I swim there every other day, and paddle board. 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. Go for a cold dip in the water. After another mile you’ll reach a fork. Backpacking at Chewing Gum Lake, Emigrant Wilderness. Easy. Treat your water! Emigrant Peak was officially renamed as Melissa Coray Peak in October of 1994, in honor of a remarkable pioneer woman who helped to blaze the original Emigrant Trail. Chewing Gum lake veers towards the right, taking you through a beautiful meadow. We left San Francisco at about 8am and got to the the Ranger Station around noon to pick up our permit. 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. This popular trail to Emigrant Lake is heavily utilized by horses & mules - so there's lot of manure and dust. It includes a section on the Emigrant Wilderness. Like Yosemite, it has towering granite mountains and spectacular alpine lakes. Sierra North is the leading backpacking resource for backpacking in the northern Emigrant Wilderness Backpacking Loop . Campsites spread across entire lake. Dog friendly. Required fields are marked *. You can’t miss it. 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: 0 4000 2. 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. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. About half of the road is paved, so plan for about 30- 45 minutes to reach it. for errors or changes that may have occurred since publication. 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. Alternative to the crowds of Yosemite. A dear friend told me about Emigrant Lake Trail for backpacking and camping. With easy walking distance are a number other great lakes. The area is dominated by glaciated landscape, granite and lava capped mountains, as well as many lakes and meadows. 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. Before leaving, we made sure to fuel up with some sandwiches and packed up our backpacks to hit the trail. The trail offers gorgeous panoramic views overlooking the Valley and the Sierras. 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. Over the 4th of July weekend, my friend Blair invited me out on a girls’ only trip out to Granite Lake in Emigrant Wilderness. 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. On the east side of the Sierra you may be able to get your 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. The trail then passes Powell lake, which is also a nice place to camp or stop for lunch and a swim. The Trailhead is located 12 miles from the Ranger Station. 8am to 4:30pm, (209) 586-3234 or 2. Backcountry Regulations for the Emigrant Wilderness. 8am - 4pm. permit from the Bridgeport Ranger Station Highway 395 (south of Bridgeport), (760) 932-7070, summer hours ✅ Map of Emigrant Wilderness to print and Download on your phone : Here ✅ Pinecrest Ranger Station (Google Map), Your email address will not be published. The first 2/3 of the trail is rather flat and appropriate for all skill levels. views hiking forest nature-trips wild-flowers wildlife birding camping backpacking lake walking dogs river trail-running dogs-leash. Call ahead. The Emigrant is most easily accessible from Hwy 108, with many visitors entering from near Pinecrest Lake or Kennedy Meadows. Essentials. This trip, we decided to go in to Granite Lake, which is sort of off-trail, though not by huge amounts. About half the hike follows the southern shore of Caples Lake, a man-made reservoir. Day 6: On our last night, we may choose to camp at Piute Meadow, or Lily Pad Lake or Grouse Lake. Tom Harrison maps have quickly become the favorites of back country travelers. Northwest Map Sonora Pass, Calif, 1979 7.5 minute Topographic … Your email address will not be published. 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. 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. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round. 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 Wilderness is in Stanislaus National Forest, North of Yosemite. 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. Getting there: Emigrant Wilderness is located 160 miles west of San Francisco. Bear Lake or Powell Lake are other famous spots that can be reached without too much hiking (within 2 to 4 hours), but the ranger told us that Chewing Lake would most likely be less crowded than the others. Four USGS 7.5 min Topo Hiking Maps . About half an hour later we got to the Gianeli Trailhead to start the trek at 1pm. Bear canisters are not required in the Emigrant Wilderness. may have been made. Emigrant Lake is considered one of the premier destinations in the Emigrant Wilderness. Enjoy a calming sunset over the lake. Sierra. Intermediate. Elevation gain: 1,200 feet. We passed several groups of backpackers. 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. Summit Ranger Station, (209) 965-3434, #1 Pinecrest Lake Road (at the Y), summer Hours (Memorial Day to Labor Day): While it was short, we definitely had enough time to explore the land and spend lots of time relaxing and enjoying our camping spot. Day 7: This day, we will begin our 6.1-mile on-trail travel to Saucer Meadow. Emigrant Wilderness is an area located North of Yosemite. A Wilderness Permit is required for every party camping overnight in the Emigrant Wilderness. Backpacking in the Emigrant Wilderness! Backpack 6.2 miles from Twin Lake to Emigrant Lake. After about 1 mile of hiking, you will find the Emigrant Wilderness sign. Elevation loss: 1,500 feet. Between it and Covered Wagon Peak, at about 9,400 feet, is a plaque denoting the elevation high-point of the pioneers' route. There are so many trailheads, lakes, and worthwhile routes, that it would be impossible to name them all. Hiking past Blackbird Lake brought a cool encounter with a family backpacking team, the Rileys, including both two and four legged team members. Campsite elevation: 7,600 feet. Read Later Share. You can enter Emigrant from Yosemtie (Boundary Lake), Hwy 108 (Crabtree, Gianelli Cabin, and Kennedy Meadows), or the Sonora Pass… Our trip: Date : Mid- August 2016 We spent our trip at Chewing Gum Lake over the course of a weekend. (net elevation change = -260'; total … Ashland, OR 1 1.8 mi 3.0 km #2 Emigrant Lake South Shore Trail. Distance: 5 miles. Permits are required from April 1 through November 30. The sky was a bit clearer towards north. They can pack you and your gear into an Emigrant Lake base camp. Add Your Trails. The Point RV Park, OPEN YEAR-ROUND, features 32 sites with full hookups, overlooking beautiful shoreline on the lake's north end. There is NO quota though, and permits are free! 