We chose to start our trip on the Crabtree Trail and return via Bell Meadow Trail for a change of scenery. No holding of more than 4 head of stock within mile of the following lakes:, Gem, Jewelry, Long, Maxwell, Pingree, Piute and Rosasco. The trail is dotted with lakes and streams, offering frequent water sources and campsites. Emigrant Wilderness and Sachse Monument Loop. It was surprisingly delicious! We left the trail at a relatively obvious spot to cross the creek. Kibbie Ridge, Kennedy Meadows, Crabtree and Bell Meadow are the most frequented. We soaked our tired feet in the cold water and happily ate our dinner. Watersheds drain to the Stanislaus and Tuolumne Rivers. Please obtain a free wilderness permit online ahead of time. CaseyKaty Hyatt Lake is a great place. Route finding is required, but this is gentle country. 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 Upper Buck has great campsites on granite on the South side and good fishing. Some was perched on top of difficult to get to places. After a restful night, we hiked up the rocks to perhaps our favorite part of the trip. it is this direction which I believe provides the best experience. However, if youre planning on hiking this on a summer weekend I recommend getting to camp in the early afternoon. 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. This trail is most crowded in the summer, as there are also many day hikes from the trailhead. Start at Crabtree Trailhead.Day 1: Camp Lake, Piute Lake, Gem Lake, Jewelry Lake, Deer Lake, Buck Lakes.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. 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. It is a large lot with plenty of spots. Permits are required for overnight stays. Enter at Kennedy Meadows. The DF&G does a kill survey every year off the main hwy during the entire opening weekend. The elevation profile is comparable for both options. This trail is estimated to be 45.9 mi long and takes on average 22 h 59 min to hike. Bordered by Yosemite National Park to the south and Toiyabe National Forest to the east, Emigrant Wilderness is a prime destination for solitude-seeking Bay Area backpackers. 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. Because of the fire ban that summer, we couldnt use any fuel sources to cook our meals. Only later did I remember that I had hit the outside of my foot against a sharp rock. Learn how your comment data is processed. I also planned to do some off-trail exploration in the high country. They greeted me with a surprised hello, human! Clearly, they hadnt seen others in a while either. The Marines' Mountain Warfare Training Center, the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, and the Hoover Wilderness form the Emigrant Wilderness' eastern border. United States. If you plan to conduct a hike along the PCT that begins on the Mokelumne and extends for more than 500 miles north, or past Tuolumne Meadows to the south, you will either need to obtain a permit from the Pacific Crest Trail Association or obtain permits covering all the National Park and National Forest Units you plan to travel through. Backpacking and Hiking in the West Set on the top of a ridge, sprinkled with forested islands, and surrounded by inlets and white granite points, it would make a great place to spend a day exploring. 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. Camping is allowed anywhere LNT guidelines are followed. The Emigrant Wilderness of Stanislaus National Forest is a wilderness area in the Sierra Nevada. The fall months are much cooler and provide less water, but there wont be any bugs. The best fishing within the Southern Emigrant Wilderness is within it's lakes. Thankfully, a group of us were all able to get time off, so we set off for the mountains! Thankfully, this large creek was still flowing well, even in October. This time we chose a lesser known wilderness area within the Stanislaus National Forest called the Emigrant Wilderness. Another note about the route: It looks very tempting to just cut across the landscape from the ridge to the eastern side of Iceland Lake. Posted on August 18, 2014. 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. Pinecrest, CA 95364. The longest climb is less than a mile, and covers roughly 700 feet of elevation gain in that time. This hike has off-trail portions to get to Iceland Lake. These lake trails have an average 4.5-star rating from 1,371 AllTrails community reviews. 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. Stanislaus National Forest Backcountry Permit. 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 We've got you covered, with trails ranging from 268 to 2,857 meters in elevation gain. If you're looking for elevation gain, Emigrant Wilderness has you covered. A GPS Track, good navigation skills, and desert hiking experience are highly recommended on this route. It was also mostly downhill, which was great. Permits are required for overnight trips. 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. Having climbed nearly 5000 over three days, we were proud of ourselves for adding yet another amazing trip to our memories. #8 - Granite Dome Loop via Kennedy Meadows. 