The Emigrant is most easily accessible from Hwy 108, with many visitors entering from near Pinecrest Lake or Kennedy Meadows. I woke up as the sun began to illuminate the mountains. Deer Lake rests deep in the Emigrant Wilderness amidst dozens of other lakes, each one as scenic and inviting as the next. But it’s much less crowded than its neighbor to the South, offering more solitude for backpacking. A few of the lakes are a bit swampy, and you will want to wade out into the water to collect away from the mud. Hiking in Stanislaus National Forest: If this past year taught us anything, it’s to do your research before you go. Hike this trail? They greeted me with a surprised “hello, human!” Clearly, they hadn’t seen others in a while either. The water is plentiful, although you do want to make sure you have multiple filtering options. Food storage: Bear canisters are not required in Stanislaus National Forest, but are highly recommended. The longest stretch between lakes is ~4 miles, so two liters of carrying capacity is plenty. Emigrant Wilderness: Trail Mileages Stanislaus National Forest ROG 16-27; 06/12 Trailhead: Gianelli Cabin Elevation: 8,600’ Destination Miles Burst Rock 1.2 Powell Lake 2.3 Lake Valley Trail 3.7 Chewing Gum Lake 4.1 Y Meadow Trail 5.5 Y Meadow Lake 6.4 Region: Pacific West (Stanislaus National Forest, Northern California)Length: 19.5 miles, 1-3 days, Elevation (average): ~7,000 feet Total Elevation Gain: 3,172 feet. I enjoyed this route, but don’t see any reason why counterclockwise would be any less enjoyable. Drive carefully on Crabtree Road, and look out for horse poop on the trail. The weather station was at 7,200 ft, so I needed to prepare for 4-8 degrees colder at the elevation I would be at. The two times I’ve done this loop the crowds were extremely thin, so we never had to search for campsites. Instead, I headed South, toward Huckleberry Lake, passing Blackbird and Maxwell Lakes. Five miles from the trailhead, I ran into a group of hikers. The trail is primarily used for hiking and backpacking and is best used from August until September. The weather forecast for the trip showed clear skies. Granite Dome to Ridge Lake and Iceland Lake, Gianelli Trail to Chewing Gum Lake, Leopold Lake, Deer Lake and Gem Lake, Bear Lake and Grouse Lake via Emigrant Wilderness Loop, Aspen Meadow Road, Crabtree Camp and Buck Lakes Loop, Emigrant Wilderness and Sachse Monument Loop. Any nice spots to camp prior (Camp Lake or other?)? I also hiked to Deer Lake in one day but that was 20 years ago and I was super weary when I got there. 15-25 miles a day is in the super human category! ... Schifrin, Ben, Emigrant Wilderness. It stretches from Denver to Durango across the Southern Rockies and can be hiked in 25-35 days. Camping, there would be a wet and cold ordeal. Trash Collection: No trash collection at the trailhead in the off-season. I decided to sleep under the stars without the tarp. If you keep heading west on Route 108, you’ll hit Kennedy Meadows, Sonora Pass, and eventually pop out on the east side, just north of … Suddenly, I saw a big trout come up for a bite. It is an elongated area that extends northeast about 25 miles (40 km) in length and up to 15 miles (24 … The fly dropped outside the cliff and sank. Lye Brook Wilderness Loop, Vermont; Shoal Pond Loop, New Hampshire; Death Hollow Loop, Utah; Big Branch Wilderness Loop, Vermont; Baker-Johnson Lake Loop, Nevada; Crazy Mountains Loop, Montana; Grafton Loop Trail, Maine; Sawtooth Wilderness Loop, Idaho; 100-200 Miles . Located just north of Yosemite National Park, the Emigrant Wilderness in the Stanislaus National Forest offers an incredible array of natural environments and terrain. Wilderness Press. Start and end at the Crabtree Trailhead. Most of the 11 miles were downhill. However, if you’re planning on hiking this on a summer weekend I recommend getting to camp in the early afternoon. Even so, I wanted to push a bit further so I could walk back to my car the following day. This is a 1-hour ride loops around Leavitt Meadows. There are pros and cons to each month of the hiking season in Stanislaus National Forest. Good to know. At this point, it had been over two full days since I’d seen another person, and over a day since I’d even seen a footprint. Read here for information on when visiting bear country. It is perfect for an AT shake-down hike or a weekend getaway. Camping is allowed anywhere LNT guidelines are followed. Overnight parking is allowed, and pit toilets are available here. The Appalachian Trail increasingly is being seen as a buffer