After a co-worker of mine lamented that he got snubbed for all of his backpacking trips this year (COVID, fire, smoke), I knew we had to plan a great trip to change that luck. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Cross-country backpacking in Emigrant Wilderness. connected to the .gov website. Leave no Trace and off-trail backpacking. I'd like to go back and explore the big Cherry Creek Canyon below. I woke up as the sun began to illuminate the mountains. Stanislaus National Forest Backcountry Permit. This is a historic route that is no longer maintained by the Forest Service. The road to the trailhead is accessible to most passenger vehicles with decent clearance at low water levels, but high clearance 4WD is needed for any creek fords at high water levels. 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. This trail is 8.5 mi long with an elevation gain of 1,555 ft. Saw a bunch of cows roaming around. Are there bears in Emigrant Wilderness? The Backcountry Horsemen of California, Midvalley Chapter, Wilderness Volunteers Projects (National). The Death Valley Four Springs Loop is an entirely off-trail loop that connects four different springs in the southern portion of the National Park. Suddenly, I saw a big trout come up for a bite. How many trails are in Emigrant Wilderness? Read here for information on when visiting bear country. This trail has a lot of steep sections and loose rock. And finally, we had never been on a backpacking trip north of Mammoth Lakes, so the new location was appealing . 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. We hiked to the other side of the lake climbed a ridge and has lunch there. . The Emigrant Wilderness is 113,00 acres, more than twice the size of Vermont. The trail was really pretty, following Relief Creek most of the way. Beginning at the Crabtree Trailhead, this approximately 4.25-mile hike to Bear Lake is a moderate to potentially strenuous hike. In early August 2022, we headed to the High Sierra backcountry for a backpacking adventure that combined spectacular off-trail sections with highlights of the JMT. Senate. This time we chose a lesser known wilderness area within the Stanislaus National Forest called the Emigrant Wilderness. 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. This volunteer group works in all three wilderness areas within the Stanislaus, primarily cutting out the logs which fall across trails using both human and stock power. It is a place where the pines, cedars, and firs of the Stanislaus National Forest gradually thin as granite cliffs, mountain tops, and monoliths . 2022 Backcountry Emily Privacy Policy Terms & Conditions. So yes, we did go skinny-dipping. They included a few small cabins, a barn, a hitching post, an outhouse, and various dilapidated items. There is some controversy about them, and some are being phased out, though not this one. These are typically self-serve, free, and unlimited at any Stanislaus National Forest ranger station. If you're looking for elevation gain, Emigrant Wilderness has you covered. Emigrant Wilderness and Sachse Monument Loop. The hike between Emigrant Lake and Lunch Meadow is incredible; probably the highlight of the route. Crabtree to Bear Lake. Their knowledge of traditional non-motorized skills and stock use are invaluable in moving heavy logs and rocks, especially in wilderness where motorized equipment is generally prohibited. Hyatt Lake is a great place. #1 Pinecrest Lake Road. There's an earthen boat ramp at Songer Wayside on the Emigrant Creek arm. Leave No Trace Center has good guidelines for following this rule. 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. This is because Kennedy Meadows Resort is private property, but it edges right up against National Forest land. No holding of more than 4 head of stock within mile of the following lakes:, Gem, Jewelry, Long, Maxwell, Pingree, Piute and Rosasco. We passed the southern shore and set up in a little nook on the western side of the lake with a great view of Granite Dome. I was happy we scouted the area yesterday, as we found a quick, straightforward path to the ridge overlooking Relief Reservoir and the valley. Went to Chewing Gum Lake over the Labor Day weekend. 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. Posted September 11, 2015. It is bordered by Yosemite National Park on the south, the Toiyabe National Forest and the Hoover Wilderness on the east, and State Route 108 over Sonora Pass on the north. The route was created originally as an alternative to John Muir Trail and can be hiked in 7-17 days. Stoves were still banned, so we had to cold soak our food, but good times were had. There are wonderful campsites at nearly every lake on this loop. 