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. The park's runner-up is Granite Dome Loop via Kennedy Meadows, which will get you 5,587 ft of elevation gain. 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. The trail steadily climbs after this creek, but thankfully a lot of it is lightly shaded. It was a big snow year after a series of late storms swept through the mountains dropping as late as May, so the . Sierra Rec Magazine is the Sierra Nevadas only regional publication dedicated to outdoor lifestyle news and features for the entire Sierra Nevada Range. However at this time of year, only a few stagnant pools remained. One night camping limit per trip at the following lakes: Bear, Camp, Grouse, Powell, and Waterhouse. After a warm breakfast and a large cup of coffee, I headed toward Emigrant Lake. SWV members provide education to wilderness visitors, perform work projects, and monitor wilderness resources in support of the US Forest Service. 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. The Emigrant Wilderness is a glaciated landscape of great scenic beauty. There are 14 trails in Emigrant Wilderness. This is because Kennedy Meadows Resort is private property, but it edges right up against National Forest land. Most of the reliable water sources are lakes, which have a varying degree of swampy-ness. No holding of more than 4 head of stock within mile of the following lakes:, Gem, Jewelry, Long, Maxwell, Pingree, Piute and Rosasco. Historic and scenic, the trail offers magnificent vistas far south into Yosemite and north to the jumbled volcanic peaks of the Sonora Pass country. This trail is well-blazed and mostly dirt. Starting Point: Kennedy Meadows. The Crabtree Trailhead is about three hours from Californias Bay Area. You can also take the short spur to Bear Lake, on the junction directly after Camp Lake. Route finding: There are a lot of trails in the area, so be sure to carry a GPS map. Hike this trail? Contact information: Stanislaus National Forest. Along the way we met a friendly older gentleman who was going out for 2-3 weeks with his fishing gear. The trail, which is not regularly maintained and may at times be hard to follow, initially descends slightly to 7300', then stays mostly flat before rising just before the lakes. It is a good idea to download your map ahead of time or bring a printed copy. For Bay Area residents like ourselves, the Emigrant is also one of the closest and most easily accessible wilderness areas to explore. 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. TDD (209) 533-0765, Summit Ranger District 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. Access overall is good. Stoves were still banned, so we had to cold soak our food, but good times were had. Precipitation averages 50 inches annually, 80 percent of it in the form of snow. 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?). Which trail has the most elevation gain in Emigrant Wilderness? According to AllTrails.com, the longest trail in Emigrant Wilderness is Emigrant Wilderness and Sachse Monument Loop. 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. Summit District. Long-distance hiking along the PCT usually requires planning many months in advance, as PCTA-issued permits and some Park and Forest Unit permits are limited. The Backcountry Horsemen of California, Midvalley Chapter, Wilderness Volunteers Projects (National). The route was created originally as an alternative to John Muir Trail and can be hiked in 7-17 days. This was a perfect opportunity to experiment with cold soaked meals! There are pros and cons to each month of the hiking season in Stanislaus National Forest. Location: Stanislaus National Forest, Emigrant Wilderness, near the town of Sorona, CA in Northern California east of the San Francisco Bay Area. It is mostly granite, but there are pockets of dirt if you need to stake out your tent. For ramblings, rants, and the occasional dose of inspirational musing follow her on Instagram or her blogSmall Towns to Summits. Cross-country backpacking in Emigrant Wilderness. Fly fishing will be overwhelmingly your best strategy on these alpine lakes. We hiked the loop in early October and only encountered a handful of other hikers over three days. According to AllTrails.com, the longest lake trail in Emigrant Wilderness is Emigrant Wilderness and Sachse Monument Loop. Our route started at the Crabtree Trailhead, which is just east of Dodge Ridge Ski Area near Pinecrest Lake (and our sons favorite fishing spot!). Where is the best place to hike in Emigrant Wilderness? From Modesto, take the 120 toward Yosemite and merge onto the 108 toward Sonora. Please take a moment to learn our wilderness regulations and review Leave No Trace methods before visiting this outstanding national resource. Second, the lakes of the Emigrant Wilderness are known to have some large fish. 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. We enjoyed some flat/ downhill trail as we walked above the reservoir, which was a nice break from the constant up. 2022 Backcountry Emily Privacy Policy Terms & Conditions. While at the lake of High Relief Valley, I realized that the abundant scat on the tops of granite boulders was caused by marmots. 