The historic Emigrant Trail is met part way along the hike and offers an alternative for the more elevation hungry. Sierra North is the leading backpacking resource for backpacking in the northern Permits are required from April 1 through November 30. Your email address will not be published. Campsite elevation: 7,600 feet. Essentials. Emigrant Lake is a small man made lake that empties in the winter and fills up fully before summer. RESERVATIONS HAVE TO BE MADE WITH AT LEAST 24 HOURS NOTICE AND CAN BE MADE ONLINE OR BY PHONE (541) 774-8183.. Reservations may be made online or by phone 15 days to 9 months … Campsites spread across entire lake. Tom Harrison maps have quickly become the favorites of back country travelers. Four USGS 7.5 min Topo Hiking Maps . 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 … Maybe a mile and a half if you come at it from Bear lake, a half a mile if you come at it from Y Meadow Lake. Rounded granite domes, alpine meadows, cascading streams, and stately forests greet backpackers on the 14-mile journey to the lake. Backcountry Regulations for the Emigrant Wilderness. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round. Wilderness Permits are required and can be picked up at the Summit Ranger Station in Pinecrest, California. Hiking past Blackbird Lake brought a cool encounter with a family backpacking team, the Rileys, including both two and four legged team members. Easy. 8am to 4:30pm, (209) 586-3234 or Leavitt Lake/High Emigrant Lake/Snow Lake Emigrant Wilderness Friday 09/13/2002 - Sunday 09/15/2002 Hike Data: Length: 30.5 miles Elevation Gain: 4,800 feet Elevation Loss: 4,800 feet Time: 15 hours Difficulty: 3.5/5 Rating: 3.5/5 Other Information: There is no fee. We passed several groups of backpackers. About half of the road is paved, so plan for about 30- 45 minutes to reach it. A dear friend told me about Emigrant Lake Trail for backpacking and camping. Dog friendly. Whether you prefer to be surrounded by trees or along the edge of the lake, it just takes a little exploring to find the perfect spot. Emigrant Lake is considered one of the premier destinations in the Emigrant Wilderness. Dogs are also able to use this trail. Hiking Sequoia National Park : the Lakes trail, Last minute weekend Camping in Big Sur, California. Hiking Project is built by hikers like you. The streams had dried up, leaving small puddles of algae and brook trout here and there. Add Your Trails. After about 1 mile of hiking, you will find the Emigrant Wilderness sign. This trip is located in the Emigrant Wilderness on the Stanislas National Forest. Emigrant Lake is a local oasis nestled between the hills of Ashland and a great opportunity to get away from it all without having to go too far from home. Emigrant Meadow Lake sits in a large open basin with 360-degree views. If you visit during the spring, you might be lucky enough to wander through the incredible burst of yellow and purple flowers that cover the meadow. Getting there: Emigrant Wilderness is located 160 miles west of San Francisco. Trails in Emigrant Lake - 5. Chewing Gum lake veers towards the right, taking you through a beautiful meadow. We found the rangers there super friendly and were happy to offer advice about where to hike and camp if you need some extra guidance. The trail then passes Powell lake, which is also a nice place to camp or stop for lunch and a swim. Emigrant Wilderness is one of the most popular places for Northern California groups to complete a 50 mile backpacking trip. The first 2/3 of the trail is rather flat and appropriate for all skill levels. About half the hike follows the southern shore of Caples Lake, a man-made reservoir. Kennedy Meadows Pack Station knows every mile of the trails through the Emigrant Wilderness. Backpacking at Chewing Gum Lake, Emigrant Wilderness. The Point RV Park, OPEN YEAR-ROUND, features 32 sites with full hookups, overlooking beautiful shoreline on the lake's north end. Emigrant Wilderness is an area located North of Yosemite. You can get your permit at the Ranger Station (Summit Ranger District Office), located along the CA108 at the cross road with Pinecrest Lake Road. Northwest Map Sonora Pass, Calif, 1979 7.5 minute Topographic … Located just north of Yosemite National Park, the Emigrant Wilderness in the Stanislaus National Forest offers an incredible array of natural environments and terrain. This trip, we decided to go in to Granite Lake, which is sort of off-trail, though not by huge amounts. The trail begins at the western-most point of Caples Lake, and takes you to Emigrant Lake. 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. It’s part of the Stanislaus National Forest and spans about 15 miles in width and 25 miles in length. Every effort is made to provide accurate and up to date information, but we cannot be responsible Take a look at the page “Granite Dome Day Hike” for more detail on our route to the summit from this campsite. Emigrant Wilderness is an area located North of Yosemite. Backpack 6.2 miles from Twin Lake to Emigrant Lake. Each party is limited to a maximum size of 15 people. With easy walking distance are a number other great lakes. 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. Alternative to the crowds of Yosemite. The Emigrant is most easily accessible from Hwy 108, with many visitors entering from near Pinecrest Lake or Kennedy Meadows. Caples Lake to Emigrant Lake Trail is a 9.6 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Kirkwood, California that features a lake and is rated as moderate. I swim there every other day, and paddle board. The trail begins by skirting Caples Lake for the first two-miles. A convenient restroom and a large sign marking the trail head set you on your way four-miles back to Emigrant Lake. Distance: 5 miles. Emigrant Lake is a magnificent destination for an extended Emigrant Wilderness adventure. DUE TO COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS, RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED. Emigrant Wilderness Backpacking Loop . 