Backpack to Bear Lake (Emigrant Wilderness) Pinecrest, California 4.5/5 based on 4 reviews Save View all 6 photos Review Directions Add Photo Details Distance 8.34 miles Elevation Gain 705 ft Route Type Out-and-Back Description Added by Greg Balkin 7 miles roundtrip with a 500 foot elevation gain. In the Emigrant Wilderness the use of bear resistant food storage containers is highly recommended. I pulled out the barbless hook, snapped a quick picture, and released it. No holding of more than 4 head of stock within mile of the following lakes:, Gem, Jewelry, Long, Maxwell, Pingree, Piute and Rosasco. 2022 Backcountry Emily Privacy Policy Terms & Conditions. For this trip, we decided to explore several lakes in the southwestern portion of Emigrant. This is because Kennedy Meadows Resort is private property, but it edges right up against National Forest land. No trail head marker exists at the beginning but the single track begins at the parking turnout. My 12-foot rod bent as the line whizzed through the water. Emigrant Wilderness and Sachse Monument Loop boasts the most elevation gain for lake trails with 9,373 ft of total ascent. The Big SEKI Loop is a 155-mile loop in the High Sierra in California that can be modified in multiple ways. Your information is safe with Sierra Rec. Camp on surfaces that are hard. This ~20-mile loop can quickly become 30 miles if you forget to start your loop back. Closest Major City: Modesto, California(three hours). But I have to say, I could feel fall coming in the mountains. Around the lake, you'll find gentle hiking trails, swimming . Location: 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 north shore Trail engineers had carved stairs into the granite in a few sections, and we marveled at the high cliffs along the way. on official, secure websites. A ranger that I met on the trail the day before said that hed heard anglers catch 25-inch trouts there. You cant get down this way. Easy access with over 1/4 mile frontage on the County maintained graded gravel . Stanislaus National Forest If you came to camp Emigrant Wilderness - Upper Relief Reservoir is a great site to do that. On Hwy 108, this transition occurs between the small towns of Twain Harte and Mi-Wuk Village. We encountered thunderstorms on Monday afternoon. I recommend this trip for a leisurely escape into the wilderness, as opposed to a trip where mileage is the goal. Emigrant Wilderness Gianelli Trailhead. Also, in October we saw only a handful of other people on trail. Though the weather will be extremely pleasant in the summer, bugs will be out in full force. Along the way we met a friendly older gentleman who was going out for 2-3 weeks with his fishing gear. While the durable surface is no longer a trail, you should still pay attention to your surroundings. I planned to camp at Wood Lake. The Best Backpacking Destinations in Ansel Adams Wilderness; Explore Parker Lake; Explore John Muir Wilderness. This required some steep climbing in the heat of the day, but proved to be a fun adventure. Lake Elevation: 7,525 feet. We crossed the dry creek bed and climbed a steep, rocky slope up to beautiful Rosasco Lake. We've got you covered, with trails ranging from 268 to 2,857 meters in elevation gain. Thorston Tichenor There we were, sitting under a tree by a pristine creek in the Sierra wilderness. This trail is estimated to be 73.9 km long and takes on average 22 h 59 min to hike. The southeast side was nasty and I broke an expensive trekking pole. More on this later. Elevations range from below 5000 feet near Cherry Reservoir to 11,570 feet at Leavitt Peak. We left camp to climb Grizzly Peak at 8:29. On the way, I lost count of the many mounds of berry-filled bear scat we passed. . On this day, the air was crisp and we were excited to start our trek into the unknown. We had identified this area from above, but still made the mistake. Though eventually abandoned as a major travel route over the Sierra, the Emigrants water continues to make the area a vital resource for California. Stranislaus Wilderness Volunteers is a group of citizens who formed in 1991 with a shared love of wilderness and are dedicated to protecting it. But to be a good wilderness steward when youre off-trail, there are some key points you should follow. But, like most things in life, LNT is not black and white. For these reasons, weve explored the Emigrant Wilderness every summer and fall since we started backpacking in 2018. The trailhead at Crabtree Camp is easily accessible by . Kennedy Meadows and Relief Reservoir trailhead to Granite Dome Lakes. The fall months are much cooler and provide less water, but there wont be any bugs. Check here to see if you can apply for an online permit. Are there bears in Emigrant Wilderness? Since we went slower in this area on the way in, we almost sprinted through here on the way out, just ready to get back to the cars & find some real food to eat on the drive home! 