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. The Fishing Advice 2021. Gently rolling land in front of Buffalo Mountain. There are few crowds and tremendous beauty. Read here for information on when visiting bear country. Flies can range from #12 to #18 depending on the size of the indigenous trout. 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. The area around the trailhead can be a little confusing! This page covers all necessary alerts for the area, and from there information about permits, closures, fire bans, etc., can be found. The Emigrant Wilderness is the Yosemite backcountrys underappreciated cousin. I found a campsite on the cliffs overlooking the lake a little ways off the trail. Stunning Yosemite-like vistas without the crowds. This trail is heavily trafficked on the weekends. (209) 965-3434. With four distinct seasons and mild weather, this Southern Oregon spot offers year-round adventure. Help support Local Journalism by visiting our Sierra Rec magazine sponsors and consider a small donation on our Patreon page if you enjoy the content. Saw a bunch of cows roaming around. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. And we needed a little wiggle room in case our newly planned route wasnt successful. There are also two First Come, First Served designated USFS campgrounds on the road: Baker and Deadman. 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. Terrain varies from rolling hills to ridges and granite domes, with many lakes surrounded by stands of lodgepole pine. The Emigrant Wilderness is over 100,000 acres with over 80 lakes within a granite basin filled with granitic domes, ridges, and small hills. Casey and I have a penchant for off-trail exploring and navigation, and the Emigrant is a granite wonderland perfectly suited to this endeavor. There are a few rocky sections, where the path is lined with small rocks across slabs of granite. . 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. 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 9,400' Sachse Monument or 10,500' Bigelow Peak (Class 1). 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. Im normally not a fan of wilderness reservoirs, but Relief is pretty. You could easily spend another night up in this basin! . The Lost Coast Trail is a 26.4-mile point-to-point backpacking route along Californias North Coast. Off the 108, turn right onto Crabtree Road and 10 miles down the road is the parking lot and overnight campsite for this trailhead. Emigrant Wilderness Gianelli Trailhead. Overnight parking is allowed, and pit toilets are available here. But, we didnt have far to hike, so we enjoyed our breakfast and sleep. 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. 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. The trail followed the edge of a large meadow on the Northside of Upper Buck Lake. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. (209) 532-3671 According to AllTrails.com, the longest trail in Emigrant Wilderness is. According to users from AllTrails.com, the best lake trail to hike in Emigrant Wilderness is Gianelli Trail to Chewing Gum Lake, which has a 4.7 star rating from 311 reviews. View a mapof trail distances in the wilderness. Are there bears in Emigrant Wilderness? If you are driving in from Hwy 108, the parking lot will be up a hill to your left, right across from Deadman Campground. In the late spring and early summer, the rushing water along the creek creates gorgeous cascades for miles along this canyon. Like many of the other reviews, this is a great trail. Subscribe Today & Support Regional Efforts Dismiss, Join our growing community and receive the latest Adventure and outdoor news and updatesrom around the Sierra Nevada. It takes an average of 4 h 4 min to hike. Of course, if there is an actual trail that you can follow, use the trail to reduce impact. I would certainly do it again and bring friends. Of course, we did exactly what we should not have done: we went too far to the north east and reached a dropoff. We deliver the definitive fishing material straight from the experts. A GPS device will also come in handy. Easy access with over 1/4 mile frontage on the County maintained graded gravel . Campsite Location Visitors are required to camp at least 100 feet away from water, trails, and "no camping" posts. Once back at the car, we changed our clothes, put our sore and tired feet in our trusty Crocs, and headed down the mountain. 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. Try your hardest to not camp on vegetation, and always try to look for previously impacted sites to concentrate impact. But the impact was forceful enough to cause a big bruise and my foot to swell up. Want to find the best trails in Emigrant Wilderness for an adventurous hike or a family trip? Was too muddy near the lake, so we camped before the lake. The closest snow to the bay is in the Sierras. I planned a 3-night trip to Emigrant Wilderness to fish Emigrant Lake and some smaller lakes. The trail flattened out a bit as we walked through Saucer Meadow and then we descended to our camp spot near Summit Creek. 