes, we had to hug the ridge to our left, due south west. Climbing up the boulders, we were amazed to see horse poop, a sign that they too ventured along this steep path. While the durable surface is no longer a trail, you should still pay attention to your surroundings. Option to stay in Upper Relief Lakes. 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. Cell Reception: Dont expect any. Campsite Location Visitors are required to camp at least 100 feet away from water, trails, and "no camping" posts. 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. #1 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. There is no exception for using existing sites that are too close to water. View a mapof trail distances in the wilderness. FAX (209) 533-1890 We can also see this formation in the second image above. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. We sat up at the top for a while, amazed by the amphitheater of sloping granite and patchy trees. The trail passed through a pleasant pine forest. This was alarming but not surprising, and we were prepared with our bear canister full to the brim. We left camp to climb Grizzly Peak at 8:29. Enter at Kennedy Meadows. Theres none in the wilderness or Crabtree Road. So continue south, passing by Ridge Lake before going to Iceland. Where is the best place to hike in Emigrant Wilderness? Mileage: 9 miles. The Fishing Advice is your no-nonsense, fishing news and information website. We soaked our tired feet in the cold water and happily ate our dinner. Rock and snow are the most durable surfaces to use while hiking off-trail. Emigrant Wilderness is great because it is super easy to get a permit, and permits are free! Only later did I remember that I had hit the outside of my foot against a sharp rock. The Emigrant Wilderness is best accessible from Hwy 108, either via Kennedy Meadows (no, not that one) in the north or via the town of Pinecrest and then Crabtree Road from the west, leading to several trailheads, including Crabtree and Gianelli. Granite basins carved by glaciers, jeweled with lakes, and speckled with wildflowers attract visitors to the Emigrant Wilderness. Check here to see if you can apply for an online permit. Once back at the car, we changed our clothes, put our sore and tired feet in our trusty Crocs, and headed down the mountain. I had to abandon my plan to keep hiking up North Fork Cherry Creek toward the upper Emigrant Lakes. Great trail. However, because we went during the COVID pandemic, we filled out our permit online. Most of the buildings were made with local sugar pine logs and seemed to be in pretty good shape. A ranger that I met on the trail the day before said that hed heard anglers catch 25-inch trouts there. Wearing both a fleece and gloves, I started climbing. The views over Huckleberry Lake were some of the most impressive of the trip so far. There were quite a few hills that I didnt want to have to unnecessarily go up only to come back down. They included a few small cabins, a barn, a hitching post, an outhouse, and various dilapidated items. My 12-foot rod bent as the line whizzed through the water. The park's runner-up is Gianelli to Black Hawk Mountain, which will get you 1,779 m of elevation gain. We hiked the loop in early October and only encountered a handful of other hikers over three days. Historic and scenic, the trail offers magnificent vistas far south into Yosemite and north to the jumbled volcanic peaks of the Sonora Pass country. 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. I stopped at Camp Lake to fill up on water and layer down. The mosquitoes are thick near wet areas during June and July. For more info on how to protect your food (and Sierra Bears) check out the bear section. The signs while driving in are very clear as to where you can and can not park overnight. And we needed a little wiggle room in case our newly planned route wasnt successful. 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. Posted September 11, 2015. Gaps in the trees offered occasional glimpses of granite cliffs and the views ahead. The next night, we hid in a well-covered dirt site next to a smaller lake and woke up with zero condensation. This is a popular spot for picnicking day hikers and swimmers alike. The Marines' Mountain Warfare Training Center, the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, and the Hoover Wilderness form the Emigrant Wilderness' eastern border. Once in the meadow, we just had to walk across to the trail on the other side! Because of that, I brought 2 sleeping pads and my 10-degree sleeping bag. The Backcountry Horsemen of California, Midvalley Chapter, Wilderness Volunteers Projects (National). Gradual sloping granite, YES! Drive carefully on Crabtree Road, and look out for horse poop on the trail. Looking for a more strenuous hike? Kibbie Ridge, Kennedy Meadows, Crabtree and Bell Meadow are the most frequented. Stanislaus National Forest The closest snow to the bay is in the Sierras. This trail is estimated to be 73.9 km long and takes on average 22 h 59 min to hike. 