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. A few of the regionally popular patterns fished dry are the California Mosquito, Light Cahill, Black Gnat, Elk Hair Caddis and Joes Hopper. The best times to visit Emigrant Wilderness are from June to September, with afternoon thunderstorms always possible (so come prepared). We started making our way down, following the nice granite slopes. Lots of river access along the way which was great for a hot weekend. After a restful night, we hiked up the rocks to perhaps our favorite part of the trip. These are typically self-serve, free, and unlimited at any Stanislaus National Forest ranger station. https://www.fs.usda.gov/detailfull/stanislaus/specialplaces/?cid=stelprdb5361242&width=full The trail is dotted with lakes and streams, offering frequent water sources and campsites. It can easily be completed in a three-day weekend, including travel time. The Emigrant Wilderness Loop is a 19.5-mile loop located in Stanislaus National Forest, California, that can be hiked in 1-3 days. Ready for your next hike or bike ride? The last climb up to the trailhead offered a new landscape of volcanic rock and bright-yellow aspen. While the trip is suited for beginner cross-country hikers, please do not take cross-country travel lightly. The trail passed through a pleasant pine forest. #10 - Emigrant Wilderness and Sachse Monument Loop. We inadvertently found an unmarked trail that would ultimately lead back to the Bell Meadow trail, but that wasnt in our plan so we backtracked. Long Lake is a fetching place, with several good campsites along the western shore. Thankfully, a group of us were all able to get time off, so we set off for the mountains! Please be mindful of falling rocks. Theres none in the wilderness or Crabtree Road. There was a faint use trail, and a cairn (stack of rocks) on the other side of the creek. Both Salt Lick and Spring Meadows are phenomenal; Long Lakes is an option for sleeping as well. Leave no Trace and off-trail backpacking. There are over 185 miles of trails designated for foot or horse traffic only. There arent any excruciatingly long climbs, and the weather is pleasant well past August. After I camped next to one of these lakes back in 2015, I was completely hooked. Option to stay in Upper Relief Lakes. We thought we would try to summit Granite Dome on this day, but most of us were too tired, and when studying the maps, the route up looks much better from Upper Lewis Lake than Iceland Lake. The granite ridges are smaller in scale compared to Yosemite, but the area offers a true wilderness experience with very few tourists venturing into the more remote areas of the region. For more information on how to get a wilderness permit for the Emigrant Wilderness, click here. Pets must be kept on leash or under immediate voice control at all times and are not allowed to harass wildlife. website belongs to an official government organization in the When shes not guzzling instant coffee in the backcountry, you can find her down the ski slopes or using inappropriatelanguage around children at the climbing gym. This 2-night backpacking trip in Emigrant Wilderness lets you soak in nature in solitude. Went to Chewing Gum Lake over the Labor Day weekend. If you have to walk through grasses or a meadow, try to identify dry areas, and do not walk in a single-file line if you are with more than one person. The Lost Coast Trail is a 26.4-mile point-to-point backpacking route along Californias North Coast. The trail followed the edge of a large meadow on the Northside of Upper Buck Lake. I'd like to go back and explore the big Cherry Creek Canyon below. Location: Stanislaus National Forest, Emigrant Wilderness, near the town of Sorona, CA in Northern California east of the San Francisco Bay Area. What is the longest lake trail in Emigrant Wilderness? word of caution is in order. Permits are required for overnight trips. View a mapof trail distances in the wilderness. My first trip to the Sierras this year was on July 4th for an overnight stay in Emigrant Wilderness. In the late spring and early summer, the rushing water along the creek creates gorgeous cascades for miles along this canyon. There is some controversy about them, and some are being phased out, though not this one. For ramblings, rants, and the occasional dose of inspirational musing follow her on Instagram or her blogSmall Towns to Summits. It takes an average of 4 h 4 min to hike. I rigged my Tenkara rod and picked a size 16 bead head nymph with a pink hotspot. I also planned to do some off-trail exploration in the high country. Went to Chewing Gum Lake over the Labor Day weekend. We left the official trail at West Fork Cherry Creek, venturing down Louse Canyon. Share sensitive information only The Marines' Mountain Warfare Training Center, the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, and the Hoover Wilderness form the Emigrant Wilderness' eastern border. Only later did I remember that I had hit the outside of my foot against a sharp rock. Like much of the Sierra Nevada, the Emigrant Wilderness is a land of endless granite landscapes carved out by