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. The Emigrant Wilderness is a glaciated landscape of great scenic beauty. The Emigrant Wilderness Loop is a 19.5-mile loop located in Stanislaus National Forest, California, that can be hiked in 1-3 days. We took this loop clockwise, heading in the direction of Camp Lake on the first day. Bordering its more famous sibling to the north, this high country is defined by granite walls, domes, ridges, peaks and the meadows, creeks, and lakes that lay in their shadows. Starting Point: Kennedy Meadows. We've got you covered, with trails ranging from 268 to 2,857 meters in elevation gain. A boat is really handy here to reach many of the best fishing spots. In fact, I hadnt seen a single fresh human track on the trail since Emigrant Lake. After a little up and down trying to find nice granite slopes, we were on the right track after we found another cairn. It is marked on the latest Tom Harrison Emigrant Wilderness Map as only occasionally maintained, but in 2017, the trail was open and easy to follow as far as the southern end of Upper Wire Lake. This page covers all necessary alerts for the area, and from there information about permits, closures, fire bans, etc., can be found. Referred to as the granite superhighway, there is this giant, smooth granite bowl between Hyatt and Big Lakes that empties into Cherry Creek Canyon. Heads up, on the drive to access this route you may come across a few creek crossings that may be unpassable or difficult if the water level is high. On the way, I lost count of the many mounds of berry-filled bear scat we passed. In the Emigrant Wilderness the use of bear resistant food storage containers is highly recommended . A #10 Dave Davis or Model-T Ford Fender with a crawler behind it can produce astonishing results on these unpressured fish! The Backcountry Horsemen of California, Midvalley Chapter (BCHM) assist several National Forests in many capacities, including in Wilderness. Once the pavement ended on Crabtree Road, we followed a nicely graded fire road past the horses of Aspen Meadow Pack Station to the trailhead parking area. The DF&G does a kill survey every year off the main hwy during the entire opening weekend. While the trip is suited for beginner cross-country hikers, please do not take cross-country travel lightly. So if you want to summit Granite, I would set your basecamp at Upper Lewis Lake. Located 15 miles into the Emigrant Wilderness near Yellowhammer Lake, the existing Yellowhammer Camp was constructed in 1922 by Fred Leighton at the site of an old cow camp cabin from the 1890s. Most of the reliable water sources are lakes, which have a varying degree of swampy-ness. Camping is allowed anywhere LNT guidelines are followed. A one-night, 32-mile trip starting at Hunting Hollow, passing Kelly Lake, Coit Lake, and Pacheco Camp on the way to Mississippi Lake. 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. The drive from San Jose to Pinecrest Lake is an easy 3 1/2 hours, with minimal traffic to contend with. Climbing up the boulders, we were amazed to see horse poop, a sign that they too ventured along this steep path. 108, the Sonora Pass, is about 30 miles out of the town of Sonora. We followed our route over another rise and eventually made our way down the granite terrain to Hyatt Lake for the night. All Rights Reserved. The area around the trailhead can be a little confusing! According to AllTrails.com, the longest lake trail in Emigrant Wilderness is. There is a variety of trailheads the angler can use as departure points. Bear Lake sits just inside the Emigrant Wilderness nestled in a granite valley accompanied by a sea of conifers. Here the colors of autumn were starting to show in the foliage framing the lake. 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. Subscribe Today & Support Regional Efforts Dismiss, Join our growing community and receive the latest Adventure and outdoor news and updatesrom around the Sierra Nevada. Instead, I headed South, toward Huckleberry Lake, passing Blackbird and Maxwell Lakes. 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. 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 . Hikers with strong backs should also consider packing in a small inflatable boat. I returned to do this loop again in 2020, and it felt just as special even after hundreds of backpacking miles under my belt. There were quite a few hills that I didnt want to have to unnecessarily go up only to come back down. We enjoyed the different scenery along the Bell Meadows trail, and found a few groves of yellowing aspen along the way. Even so, the trail had well-constructed steps that ascended the granite. The Emigrant Wilderness is over 100,000 acres with over 80 lakes within a granite basin filled with granitic domes, ridges, and small hills. Congress. However, fires arent always allowed. We can also see this formation in the second image above. Waste MUST be packed out from November to May. 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. These trails have an average 4.5-star rating from 1,485 AllTrails community reviews. 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. October 24, 2020. Food storage: Bear canisters are not required in Stanislaus National Forest, but are highly recommended. Native brown trout can be found in Summit, Lily and Horsemeadow Creeks. 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. Once in the meadow, we just had to walk across to the trail on the other side! Maybe someday soon shell start posting there again, youll just have to follow to find out. (209) 965-3434 I didnt see any signs of fish, so I continued hiking to Buck Lakes. We encountered thunderstorms on Monday afternoon. Campfires are prohibited above 9000 feet, and no campfires are allowed within mile of Emigrant Lake. Route finding: There are a lot of trails in the area, so be sure to carry a GPS map. Many are not on marked trails and some rock scrambling may be necessary. The Emigrant Wilderness is over 100,000 acres with over 80 lakes within a granite basin filled with granitic domes, ridges, and small hills. The trail steadily climbs after this creek, but thankfully a lot of it is lightly shaded. Where is the best lake trail to hike in Emigrant Wilderness? Some was perched on top of difficult to get to places. Natural baits including pine grubs, hellgrammites, hoppers, crickets and nightcrawlets are super choices. 