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. However, fires arent always allowed. Emigrant wasnt our first choice, but it was the only wilderness area open to overnight use at the time. The next morning, the smoke had cleared and we headed out early for our climb back down to Louse Canyon. So you need to know the regulations for where you are and make sure you dont have fires if you reach a certain elevation. Are there bears in Emigrant Wilderness? We also contemplated a summit of Granite Dome, but were too tired on the day we hiked to Iceland Lake. however, there are no quotas or fees within the Emigrant. Pinecrest, CA 95364 Camping and Permits: Permits are required from April 1 to Nov. 30 for any overnight travel in the Emigrant Wilderness. Leave No Trace Center has good guidelines for following this rule. According to AllTrails.com, the longest lake trail in Emigrant Wilderness is. Days: 2 days, 1 night. The waypoints mapped here indicate suggested places to camp each night to break up the days, but there are other options out there. At Huckleberry Lake, I left the main trail and headed up towards Letora Lake. Went to Chewing Gum Lake over the Labor Day weekend. word of caution is in order. Highest Elevation: 9200 ft. Park: Stanislaus National Forest (California, USA) Trail(s): Huckleberry Trail, Lunch Meadow Trail. Visitors are required to camp at least 100 feet away from water, trails, and no camping posts. I used my GPS a bit in this area to make sure we were going the right direction. Campfires are prohibited above 9000 feet, and no campfires are allowed within mile of Emigrant Lake. Every step I took on my left foot resulted in a stabbing pain near my heel. For more information please visit the Stanislaus National Forest Recreational Opportunity Guides listed below: Operated under special use permitwithin the Stanislaus National Forest. The wide meandering creek flows out of Kennedy Lake, which is pretty, but muddy this time of year. The Bell Meadow Trail parallels the Crabtree Trail, and can create a variety of nice loops to explore. 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. I packed away my rod and continued along the lakeshore. This trail is 8.5 mi long with an elevation gain of 1,555 ft. But to be a good wilderness steward when youre off-trail, there are some key points you should follow. After studying the landscape, we found that it would be pretty easy to get down to Lower Relief Valley as long as we stayed further west on the slope, towards the meadows under East Flange Rock. Emigrant Wilderness Gianelli Trailhead. Unlike our first two days, we had to get up and hiking early today, since we had miles to hike and a long drive home ahead! It was also mostly downhill, which was great. 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. 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. You could easily spend another night up in this basin! I gave it a few quick jigs and boomthe trout slammed the fly. Ever since the Clark Skidmore party crossed Emigrant Pass this area has been an important part of Californias heritage. Long Lake is a fetching place, with several good campsites along the western shore. The two times Ive done this loop the crowds were extremely thin, so we never had to search for campsites. In order to access the off-trail lakes for this trip, we headed south at Piute Meadow on a small connector trail to join up with the Bell Meadow trail near Groundhog Meadow (lots of meadows, I know!). Want to find the best trails in Emigrant Wilderness for an adventurous hike or a family trip? Access overall is good. Be sure to file a trip itinerary with the local rangess and obtain necessary permits before heading out into this remote wilderness. Permits are required for overnight trips. It was still near freezing when I started my backpacking trip. I planned a 3-night trip to Emigrant Wilderness to fish Emigrant Lake and some smaller lakes. Any time of year, head to Emigrant Lakethe Point RV park offers full hookups and lake views. I pulled out the barbless hook, snapped a quick picture, and released it. Instead, I headed South, toward Huckleberry Lake, passing Blackbird and Maxwell Lakes. Which trail has the most elevation gain in Emigrant Wilderness? Hikers with strong backs should also consider packing in a small inflatable boat. The nearest town is Pinecrest, a popular destination for both summer and winter tourists. ( Day One: Crabtree Trailhead to Camp Lake, 3 milesDay Two: Camp Lake to Grouse Lake, 12.5 milesDay Three: Grouse Lake to Crabtree Trailhead, 4 miles. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock We then added crushed bean chips and turkey jerky. You can also take the short spur to Bear Lake, on the junction directly after Camp Lake. 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. Went to Chewing Gum Lake over the Labor Day weekend. Bank anglers will find places to get to . And when we got to the top, we soon found ourselves at Letora Lake--an absolute garden spot in its own right. Pets must be kept on leash or under immediate voice control at all times and are not allowed to harass wildlife. Long Lake is one of the numerous lakes in the Emigrant Wilderness enlarged by a rock dam at the outlet, which keeps the stream flow steadier throughout the summer. While at the lake of High Relief Valley, I realized that the abundant scat on the tops of granite boulders was caused by marmots. This ~20-mile loop can quickly become 30 miles if you forget to start your loop back. If you're looking for elevation gain, Emigrant Wilderness has you covered. Keeping pets on leash helps prevent them from being harmed by stock animals or wildlife. https://www.fs.usda.gov/detailfull/stanislaus/specialplaces/?cid=stelprdb5361242&width=full Over three days portion of the trip so far other hikers over three days an elevation gain of 1,555.... Were made with local sugar pine logs and seemed to be in pretty good shape trails, and look for! Spot in its own right website you are and make sure you dont have if. Into canyons and climbs ridges undulating best lakes in emigrant wilderness this basin reviews, this is definitely five-star. Wilderness Volunteers Projects ( National ) fishing news and information website great trail due West! Trails have an average 4.5-star rating from 1,485 AllTrails community reviews so you need know... 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