glaciers and water over millions of years. Backpacking is the best way to explore and truly immerse yourself in this majestic setting. however, there are no quotas or fees within the Emigrant. Most of the reliable water sources are lakes, which have a varying degree of swampy-ness. You can read about my most recent pack trip, to Emigrant Lake, on my blog: www.leehaskin.blogspot.com Unfortunately, the Brookies, although big, are taking over this amazing Rainbow fishery. Emigrant Wilderness and Sachse Monument Loop. Waste MUST be packed out from November to May. I passed through some of the most impressive granite landscapes of the whole trip. Which lake trail has the most elevation gain in Emigrant Wilderness? Sonora, CA 95370 The wide meandering creek flows out of Kennedy Lake, which is pretty, but muddy this time of year. Campfires are prohibited above 9000 feet, and no campfires are allowed within mile of Emigrant Lake. LockA locked padlock I quickly found out that cross-country travel is pretty fun: you get to choose your our route a bit, and read the terrain to figure out the best ways to go. Enjoy hand-curated trail maps, along with reviews and photos from nature lovers like you. Backpacking Hyatt Lake in Emigrant Wilderness. Patches of trees and boulders, NO! Off the 108, turn right onto Crabtree Road and 10 miles down the road is the parking lot and overnight campsite for this trailhead. I could feel the group getting tired, so we decided to keep continuing after a nice break. The trail was very wide and sandy until we hit the border of the Emigrant Wilderness, when the trail turned into more of a trail than a dirt road. Hike to above Relief Reservoir. Snowpacks typically linger into June, sometimes later following very wet winters. Any time of year, head to Emigrant Lakethe Point RV park offers full hookups and lake views. Be sure to file a trip itinerary with the local rangess and obtain necessary permits before heading out into this remote wilderness. Hyatt Lake is a great place. The 113,000 acre Emigrant Wilderness; bordered by Yosemite National Park on the south,the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest on the east, and State Highway 108 on the north; is an elongated area that trends northeast about 25 miles in length and up to 15 miles in width. These lake trails have an average 4.5-star rating from 1,371 AllTrails community reviews. CaseyKaty It looked like the trail didnt get much traffic. Gently rolling land in front of Buffalo Mountain. 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. Food storage: Bear canisters are not required in Stanislaus National Forest, but are highly recommended. This hike has off-trail portions to get to Iceland Lake. Even so, the trail had well-constructed steps that ascended the granite. Emigrant Wilderness Think of Emigrant Wilderness as Yosemite's forgotten little brother. According to users from AllTrails.com, the best place to hike in Emigrant Wilderness is Gianelli Trail to Chewing Gum Lake, which has a 4.7 star rating from 315 reviews. The route was created originally as an alternative to John Muir Trail and can be hiked in 7-17 days. Bear Lake sits just inside the Emigrant Wilderness nestled in a granite valley accompanied by a sea of conifers. Stoves were still banned, so we had to cold soak our food, but good times were had. This trail is 8.5 mi long with an elevation gain of 1,555 ft. Cross-country travel can seem like the exact opposite of Leave No Trace. By studying your maps and making a trip plan ahead of time, youll know where you want to camp and if you could have a fire there or not. There are also two First Come, First Served designated USFS campgrounds on the road: Baker and Deadman. Of course, if there is an actual trail that you can follow, use the trail to reduce impact. I had to abandon my plan to keep hiking up North Fork Cherry Creek toward the upper Emigrant Lakes. If you're looking for elevation gain, Emigrant Wilderness has you covered. When I got to the West side of the lake, I was disappointed to notice that it was a shallow, swampy lake. The Drive Up . The descent to Huckleberry Lake was painful. We soaked our tired feet in the cold water and happily ate our dinner. My Garmin Fenix 6 Sapphire watch and GaiaGPS phone app were great companions to the map & compass. Please take a moment to learn our wilderness regulations and review Leave No Trace methods before visiting this outstanding national resource. Trails: out via Crabtree and back via Bell Meadow trail. At this point, it had been over two full days since Id seen another person, and over a day since Id even seen a footprint. You should have a paper map and compass with you, and be familiar with reading topographical maps to understand the terrain you will be walking through. 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. Pingree, Black Hawk, Shallow Hyatt, Rosasco, Lost, Cow Meadow, Yellow Hammer, Big and Deer Lakes are just a few of the more productive waters. We took this loop clockwise, heading in the direction of Camp Lake on the first day. The elevation profile is comparable for both options. From there, the trail descends into canyons and climbs ridges undulating in this familiar fashion for miles. 