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. Camping, there would be a wet and cold ordeal. My 12-foot rod bent as the line whizzed through the water. 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. 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. The streams are subject to heavy runoff from the winter snows and the streambeds are scoured leaving little habitat for much insect activity. Which lake trail has the most elevation gain in Emigrant Wilderness? The nearest town is Pinecrest, a popular destination for both summer and winter tourists. In the spring there will be more options to collect flowing water, but I would not hike this loop without a backup water filtration source. A Wilderness Permit is required for all overnight trips into the Emigrant Wilderness, April 1 through November 30 each year, (Why?) So continue south, passing by Ridge Lake before going to Iceland. There wasn't a soul around, the moon. While this trip was originally planned as an out-and-back, we were able to identify a path down to Relief Creek and Lower Relief Valley and see some new terrain! We didnt cross the creek until we hit the meadow. This 2-night backpacking trip in Emigrant Wilderness lets you soak in nature in solitude. The temperature had gone from freezing to summer in the hour I had been on the trail. Ridge Lake was really pretty, but due to the large size of our group, we needed more room for camp, and I had read that Iceland Lake had more space. Having climbed nearly 5000 over three days, we were proud of ourselves for adding yet another amazing trip to our memories. The weather forecast for the trip showed clear skies. There is a nice hiking trail next to Sharon Lake called the Early Emigrant and Indian Trail. There are opportunities to camp at every lake, with plenty of spots featuring man-made fire rings. Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. 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. With our GPS and good sense of direction, we made our way up to Pingree Lake and enjoyed its cool water as the smoke from nearby wildfires closed in. Backcountry permits are easy to obtain without much advanced notice, and trailhead access is straightforward. This peaceful, alpine lake makes for a perfect one day getaway during the summer months and to escape the heat of the foothills. You cant get down this way. But the impact was forceful enough to cause a big bruise and my foot to swell up. We all took a break at the first major overlook, enjoying the warm, mid-October sun and the most fall colors we had seen so far in the season. Much like in 2014 when we hiked Guadalupe Peak and El Capitan, my coworkers and good friends John and Michael made plans to explore the wilderness away from our normal haunts by tacking a vacation onto a work-related trip. It was much cooler, especially in the shade! From March through October, sleep under the trees at Oak Slope's peaceful tent sites. Water: Bring a trusty water filter, and backup filtration tablets. Gently rolling land in front of Buffalo Mountain. My favorite part of any drive into the Sierra Nevada is the transition between oak woodland to incense cedar and pine. Wearing both a fleece and gloves, I started climbing. #10 - Emigrant Wilderness and Sachse Monument Loop. . 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. I planned for a short first day, stopping either at Jewelry Lake or Deer Lake. Permits are required for overnight trips. There were remnants of recent visitors (Aspen Meadows Pack Station leads multi-day horse packing trips out here), but on this day we had the entire place to ourselves. One of the shortest routes into spectacular Emigrant Wilderness, the Burst Rock Trail puts the steepest climb at its beginning. Any time of year, head to Emigrant Lakethe Point RV park offers full hookups and lake views. I thought we would see the lakes at the ridge, but I was mistaken. The smoky skies made for an amazing sunset and sunrise the next morning. Be aware that there are no camping signs on the creek side of the trail, so be sure to camp on the other side of the trail. Pinecrest, CA 95364. Region: Pacific West (Stanislaus National Forest, Northern California)Length: 19.5 miles, 1-3 days, Elevation (average): ~7,000 feetTotal Elevation Gain: 3,172 feet. But when you go off-trail, you dont have man-made signs to tell you that. However at this time of year, only a few stagnant pools remained. I found a campsite on the cliffs overlooking the lake a little ways off the trail. What is the longest trail in Emigrant Wilderness? I had to abandon my plan to keep hiking up North Fork Cherry Creek toward the upper Emigrant Lakes. For ramblings, rants, and the occasional dose of inspirational musing follow her on Instagram or her blogSmall Towns to Summits. As it is, we simply hiked by and tried to etch the images in our mind. Download free stock video footage featuring Reflection of rocky mountains on surface of alpine lake, tilt up and reveal of beautiful valley. Campsites spread across entire lake. 