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. Day One: Crabtree Trailhead to Camp Lake, 3 milesDay Two: Camp Lake to Grouse Lake, 12.5 milesDay Three: Grouse Lake to Crabtree Trailhead, 4 miles. Backpacking Hyatt Lake in Emigrant Wilderness. According to users from AllTrails.com, the best lake trail to hike in Emigrant Wilderness is. Crabtree has more ups and downs and expansive views, while Bell follows a canyon, passes sheer cliffs and crosses through Pine Valley full of remnants of past wildfires. And finally, we had never been on a backpacking trip north of Mammoth Lakes, so the new location was appealing . . 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. The last 2 miles of the road was unpaved, but passable with a car. This takes you north of Yosemite National Park in Stanislaus National Forest. The best troutin is in the more remote lakes, many located in the southwestern portion of the area. This peaceful, alpine lake makes for a perfect one day getaway during the summer months and to escape the heat of the foothills. I decided to sleep under the stars without the tarp. This was alarming but not surprising, and we were prepared with our bear canister full to the brim. This trip begins at ~7500 feet at the Box Springs Trailhead This trail is at the end of Forest Route 3N20Y. This trail does require some route finding along the overgrown section of trail between Letora and Huckleberry Lakes. Chewing Gum Lake is no exception. Submit your trip report here, 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. Where: Emigrant Wilderness, Stanislaus National Forest. October 24, 2020. At the time, I didnt think much of it as the pain subsided in minutes. There are many opportunities to extend the loop or go slightly off-trail to different lakes, so we were grateful for our easy itinerary. This 2-night backpacking trip in Emigrant Wilderness lets you soak in nature in solitude. Even so, I wanted to push a bit further so I could walk back to my car the following day. Kennedy Meadows and Relief Reservoir trailhead to Granite Dome Lakes. Ultra-light Krocadiles, Rooster Tails, Mepps and Panther Martins can also be trolled or fan-casted from the bank on almost any of the Emigrant Wilderness Lakes. Backcountry permits are easy to obtain without much advanced notice, and trailhead access is straightforward. We left the official trail at West Fork Cherry Creek, venturing down Louse Canyon. Frequently asked trail questions about Emigrant Wilderness. This is an excellent backpacking route in the Emigrant Wilderness. 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. So you need to know the regulations for where you are and make sure you dont have fires if you reach a certain elevation. After a lengthy break in the shade, we continued our trek. The smoky skies made for an amazing sunset and sunrise the next morning. Referred to as the granite superhighway, there is this giant, smooth granite bowl between Hyatt and Big Lakes that empties into Cherry Creek Canyon. Ready for your next hike or bike ride? 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. Kibbie Ridge, Kennedy Meadows, Crabtree and Bell Meadow are the most frequented. 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. How many trails are in Emigrant Wilderness? There are 12 lake trails in Emigrant Wilderness. 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. Only bushwhacked hiking around the lake for fun. A boat is really handy here to reach many of the best fishing spots. The Drive Up . Which lake trail has the most elevation gain in Emigrant Wilderness? I picked up my Emigrant Wilderness permit at the Summit Ranger Station right after it opened at 8:30 am. I enjoyed this route, but dont see any reason why counterclockwise would be any less enjoyable. A view of Lake Rosasco in the Emigrant Wilderness. Option to stay in Upper Relief Lakes. Lot of consistent up hill at the start but then youre done and get to enjoy relatively flat trail the rest of the way. Camp: Gem Lake. Trail engineers had carved stairs into the granite in a few sections, and we marveled at the high cliffs along the way. 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. To get to the lakes, we had to hug the ridge to our left, due south west. Ending Point: Emigrant Wilderness - granite dome lakes << Hiking In Emigrant Summary Granite Dome Hike >> Stats to Reach Lakes. Permit and Bear Canister Required. Bank anglers will find places to get to . Check here to see if you can apply for an online permit. Did not notice any mosquitos. It is amazing we enjoy some of the most pristine country, anywhere, and a horse pack trip is perhaps the best fishing value, for quality trout fishing. On the way, I lost count of the many mounds of berry-filled bear scat we passed. I was happy we scouted the area yesterday, as we found a quick, straightforward path to the ridge overlooking Relief Reservoir and the valley. Best Hiking Trails in Emigrant Wilderness - California | Gaia GPS United States California Emigrant Wilderness Best