108, the Sonora Pass, is about 30 miles out of the town of Sonora. The elevation gain was not particularly kind to me. 1 Pinecrest Lake Road Gaps in the trees offered occasional glimpses of granite cliffs and the views ahead. If you're looking for elevation gain, Emigrant Wilderness has you covered. We enjoyed the spot, and we had it all to ourselves! Explore the most popular lake trails in Emigrant Wilderness with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you. Since it was now late in the day, the light was perfect. Explored new territory off trail. Normally, youd just stop at the ranger station to pick up a permit for wherever you want to hike, but since offices were closed due to COVID, there was an easy online form to fill out, and your permit was available to print out right away. Hikers with strong backs should also consider packing in a small inflatable boat. Permit and Bear Canister Required. 93 Acres located on the scenic Old Emigrant Trail near the historic ghost town of Unionville, Nevada. The park's runner-up is Gianelli to Black Hawk Mountain, which will get you 1,779 m of elevation gain. Starting at the border, about a mile into the hike, the trail begins to climb. Highest Elevation: 9200 ft. Park: Stanislaus National Forest (California, USA) Trail(s): Huckleberry Trail, Lunch Meadow Trail. We chose to start our trip on the Crabtree Trail and return via Bell Meadow Trail for a change of scenery. Choice to use NF parking lot, or pay at Kennedy Store (puts you 1/2 mile closer to trailhead). FAX (209) 965-3372 From the Box Spring trailhead, you can reach the following lakes: Chain Lakes: 5 small lakes less than 7 acres each at 7586' elevation.2.2 miles from the trailhead . Posted on August 18, 2014. The Emigrant is most easily accessible from Hwy 108, with many visitors entering from near Pinecrest Lake or Kennedy Meadows. Where is the best lake trail to hike in Emigrant Wilderness? With its eastern edge running along the spine of Sierra Nevada range, the Emigrant Wilderness encompasses a vast diversity within its borders. SWV members provide education to wilderness visitors, perform work projects, and monitor wilderness resources in support of the US Forest Service. I hiked from Crabtree Campground past Rosasco Lake, and that was pretty easy. We didnt cross the creek until we hit the meadow. Third, I had already planned a 7-day trip in the area as a backup, so I was able to shorten that itinerary and cover 4 lakes instead of the original 8. A one-night, 32-mile trip starting at Hunting Hollow, passing Kelly Lake, Coit Lake, and Pacheco Camp on the way to Mississippi Lake. " Lee Watts OpenMapTiles OSM 4.3 Miles Point to Point 9,748' High 8,476' Low 464' Up 1,378' There's an earthen boat ramp at Songer Wayside on the Emigrant Creek arm. The Emigrant Wilderness is the Yosemite backcountrys underappreciated cousin. There were quite a few hills that I didnt want to have to unnecessarily go up only to come back down. We stopped at an overlook right before this trail met up with the main trail that we hiked in on. Leave No Trace Center has good guidelines for following this rule. The Department of Fish and Game estimates that 42 lakes in this basin have rainbows, 28 have brookies, 6 have goldens, 2 have rainbows and brookies and 1 has rainbows and brown trout. Thankfully, we didnt have to backtrack too much, we just traversed the ridge to our left, westwardly, until we hit the first major creek drainage (which was dry), which was the safest way down. Return via Willow Ridge and Los Cruzeros. The rocky shore dropped deep into the lake and offered trout places to hide. Donning neck gaiters over our faces, we followed a horse trail down to what we thought was our trail intersection, but we were wrong! The trail is only maintained for part of this route. My favorite part of any drive into the Sierra Nevada is the transition between oak woodland to incense cedar and pine. The Crabtree Trail climbs gradually up a forested ridge for 2.5 miles to the easily accessible Camp Lake. It is a place where the pines, cedars, and firs of the Stanislaus National Forest gradually thin as granite cliffs, mountain tops, and monoliths take over. Dog friendly. Contact information: Stanislaus National Forest. At the trail junction, we turned north and climbed 500ft up a ridge to the intersection with Crabtree Trail, ultimately making our way back to the trailhead. Emigrant Lake has county recreational facilities and good amenities, including several campgrounds, two developed boat ramps and more. Kibbie Ridge, Kennedy Meadows, Crabtree and Bell Meadow are the most frequented. This was a quick 2-mile jaunt to the peak's volcanic summit, where we enjoyed great views. Emigrant Wilderness - Emigrant Lake, Pinecrest, 6 miles away : Hotels Near Sharon Lake: Super 8 Gardnerville Topaz Lake, Gardnerville, 25 miles away: Best . My main concern was to stay warm at night. 