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 trail carries you to the lake, about 1 mile further. Ashland, OR Easy. Like Yosemite, it has towering granite mountains and spectacular alpine lakes. We both agree that it was the best backpacking trip we’ve taken so far. A wilderness permit for the Emigrant Wildnerness is required. Elevation loss: 1,500 feet. for errors or changes that may have occurred since publication. The last mile up to the lake schleps up the hill, and has some uneven terrain that may not be suitable for people with limited mobility and/or small children. Required fields are marked *. In Tuolumne County pick up a wilderness permit at the 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. I admit I don’t do a lot of backpacking, I am a day hiker, I like to sleep in my own bed and need coffee in the morning, but eight-miles is a doable day hike and with the drive it’s a full day. Emigrant Wilderness is in Stanislaus National Forest, North of Yosemite. Ashland, OR 1 1.8 mi 3.0 km #2 Emigrant Lake South Shore Trail. We found a small sandy spot at the very top of the rocks along the north side of the lake, overlooking the water and with the perfect jumping off spot for an early morning dip. We camped on the north end of the lake. Sierra. Backpacking in the Emigrant Wilderness! A Wilderness Permit is required for every party camping overnight in the Emigrant Wilderness. Read Later Share. 0.8 mi 1.3 km #1 Cemetery Trail. For me I always have a great experience there. Go for a cold dip in the water. Bay Area Workers’ rating: 6/10.While Emigrant Lake boasts stellar views, there are better backpacking possibilities with the same drive time from San Francisco. Campfires are prohibited in the Emigrant Wilderness … 8am - 4pm. Our trip: Date : Mid- August 2016 We spent our trip at Chewing Gum Lake over the course of a weekend. Backpacking Tahoe National Forest Reopens: Campfires, Dispersed Camping, and Target Shooting Still Prohibited The Tahoe National Forest does not issue wilderness permits for the Pacific Crest Trail. There’s nothing like a relaxing weekend in the Sierra backcountry. The backpacking community on YouTube has helped me so much, and I thought it would be good to give back by making a video of the Emigrant Wilderness. Making a Reservation for a campsite at Emigrant Lake RV Park or Oak Slope Campground (Follow Steps Below) . 0 4000 2. Day 6: On our last night, we may choose to camp at Piute Meadow, or Lily Pad Lake or Grouse Lake. The park is beautiful and well cared for. 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. The Fishing The Emigrant Wilderness is … may have been made. Anglers often spend a week there, working around its long shoreline. You can enter Emigrant from Yosemtie (Boundary Lake), Hwy 108 (Crabtree, Gianelli Cabin, and Kennedy Meadows), or the Sonora Pass… 2. Call ahead. Always confirm information with the service provider and check for any recent changes that Over Brown Bear Pass, we will travel on a mix of extrusive volcanic and granite terrain then finally return to the forest and our only stay along Summit Creek. permit from the Bridgeport Ranger Station Highway 395 (south of Bridgeport), (760) 932-7070, summer hours Intermediate. Mi-Wuk Ranger Station, 24695 Highway 108 (just east of Mi-Wuk Village), Emigrant Meadow Lake was shallow and marshy. Between it and Covered Wagon Peak, at about 9,400 feet, is a plaque denoting the elevation high-point of the pioneers' route. It’s part of the Stanislaus National Forest and spans about 15 miles in width and 25 miles in length. The trail (20E14, cf map below) is pretty easy to follow and really well maintained. 3-day spectacular Emigrant Wilderness backpacking loop. 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. Enjoy a calming sunset over the lake. The area is dominated by glaciated landscape, granite and lava capped mountains, as well as many lakes and meadows. Getting there: Summary: A moderate hike near Carson Pass leads up to a pretty lake located within a steep cirque surrounded by multiple 9,500'+ peaks. About half an hour later we got to the Gianeli Trailhead to start the trek at 1pm. It climbs upwards (sometimes above 9000ft), so be careful if you are not used to hiking at such a high elevation. The trail offers gorgeous panoramic views overlooking the Valley and the Sierras. The Trailhead is located 12 miles from the Ranger Station. This popular trail to Emigrant Lake is heavily utilized by horses & mules - so there's lot of manure and dust. Planning and Permits. We'll hike mostly on trail through classic Emigrant country past appropriately named Jewelry and Gem lakes and crossing Cherry and Piute Creeks. Day 7: This day, we will begin our 6.1-mile on-trail travel to Saucer Meadow. On the east side of the Sierra you may be able to get your The information provided on this website is done so without warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, including but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. 7 miles roundtrip with a 500 foot elevation gain. 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 National Park. Treat your water! Kennedy Meadows Pack Station loop via Kennedy Lake to Grizzly Peak to TYT North to Kennedy Meadows: 31.06 miles. The sky was a bit clearer towards north. You can’t miss it. After another mile you’ll reach a fork. It includes a section on the Emigrant Wilderness. Start checking them out and you'll be out on the trail in no time! It takes about 3h to get there (via PineCrest) Permit: Permits are required for any overnight trip in Emigrant wilderness. Start by picking up your wilderness permit at the Summit Ranger Station near Pinecrest - (209) 965-3434. This is … The lake is surrounded by awesome places to set up your camp. Bear canisters are not required in the Emigrant Wilderness. They all spent one night on the trail prior to reaching Emigrant Lake. 8am to 5pm, fall and spring they close at 4:30 and are not open on Sundays. We will arrive in the afternoon to explore Pinecrest, pick up our permit and do a short warm-up hike. Bear canisters are not required in the Emigrant Wilderness. Elevation gain: 1,200 feet. We left San Francisco at about 8am and got to the the Ranger Station around noon to pick up our permit.