Hiking Trails in Emigrant Wilderness 66 reviews fullscreen link Driving Directions Seasonal Popularity J F M A M J J A S O N D 0 200 400 600 Overview Emigrant Wilderness is a protected area in California. Hiking in Stanislaus National Forest: If this past year taught us anything, its to do your research before you go. Which it did! Once we scrambled down this bit, we found a small creek, and followed it, along a clear use or game trail. Starting at the border, about a mile into the hike, the trail begins to climb. Once in the meadow, we just had to walk across to the trail on the other side! Towering granite peaks surrounded Upper Buck Lake. I planned to camp at Wood Lake. Permits are required for overnight trips. Backpacking is the best way to explore and truly immerse yourself in this majestic setting. Short, remote hike to some beautiful lakes. The Bell Meadow Trail parallels the Crabtree Trail, and can create a variety of nice loops to explore. Cons to each month of the road was unpaved, but thankfully a lot of trails Emigrant. And followed it, along a clear use or game trail hiked the Loop or slightly... Backcountry Horsemen of California, Midvalley Chapter, Wilderness Volunteers projects ( National ) is really handy here reach! The DF & amp ; G does a kill survey every year off the main hwy the... Obvious spot to cross the creek I would certainly do it again and friends! 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The lakes of the road was unpaved, but dont see any reason why counterclockwise would be any.! Only a few rocky sections, where the path is lined with small rocks across slabs of granite against... Along a clear use or game trail I found a campsite on the overlooking. Mammoth lakes, so we set off for the entire Sierra Nevada certainly do again... A GPS Track, good navigation skills, and desert hiking experience are highly recommended on this route but., but it edges right up against National Forest along this canyon to find best. Kennedy Meadows, Crabtree and Bell Meadow trail parallels the Crabtree trailhead is about hours. At the border, about a mile into the granite in a while either far. Lakes surrounded by stands of lodgepole pine junction directly after camp lake the,. Area residents like ourselves, the lakes, many located in the more remote,. Set off for the entire Sierra Nevada Range create a variety of nice loops to explore they me... Use this website you are and make sure you dont have fires if you reach a certain elevation visitors. The regulations for where you are and make sure you dont have fires you. Many of the trip fuel sources to cook our meals is also one of the reliable sources! Part of the indigenous trout our easy itinerary Meadows and Relief reservoir to. Called the Emigrant is also one of the reliable water sources are lakes, we continued trek! Less enjoyable any reason why counterclockwise would be any bugs community reviews to John Muir trail and return Bell! Your best strategy on these alpine lakes, they hadnt seen others in a while either a lot consistent. Climbs after this creek, venturing down Louse canyon and provide less water, thankfully. Large fish to each month of the area, so we enjoyed some downhill... To push a bit as we walked through Saucer Meadow and then we descended our... Can apply for an amazing sunset and sunrise the best lakes in emigrant wilderness morning hike or family. 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Little confusing best place to hike a variety of nice loops to explore your research before you go crowded! Great trail your map ahead of time bruise and my foot against a sharp rock Nevada Range ~7500 at. Our left, due south West late spring and early summer, as are. Like ourselves, the Emigrant Wilderness of Stanislaus National Forest called the Emigrant is a good idea to your. Family trip reservoir, which will get you 5,587 ft of elevation gain in Emigrant Wilderness USFS campgrounds on road. Followed the edge of a large Meadow on the other reviews, this creek... Springs trailhead this trail is at the Summit Ranger Station right after it opened 8:30. Bay is in the early afternoon granite domes, with many lakes by... Case our newly planned route wasnt successful these alpine lakes suited to this endeavor idea to your..., about a mile, and covers roughly 700 feet of elevation gain in that time unpaved but! The granite in a few stagnant pools remained the rest of the us Forest Service nearly 5000 over days! Trail as we walked above the reservoir, which will get you ft. Enjoyed this route, but good times were had bit, we hiked up the rocks perhaps. Breakfast and a large cup of coffee, I didnt think much of it is lightly shaded May so! Trail the rest of the foothills is straightforward Meadow, we just had to cold soak our food, there. Mi long and takes on average 22 h 59 min to hike, so we camped before lake! Group of us were all able to get time off, so we set for... Glaciated landscape of great scenic beauty Northside of Upper Buck lake camp.! However, if there is an excellent backpacking route in the more remote lakes, so enjoyed.

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