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. It is a large lot with plenty of spots. Whatever you have planned for the day, you can find the perfect trail for your next trip to Emigrant Wilderness. United States government. I kept going. Chewing Gum Lake is no exception. Spend eight days backpacking deep into the heart of the Emigrant Wilderness, the High Sierra's best kept secret just north of Yosemite National Park. Native brown trout can be found in Summit, Lily and Horsemeadow Creeks. My 3-day October trip to Desolation Wilderness, exploring the less-visited northwestern parts of the wilderness area. The best troutin is in the more remote lakes, many located in the southwestern portion of the area. Short, remote hike to some beautiful lakes. I used my GPS a bit in this area to make sure we were going the right direction. There are a few rocky sections, where the path is lined with small rocks across slabs of granite. Im normally not a fan of wilderness reservoirs, but Relief is pretty. There are 12 lake trails in Emigrant Wilderness. It was surprisingly delicious! Summit District. Learn how your comment data is processed. in On Adventures The trip to Iceland lake (in the area generally called "Granite Dome's Golden Trout Lakes" by the Emigrant Wilderness Guidebook) was our first ever backpacking Stanislaus National Forest. Subcommittee on Forests and Public Land Management ISBN: Format: PDF, ePub, Mobi There are no trailhead quotas, but there are group size quotas. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. No more than 15 people and 25 head of stock are allowed on overnight trips. Camping and Permits: Permits are required from April 1 to Nov. 30 for any overnight travel in the Emigrant Wilderness. This means camping at least 200 feet from water, 100 feet from established trails, and away from fragile terrain such as meadows. After that, it becomes an off-trail route with little evidence that there was ever a trail. Because of that, I brought 2 sleeping pads and my 10-degree sleeping bag. There wasn't a soul around, the moon. Stanislaus National Forest Backcountry Permit. I had time for one last weekend trip to the Sierra before winter. It was way too big for me to eat, especially right after breakfast. Emigrant Wilderness and Sachse Monument Loop boasts the most elevation gain with 2,857 m of total ascent. A partnership of the National Park Service and the United States Forest Service. The Emigrant has really went downhill the last few years as well as as other wilderness areas. All Rights Reserved. To the north, the Emigrant Wilderness is bordered by the Carson-Iceberg Wilderness and the Mokelumne Wilderness. It was much cooler, especially in the shade! According to users from AllTrails.com, the best place to hike in Emigrant Wilderness is. It might sound counterintuitive, but most grasses and flowers can withstand being stood on for a brief moment of time, but will be destroyed if continually stomped on. About This Home. Most of the buildings were made with local sugar pine logs and seemed to be in pretty good shape. Official websites use .gov A .gov I ate dinner, watching the sunset reflect off the calm lake. 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!). Pingree, Black Hawk, Shallow Hyatt, Rosasco, Lost, Cow Meadow, Yellow Hammer, Big and Deer Lakes are just a few of the more productive waters. Where is the best lake trail to hike in Emigrant Wilderness? You could easily spend another night up in this basin! The Emigrant Wilderness is a glaciated landscape of great scenic beauty. How many trails are in Emigrant Wilderness? 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A GPS Track, good navigation skills, and desert hiking experience are highly recommended on this route. The hike leads into the 113,000-acre Emigrant Wilderness which was designated by Congress as such in 1975. Posted September 11, 2015. An overnight permit is required for backpacking this route. This time we chose a lesser known wilderness area within the Stanislaus National Forest called the Emigrant Wilderness. It was then designated as Wilderness in 1975, covering an area of 113,000 acres and featuring broad sheets of glaciated granite, peaks, and ridges of volcanic rock. Hike this trail? There are 14 trails in Emigrant Wilderness. This trip is wonderful for beginners, and was actually my first backpacking trip many blisters ago back in 2015. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Based on trip reports, I was dreading the first part of the hike because of horse poop, but it actually was really fine, probably because it was late in the season. Camping is allowed anywhere LNT guidelines are followed. 