from climate change along its more than 2,000-mile northbound path from Georgia to Maine. Though the weather will be extremely pleasant in the summer, bugs will be out in full force. Route finding: There are a lot of trails in the area, so be sure to carry a GPS map. The views over Huckleberry Lake were some of the most impressive of the trip so far. Emigrant Wilderness is in Stanislaus National Forest, North of Yosemite. It looked like the trail didn’t get much traffic. Day 2: Emigrant Lake, Maxwell Lake, Huckleberry Lake, Letora Lake, Cow Meadow Lake, Wood Lake. The terrain varies in Emigrant Wilderness: some parts are full of volcanic ridges and peaks, while the rest of the area has lakes and meadows in between granite ridges. Long Way to Long Lake – Emigrant Wilderness: Stanislaus National Forest. There are opportunities to camp at every lake, with plenty of spots featuring man-made fire rings. This past weekend I hit Emigrant Wilderness in the Stanislaus National Forest, not only to see thse area for the first time but to give my new pack that i'd made some mileage to see how it felt. Like Yosemite, it has towering granite mountains and spectacular alpine lakes. There’s none in the wilderness or Crabtree Road. It felt like plantar fasciitis but had appeared suddenly. There are wonderful campsites at nearly every lake on this loop. 5.0 18 mi / 1100 ft gain The Gem Lake Loop is located in Emigrant Wilderness, which borders Stanislaus National Forest and Yosemite National Park, and offers incredible views, smaller crowds, and diverse terrain. This will be another challenging day of seven miles, gaining and losing just under 1,000 feet. Distance: 22.6 mi. This trip is wonderful for beginners, and was actually my first backpacking trip many blisters ago back in 2015. Lower Relief - 5 hours. Deer Lake has great rainbow fishing. However, because we went during the COVID pandemic, we filled out our permit online. The longest climb is less than a mile, and covers roughly 700 feet of elevation gain in that time. My main concern was to stay warm at night. Emigrant Wilderness Loop This trip is completely customizable to your wishes, allowing you to see a vast amount of the incredible Emigrant Wilderness! Off the 108, turn right onto Crabtree Road and 10 miles down the road is the parking lot and overnight campsite for this trailhead. The temperature had gone from freezing to summer in the hour I had been on the trail. 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. Trails: out via Crabtree and back via Bell Meadow trail. 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. How much do you usually like to hike in a day, in terms of miles or elevation? Deer Lake was a bit more shallow/marshy at least in one end. Crabtree Road is not paved, but 2WD cars are just fine. Every step I took on my left foot resulted in a stabbing pain near my heel. 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. Mileage is very individual. I pulled out the barbless hook, snapped a quick picture, and released it. I still had almost 11 miles to the car, so I conjured an ibuprofen and acetaminophen cocktail to get me going. Check here to see if you can apply for an online permit. Coming from the West, the best way to get to Emigrant Wilderness is to take Route 108 up into the Sierra Nevada. There were a lot of fallen trees that had thankfully been cleared off the trail. This page covers all necessary alerts for the area, and from there information about permits, closures, fire bans, etc., can be found. In the morning, my foot was feeling worse. I kept going. What was your experience? The descent to Huckleberry Lake was painful. However, fires aren’t always allowed. The elevation profile is comparable for both options. Wearing both a fleece and gloves, I started climbing. Emigrant Wilderness is displayed on the Cooper Peak USGS quad topo map. This takes you north of Yosemite National Park in Stanislaus National Forest. Emigrant Wilderness is also close to Yosemite National Park and Toiyabe National Forest. Water: Bring a trusty water filter, and backup filtration tablets. This means camping at least 200 feet from water, 100 feet from established trails, and away from fragile terrain such as meadows. The Crabtree Trailhead is about three hours from California’s Bay Area. The Gem Lake Loop is located in Emigrant Wilderness, which borders Stanislaus National Forest and Yosemite National Park, and offers incredible views, smaller crowds, and diverse terrain. I think Gem and Jewelry lakes would also have made good campsites. Full text of "Out West : a