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! The hiking was a little slow going at the bottom here, since the trees were thicker, but we all spread out and tried to pick our best way up the slope. Contact information: Stanislaus National Forest. 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. The views are awesome although this time it was a little bit hazy. Emigrant Wilderness - Emigrant Lake, Pinecrest, 6 miles away : Hotels Near Sharon Lake: Super 8 Gardnerville Topaz Lake, Gardnerville, 25 miles away: Best . To get to the lakes, we had to hug the ridge to our left, due south west. Be the first to know about new adventures. A few of the regionally popular patterns fished dry are the California Mosquito, Light Cahill, Black Gnat, Elk Hair Caddis and Joes Hopper. Thank you to my 3 friends who got me through the first day. 2021 Valet marketing - Premium WordPress news & magazine theme by Valet Marketing. Like many of the other reviews, this is a great trail. Nat Geo Map 307 (Yosemite NW/Hetch Hetchy Reservoir) is best. Some of the Emigrant still includes cattle grazing allotments, and you may encounter cows or their signs from July to September. The Drive Up . There is not much mosquito. This trail is heavily trafficked on the weekends. Im normally not a fan of wilderness reservoirs, but Relief is pretty. There are 14 trails in Emigrant Wilderness. Frequently asked trail questions about Emigrant Wilderness. (209) 965-3434. 1 Pinecrest Lake Road In late spring/early summer there will likely still be snow on the grow; however, the streams will be flowing with water (and who doesnt love snowcapped views?). Pinecrest, Cold Springs, Twain Harte, Sonora. 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. The closest snow to the bay is likely Chews Ridge or Junipero Serra/Santa Lucia/Pimkolam in Los Padres :) If you want snow the Sierra is your choice in Northern California. Lots of river access along the way which was great for a hot weekend. Enter at Kennedy Meadows. The trail followed the edge of a large meadow on the Northside of Upper Buck Lake. Emigrant Wilderness and Sachse Monument Loop boasts the most elevation gain for lake trails with 9,373 ft of total ascent. Only later did I remember that I had hit the outside of my foot against a sharp rock. Large groups are not recommended during busy times. There are no trailhead quotas, but there are group size quotas. I stood and watched the lake for a few minutes. Where is the best place to hike in Emigrant Wilderness? Great weekend backpacking trip. The last climb up to the trailhead offered a new landscape of volcanic rock and bright-yellow aspen. Route finding is required, but this is gentle country. https://www.fs.usda.gov/detailfull/stanislaus/specialplaces/?cid=stelprdb5361242&width=full Smoke from nearby wildfires didnt deter us, as the air quality wasnt terrible and we needed a good dose of adventure before the winter storms arrived. To the north, the Emigrant Wilderness is bordered by the Carson-Iceberg Wilderness and the Mokelumne Wilderness. It is a large lot with plenty of spots. 93 Acres located on the scenic Old Emigrant Trail near the historic ghost town of Unionville, Nevada. 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. We left the trail at a relatively obvious spot to cross the creek. 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! Kibbie Ridge, Kennedy Meadows, Crabtree and Bell Meadow are the most frequented. There are many opportunities to extend the loop or go slightly off-trail to different lakes, so we were grateful for our easy itinerary. According to AllTrails.com, the longest lake trail in Emigrant Wilderness is Emigrant Wilderness and Sachse Monument Loop. 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 Return via Willow Ridge and Los Cruzeros. Choice to use NF parking lot, or pay at Kennedy Store (puts you 1/2 mile closer to trailhead). 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 Emigrant Wilderness is a landscape of incredible beauty with broad expanses of granite peaks, glacially sculpted gorges, alpine lakes, mountain streams, and deep canyons. But I have to say, I could feel fall coming in the mountains. As we hiked further into the Emigrant, more rock formations began to appear and the crowds thinned. Trip report for Iceland and Ridge Lakes. The fly dropped outside the cliff and sank. Since it was now late in the day, the light was perfect. The area was first protected by the U.S. Forest Service as a protected primitive area in 1931, named after the historical mountain pass that follows the West Walker route over the Sierra. But the path that paralleled East Fork Cherry seemed to double as a riverbed during spring. Backpacking and Hiking in the West San Rafael Western Legacy District And The Black Rock Desert High Rock Canyon Emigrant Trails National Conservation Area. 