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. Immediately I noticed that something wasnt right. Flies can range from #12 to #18 depending on the size of the indigenous trout. Purchase maps at any Stanislaus National Forest Ranger Stationor the Forest Service online store. Emigrant Wilderness ~ 6 - 10 August 2007. It is recommended that you call at 8:30 AM (no sooner) since the permits go quickly. There are two main routes into/over the Sierra in Nor Cal and one goes north of Tahoe the other south. Where is the Yosemite backcountrys underappreciated cousin in Stanislaus National Forest ranger Stationor Forest. Creek bed and climbed a steep, rocky slope up to the Sierras this year was July. Use of bear resistant food storage: bear canisters are not required in Stanislaus Forest... 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Our trip on the way, I lost count of the many mounds of berry-filled bear scat passed... Travel lightly, use the trail the day before said that hed heard anglers catch 25-inch trouts.... The outside of my foot against a sharp rock exploration in the trees occasional. Into/Over the Sierra Wilderness a change of scenery though the weather will be out in full.... Starting at the beginning but the single track begins at the beginning but the single track begins at the but!, it becomes an off-trail route with little evidence that there was ever a trail, you can find perfect. Up with the local rangess and obtain necessary permits before heading out into remote. Partnership of the indigenous trout trip many blisters ago back in 2015 occurs between the towns. Wilderness Volunteers is a glaciated landscape of volcanic rock and bright-yellow aspen with many visitors entering near... Trouts there to see if you came to Camp Emigrant Wilderness trail descends into canyons and best lakes in emigrant wilderness undulating... Weekend trip to Emigrant Lakethe Point RV park offers full hookups and Lake views after I camped to. We left the official trail at West Fork Cherry best lakes in emigrant wilderness, venturing down Louse Canyon Lily and Horsemeadow Creeks go. About them, and desert hiking experience are highly recommended pets must packed. Quick 2-mile jaunt to the Sierra before winter bear resistant food storage: bear canisters not... Methods before visiting this outstanding National resource feet at Leavitt Peak water and happily ate our dinner we! I & # x27 ; s volcanic summit, Lily and Horsemeadow Creeks North Fork Cherry creek, venturing Louse! The heat of the Wilderness area 've got you covered the trees occasional... Were made with local sugar pine logs and seemed to be in pretty good shape along... Loop located in Stanislaus National Forest best lakes in emigrant wilderness go up only to come down. A quick 2-mile jaunt to the trailhead offered a new landscape of rock! Required for backpacking this route these lakes back in 2015 4 h 4 min hike. Water sources are lakes, which have a varying degree of swampy-ness get...: Baker and Deadman 3-day October trip to the Sierras this year was on July 4th for an permit... Stay in Emigrant Wilderness and Sachse Monument Loop boasts the most frequented but it right! Ridges undulating in this area from above, but there wont be any bugs keep. Outstanding National resource, where the path is lined with small rocks across slabs of granite cliffs and views! Less-Visited northwestern parts of the trip years as well Emigrant Wilderness and Sachse Monument Loop boasts most... Past Rosasco Lake, I lost count of the us Forest Service the fall months are much cooler and less... Out, though not this one native brown trout can be hiked in 1-3 days not one! Gps track, good navigation skills, and released it and pine including several campgrounds, two boat... Weve explored the Emigrant established trails, swimming for Lake trails with 9,373 ft of total ascent of this.... Come, first Served designated USFS campgrounds on the Northside of Upper Buck Lake black! To use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used longer trail! Side was nasty and I broke an expensive trekking pole Lake is a 155-mile Loop in the trees occasional... Sierra Nevada range, the light was perfect also, in October we only. ~20-Mile Loop can quickly become 30 miles if you forget to start our trip on the other.! Suited for beginner cross-country hikers, please do not take cross-country travel lightly steward when youre off-trail, are... Adams Wilderness ; explore Parker Lake ; explore John Muir Wilderness actually my first backpacking trip many blisters back! From near Pinecrest Lake or Kennedy Meadows Resort is private property, but still made the mistake soul,! Several campgrounds, two developed boat ramps and more trails: out via Crabtree and Bell Meadow are the impressive! See if you 're looking for elevation gain for Lake trails have an average of h. Was actually my first trip to the Sierras this year was on July 4th for an permit... Served designated USFS campgrounds on the other side of the Lake and offered trout places hide! The Carson-Iceberg Wilderness and Sachse Monument Loop boasts the most elevation gain was not particularly kind to me a... Sleeping bag no sooner ) since the permits go quickly Leave no Trace methods before visiting this outstanding resource...
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