story and guide book illustrating with text and pictures the marvelous resources and scenes of the great West: from the lakes, across the praires, over the Rockies, through the deserts, among the Sierras, to the Pacific Coast" See other formats The Emigrant Wilderness Loop is a 19.5-mile loop located in Stanislaus National Forest, California, that can be hiked in 1-3 days. A four-night, 40-mile loop leads southeast from Kennedy Meadows, past Relief Reservoir, over 9,400-foot Mosquito Pass, and to Emigrant Lake (mile 16), where the combination of skyward granite, alpine pool, and rainbow trout make for the most … The last miles of the trail passed through an old burn area. (36.3 km) #17 High Uintas Wilderness Protected Area Updated: 2019-09-12 The High Uintas Wilderness is a wilderness area located in northeastern Utah, United States. Regardless of which trailhead you’re starting out from, you should be able to snag a permit at the Summit Ranger Station in Pinecrest. Check here to see if you can apply for an online permit. I ate dinner, watching the sunset reflect off the calm lake. Stanislaus National Forest Backcountry Permit. I planned for a short first day, stopping either at Jewelry Lake or Deer Lake. Camping and Permits: Permits are required from April 1 to Nov. 30 for any overnight travel in the Emigrant Wilderness. Hope you did well. I planned a 3-night trip to Emigrant Wilderness to fish Emigrant Lake and some smaller lakes. Stock: This area is heavy with horse activity. Anyone who is interested in visiting Emigrant Wilderness can print the free topographic map and street map using the link above. Smoky Mountains National Park Loop, NC / TN. There aren’t any excruciatingly long climbs, and the weather is pleasant well past August. That being said, the water is plentiful and you’ll never have to carry more than two liters. The trail consisted of loose rocks ranging from the size of a grape to a football. I normally hike long days, 15-25 miles, so I thought the first day was fairly easy. Even so, the trail had well-constructed steps that ascended the granite. Sierra Nevada - Hoover/Emigrant Wilderness - Sonora Pass Loop On September 17-21, 1993 I did a 28 mile backpack loop trip from Sonora Pass on Highway 108 along part of the Pacific Crest Trail and climbed 10,825' Big Sam. I had to abandon my plan to keep hiking up North Fork Cherry Creek toward the upper Emigrant Lakes. Get outside! Emigrant Wilderness Rides. My plan was to do the wilderness loop as shown here with a few extra side trails to really see as many lakes as possible The trout leaped into the air several times before accepting its fate. So I’m learning to look north, past Yosemite, to the quiet paths of the Emigrant Wilderness for my own tract of unspoiled heaven. The evening was chilly, but I stayed warm by my campfire. After I camped next to one of these lakes back in 2015, I was completely hooked. From there, I had another 15 minutes to the Crabtree Trailhead. Day 2: Emigrant Lake, Maxwell Lake, Huckleberry Lake, Letora Lake, Cow Meadow Lake, Wood Lake.Day 3: Buck Meadow, Grouse Lake, Pine Valley, Crabtree Trailhead. The nearest town is Pinecrest, a popular destination for both summer and winter tourists. Emigrant Lake was much larger than any of the lakes I visited the day before. Backpack Gem Lake Loop in Emigrant Wilderness. The route to the top of Big Sam is an old mining road. Day One: Crabtree Trailhead to Camp Lake, 3 miles Day Two: Camp Lake to Grouse Lake, 12.5 milesDay Three: Grouse Lake to Crabtree Trailhead, 4 miles. Inflammations should take longer than that to develop, I thought. Towering granite peaks surrounded Upper Buck Lake. We hiked the loop in early October and only encountered a handful of other hikers over three days. Some land is below 5000 feet while Leavitt Peak is 11,750 feet high. In late spring/early summer there will likely still be snow on the grow; however, the streams will be flowing with water (and who doesn’t love snowcapped views?). Fortunately, the other end of the lake was much more suitable for camping. On this ride you will ride along side the river and through the gorgeous meadow. I packed away my rod and continued along the lakeshore. Maybe someday soon she’ll start posting there again, you’ll just have to follow to find out. It was way too big for me to eat, especially right after breakfast. The trail followed the edge of a large meadow on the Northside of Upper Buck Lake. It was still near freezing when I started my backpacking trip. Want this map for offline use? The rocky shore dropped deep into the lake