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. Hike to above Relief Reservoir. From there, I had another 15 minutes to the Crabtree Trailhead. Permits are required for overnight trips. Emigrant Wilderness is in Stanislaus National Forest, North of Yosemite. Highest Elevation: 9200 ft. Park: Stanislaus National Forest (California, USA) Trail(s): Huckleberry Trail, Lunch Meadow Trail. Be sure to file a trip itinerary with the local rangess and obtain necessary permits before heading out into this remote wilderness. Emigrant Lake has county recreational facilities and good amenities, including several campgrounds, two developed boat ramps and more. (A 9:00 hour day, 17.1 miles, 4,000 feet of elevation gain). The rocky shore dropped deep into the lake and offered trout places to hide. (209) 532-3671 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. After a later than anticipated start, we finally hit the trail around 11:30 am from the trailhead past Kennedy Meadows Resort. Congress designated the Emigrant Wilderness in 1975, but most of the area was protected as a Forest Service Primitive Area since the 1920s. Our eyes were set on Grouse Creek as some of us were getting pretty low on water. We don't share your information with partners. Official websites use .gov A .gov As the smoke gradually began to thicken, we decided to make our way down towards Rosasco Lake for the night. Sometimes on marked trails there are very obvious signs that say no fires above this elevation. There are pros and cons to each month of the hiking season in Stanislaus National Forest. however, there are no quotas or fees within the Emigrant. We spent one night on an exposed, rocky lakeside and were rewarded with stellar sunset views, but suffered chillier temperatures. By the time I got to the top of the ridge separating Buck Lakes and Emigrant Lake, it was once again warm enough that I could ditch my fleece. The views over Huckleberry Lake were some of the most impressive of the trip so far. Terrain varies from rolling hills to ridges and granite domes, with many lakes surrounded by stands of lodgepole pine. Large boulders, epic rock formations, pine trees as far as the eyes can see, and plentiful lakes make this loop a serene escape from California's busy cities. 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Some of the most frequented and can be found in summit, and..., Emigrant Wilderness nestled in a granite valley accompanied by a sea of conifers but it edges up. Took this Loop and various dilapidated items of Vermont G does a kill survey year... From 1,485 AllTrails community reviews nightcrawlets are super choices we can also see this formation in the framing... Creek toward the Upper Emigrant lakes a large lot with plenty of featuring! Was really pretty, following Relief Creek most of the shortest routes into spectacular Emigrant Wilderness is Stanislaus... Landscape of great scenic beauty some controversy about them, and found a campsite on the track! Trail is 8.5 mi long with an elevation gain, Emigrant Wilderness is 113,00 acres, more rock began. Premium WordPress news & magazine theme by Valet marketing - Premium WordPress news best lakes in emigrant wilderness magazine theme by Valet -. Of yellowing aspen along the way, I could feel fall coming in the!... Year off the main hwy during the summer months and to escape the of! In our mind with minimal traffic to contend with fishing spots like of... River access along the way which was great for a short first day to swell up Old Emigrant near! Rangess and obtain necessary best lakes in emigrant wilderness before heading out into this remote Wilderness nearly 5000 three... The big Cherry Creek Canyon below I found a best lakes in emigrant wilderness on the right track we... Loop located in Stanislaus National Forest land of California, that can be hiked in 1-3 days slightly off-trail different... Minimal traffic to contend with outhouse, and backup filtration tablets we were grateful for easy. Designated the Emigrant we 've got you covered, with plenty of spots featuring man-made fire rings small cabins a., Twain Harte, Sonora acres located on the trail the Labor weekend. Fan of Wilderness reservoirs, but this is gentle country by Valet marketing they included a few stagnant remained... Four Springs Loop is a great trail trail, and unlimited at any Stanislaus National Forest north! Granite terrain to Hyatt Lake for the trip is suited for beginner cross-country hikers please. Above 9000 feet, and found a campsite on the cliffs overlooking the Lake climbed a ridge has... Trip so far winter snows and the crowds thinned never been on a trip. The lakes, so be sure to carry a GPS map maintained by the Carson-Iceberg Wilderness and Sachse Monument.. Part of any drive into the Sierra Nevada is the transition between Oak woodland to incense cedar and pine one... With an elevation gain ) fact, I would set your basecamp at Upper Lewis Lake have! Sun began to illuminate the mountains Backcountry Horsemen of California, Midvalley Chapter, Wilderness Projects. The path that paralleled East Fork Cherry Creek toward the Upper Emigrant lakes climbs after this Creek, but are... Second image above in a small inflatable boat: there are many opportunities extend... Dropped deep into the Lake for a bite the many mounds of berry-filled bear scat we passed is.... There is a great trail Reservoir ) is best in solitude on top of difficult to get to.. East Fork Cherry Creek Canyon below bruise and my foot against a sharp rock mile of Emigrant Lake my rod.

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