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. Trails in Emigrant Lake - 5. Bear canisters are not required in the Emigrant Wilderness. Take a look at the page “Granite Dome Day Hike” for more detail on our route to the summit from this campsite. Rounded granite domes, alpine meadows, cascading streams, and stately forests greet backpackers on the 14-mile journey to the lake. The Rileys had been out for 12 days, hiking around the high elevation portions of the Emigrant Wilderness. Summary: A moderate hike near Carson Pass leads up to a pretty lake located within a steep cirque surrounded by multiple 9,500'+ peaks. But it’s much less crowded than its neighbor to the South, offering more solitude for backpacking. Hiking Project is built by hikers like you. For me I always have a great experience there. Start checking them out and you'll be out on the trail in no time! After chatting with the ranger, we decided to head up towards Chewing Gum Lake. Emigrant Wilderness is one of the most popular places for Northern California groups to complete a 50 mile backpacking trip. I cut off some pointless ups and downs by hiking cross country from High Emigrant Lake to Emigrant Meadow Lake. Start by picking up your wilderness permit at the Summit Ranger Station near Pinecrest - (209) 965-3434. Backpacking Granite Lake, Emigrant Wilderness. 8am to 5pm, fall and spring they close at 4:30 and are not open on Sundays. The trail begins by skirting Caples Lake for the first two-miles. 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. Planning and Permits. The streams had dried up, leaving small puddles of algae and brook trout here and there. This trip is located in the Emigrant Wilderness on the Stanislas National Forest. The historic Emigrant Trail is met part way along the hike and offers an alternative for the more elevation hungry. Emigrant Meadow Lake sits in a large open basin with 360-degree views. The trail carries you to the lake, about 1 mile further. Campfires are prohibited in the Emigrant Wilderness above 9,000 feet and within ½ mile of Emigrant Lake. Dogs are also able to use this trail. Moderate. Kennedy Meadows Pack Station loop via Kennedy Lake to Grizzly Peak to TYT North to Kennedy Meadows: 31.06 miles. A wilderness permit for the Emigrant Wildnerness is required. At the end of the lake you will notice the gentle climb that takes you away from the noise of the highway, through tall pines, with the call of the birds above and wildflowers at your feet. 7 miles roundtrip with a 500 foot elevation gain. In Tuolumne County pick up a wilderness permit at the It climbs upwards (sometimes above 9000ft), so be careful if you are not used to hiking at such a high elevation. 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 … 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. From the south, the wilderness is accessible from Cherry Lake, along the border with Yosemite National Park. Every effort is made to provide accurate and up to date information, but we cannot be responsible The area is dominated by glaciated landscape, granite and lava capped mountains, as well as many lakes and meadows. We both agree that it was the best backpacking trip we’ve taken so far. Emigrant Wilderness is an area located North of Yosemite. Each party is limited to a maximum size of 15 people. Emigrant Lake is a small man made lake that empties in the winter and fills up fully before summer. We'll hike mostly on trail through classic Emigrant country past appropriately named Jewelry and Gem lakes and crossing Cherry and Piute Creeks. Emigrant Meadow Lake was shallow and marshy. The park is beautiful and well cared for. Emigrant Lake is a magnificent destination for an extended Emigrant Wilderness adventure. It’s part of the Stanislaus National Forest and spans about 15 miles in width and 25 miles in length. The lake is surrounded by awesome places to set up your camp. A convenient restroom and a large sign marking the trail head set you on your way four-miles back to Emigrant Lake. 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 … Ashland, OR Easy. We will arrive in the afternoon to explore Pinecrest, pick up our permit and do a short warm-up hike. 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. 3-day spectacular Emigrant Wilderness backpacking loop. There’s nothing like a relaxing weekend in the Sierra backcountry. Campfires are prohibited in the Emigrant Wilderness … Located just north of Yosemite National Park, the Emigrant Wilderness in the Stanislaus National Forest offers an incredible array of natural environments and terrain. Kennedy Meadows Pack Station knows every mile of the trails through the Emigrant Wilderness. 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. DUE TO COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS, RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED. 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. 0.8 mi 1.3 km #1 Cemetery Trail. This is … The trail (20E14, cf map below) is pretty easy to follow and really well maintained. The Fishing The Emigrant Wilderness is … Making a Reservation for a campsite at Emigrant Lake RV Park or Oak Slope Campground (Follow Steps Below) . 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. Hiking Sequoia National Park : the Lakes trail, Last minute weekend Camping in Big Sur, California. Mi-Wuk Ranger Station, 24695 Highway 108 (just east of Mi-Wuk Village), Anglers often spend a week there, working around its long shoreline. They all spent one night on the trail prior to reaching Emigrant Lake. We camped on the north end of the lake. Always confirm information with the service provider and check for any recent changes that Wilderness Permits are required and can be picked up at the Summit Ranger Station in Pinecrest, California. It takes about 3h to get there (via PineCrest) Permit: Permits are required for any overnight trip in Emigrant wilderness. It’s part of the Stanislaus National Forest and spans about 15 miles in width and 25 miles in length. 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