and offered trout places to hide. Submit your trip report here, The Appalachian Trail Can Provide a Refuge from Climate Change, What You Need to Know About the New Sleeping Pad R-Values, Hugh’s 40-Year Journey to Lightweight Backpacking, Route is between 6,500 and 7,500 feet of elevation, Short uphill and downhill sections, no long climbs, A few rocky patches, but mostly dirt trail, Loop starts and ends in a free, large parking lot with pit toilets, Free, self-serve permits available at ranger stations. The Trail to Deer Lake Wildflowers, Panoramic Views, Tranquil Lakes. Thinking about going early October. We planned this trip because fire closures canceled other plans, yet this national forest remained open. This ~20-mile loop can quickly become 30 miles if you forget to start your loop back. Emigrant Wilderness and Northwest Yosemite: Covers Emigrant Wilderness and the Adjacent Backcountry of Yosemite National Park with Map by Ben Schifrin (2004-02-03) 4.2 out of 5 stars 13. I had time for one last weekend trip to the Sierra before winter. 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. The last climb up to the trailhead offered a new landscape of volcanic rock and bright-yellow aspen. This trail goes by Sheep Camp. In the Emigrant Wilderness, grazing or holding more than four stock overnight within one-quarter mile of Rosasco, Pingree, Piute, Gem, Jewelry, Long, or … 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. After a warm breakfast and a large cup of coffee, I headed toward Emigrant Lake. The chart above will give you some idea on what to expect. It was the first weekend in November last year, ← How to plan an ultralight backpacking trip, San Francisco Bay Area overnight bikepacking trip →. Overview This is a difficult loop trail to No Camping in Emigrant Wilderness. Day 1: Camp Lake, Piute Lake, Gem Lake, Jewelry Lake, Deer Lake, Buck Lakes. Only later did I remember that I had hit the outside of my foot against a sharp rock. The next night, we hid in a well-covered dirt site next to a smaller lake and woke up with zero condensation. The night was wind-still, and there wasn’t a cloud in sight. Start at Crabtree Trailhead. This trail is most crowded in the summer, as there are also many day hikes from the trailhead. Dogs are also able to use this trail. The Emigrant Wilderness is the Yosemite backcountry’s underappreciated cousin. The last 2 miles of the road was unpaved, but passable with a car. My 12-foot rod bent as the line whizzed through the water. Gaps in the trees offered occasional glimpses of granite cliffs and the views ahead. So yes, we did go skinny-dipping. It was the last few weeks of trout season, so I also wanted to bring my fly fishing gear. I stood and watched the lake for a few minutes. A ranger that I met on the trail the day before said that he’d heard anglers catch 25-inch trouts there. There is bear activity in this wilderness. Because of that, I brought 2 sleeping pads and my 10-degree sleeping bag. I didn’t try fishing there on that trip, will need to do it next time I’m out there. I stopped at Camp Lake to fill up on water and layer down. This trip can be designed to fit the experience you want with layover days at different locations … A small stream that flowed through the field had frozen overnight. Waste MUST be packed out from November to May. At the time, I didn’t think much of it as the pain subsided in minutes. I found a cliff overlooking the lake with a fire ring and a sheltered spot for my sleeping pad. Enjoy the … Day 3: Buck Meadow, Grouse Lake, Pine Valley, Crabtree Trailhead. It’s possible to hike this trail in the winter with traction, but be sure to check the national forest road conditions and be prepared for winter conditions. Cell Reception: Don’t expect any. From the south, the wilderness is accessible from Cherry Lake, along the border with Yosemite National Park. The trail is dotted with lakes and streams, offering frequent water sources and campsites. Paperback. These are typically self-serve, free, and unlimited at any Stanislaus National Forest ranger station. There are many opportunities to extend the loop or go slightly off-trail to different lakes, so we were grateful for our easy itinerary. I picked up my Emigrant Wilderness permit at the Summit Ranger Station right after it opened at 8:30 am. When I got to the West side of the lake, I was disappointed to notice that it was a shallow, swampy lake. Closest Major City: Modesto, California (three hours). Location: Stanislaus National Forest, Emigrant Wilderness, near the town of Sorona, CA in Northern California east of the San Francisco Bay Area. The Emigrant Wilderness is one of the best-kept secrets of the High Sierra. Emigrant Wilderness Loop Trail is a 19.5 mile heavily trafficked loop trail located near Pinecrest, California that features a lake and is rated as difficult. Thanks for sharing. It can easily be completed in a three-day weekend, including travel time. I rigged my Tenkara rod and picked a size 16 bead head nymph with a pink hotspot. The Colorado Trail is a 485-mile point-to-point backpacking route in Colorado. The Monadnock-Sunapee Greenway Trail is a 48-mile end-to-end trail in New England that can be accomplished in three-to-four days. But the path that paralleled East Fork Cherry seemed to double as a riverbed during spring. The Emigrant Wilderness Loop is a 19.5-mile loop located in Stanislaus National Forest, California, that can be hiked in 1-3 days. Mileage: ~20 miles, ~2,500 elevation gain. Granite Domes, beautiful meadows, lakes, rivers, flowers, and lots of nice runnable trails made for efficient movement through the wilderness. The 3 trail junctions under Grizzly Peak in the High Emigrant Basin compose one of the best hubs of trails for anchoring a whole series of long and short … I returned to do this loop again in 2020, and it felt just as special even after hundreds of backpacking miles under my belt. views hiking forest nature-trips wild-flowers wildlife birding camping backpacking lake walking dogs river trail-running dogs-leash More vlogs and a gear video coming! The trail is dotted with lakes and streams, offering frequent water sources and campsites. You'll need a permit for this loop so make sure to stop by the Summit District Ranger Station in Pinecrest to pick yours up. Just as quickly as it had appeared, it vanished into the dark. I cannot recommend this trip enough for beginner backpackers. Healthy forests are key to removing carbon dioxide from the air, and that the Central Appalachian Mountains are a critical carbon-removal landscape. The Emigrant Wilderness is located in the High Sierra between Hwy 108 north of Sonora and the Yosemite, the altitudes are between 8k and 10k feet, and the driving time from the valley is about 3 hrs. Katie is a freelance writer based in Salt Lake City, Utah. Get a discount on Gaia Premium here. My water bottle had frozen overnight, but I slept warm. $855.58. Sierra North: Backcountry Trips in California's Sierra Nevada Start at Crabtree Trailhead.Day 1: Camp Lake, Piute Lake, Gem Lake, Jewelry Lake, Deer Lake, Buck Lakes. Start checking them out and you'll be out on the trail in no time! I was getting to the limit of how far I could walk on my foot. Days: 2 days, 1 night. Some are wide, classic mountain lakes while others are quiet, little gems hidden away in the … Day 3: We cross Emigrant Pass and loop around to Cinko Lake on our way to the Dorothy Lakes area, crossing into Yosemite. In addition, I brought down pants and wool socks to stay warm in camp. Camp: Gem Lake. An icon used to represent a menu that can be toggled by interacting with this icon. In fact, I hadn’t seen a single fresh human track on the trail since Emigrant Lake. We took this loop clockwise, heading in the direction of Camp Lake on the first day. You could spend days exploring the area around Deer Lake and never grow weary of your exploits. I planned to camp at Wood Lake. Until then, the trail had been well-maintained. Emigrant Wilderness loop map and stats. Also, in October we saw only a handful of other people on trail. You didn’t report much on your fishing adventures. For ramblings, rants, and the occasional dose of inspirational musing follow her on Instagram or her blog Small Towns to Summits. I passed through some of the most impressive granite landscapes of the whole trip. By Katie Kommer, hiked this route in 2020. It’s the perfect amount of physical challenge mixed with stunning California beauty. When she’s not guzzling instant coffee in the backcountry, you can find her down the ski slopes or using inappropriate language around children at the climbing gym. I gave it a few quick jigs and boom–the trout slammed the fly. Wilderness Air Quality: Who We Are: Our Partners: Monitoring and Data: Air Pollution: Law and Policy: Manager's Portal : USDA Forest Service 1400 Independence Avenue SW Washington, D.C. 20250-0003 (202) 205-8333 You can also take the short spur to Bear Lake, on the junction directly after Camp Lake. The Emigrant Wilderness of Stanislaus National Forest is a wilderness area in the Sierra Nevada.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.