best hikes in the emigrant wilderness

• The Emigrant Wilderness is a 113,000-acre area.
• It is bordered by Yosemite National Park to the south, the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest to the east, and State Highway 108 to the north.
• The area is an elongated area that trends northeast about 25 miles in length and up to 15 miles in width.
• Watersheds drain to the Stanislaus and Tuolumne Rivers.
• The Emigrant Wilderness is designated as a Forest Service Primitive Area since the 1920s and was Congress designated in 1975.
• The northeastern third of the Wilderness is dominated by volcanic ridges and peaks, while the remaining areas consist of many sparsely vegetated, granitic ridges interspersed with numerous lakes and meadows.
• Elevations range from below 5000 feet near Cherry Reservoir to 11,570 feet at Leavitt Peak.
• Precipitation averages 50 inches annually, 80 percent of it in the form of snow.
• Snowpacks typically linger into June, sometimes later following very wet winters.
• Summers are generally dry and mild, but afternoon thundershowers occur periodically, and nighttime temperatures could dip below freezing anytime.
• Some of the Emigrant still includes cattle grazing allotments, and you may encounter cows or their signs from July to September.
• A map of the wilderness and trail distances in the Emigrant Wilderness can be viewed online.
• Maps can be purchased at any Stanislaus National Forest Ranger Station or through the Forest Service online store.
• Resources are available on the Stanislaus National Forest website to learn about wilderness regulations and Leave No Trace methods before visiting.
• Activities include lake and pond fishing, river and stream fishing, backpacking, and horse riding.
• Guide services are available through the Kennedy Meadows Resort and Aspen Meadow Pack Station (operated under special use permit within the Stanislaus National Forest).
• The webpage also provides several resources for planning a visit to the Emigrant Wilderness, including maps, regulations, and safety tips:
  • Recreational Opportunity Guides listed include:
    • 16-21 - WELCOME TO WILDERNESS
    • 16-23 - WILDERNESS REGULATIONS
    • 16-24 - BACKCOUNTRY SAFETY TIPS
    • 16-25 - EMIGRANT WILDERNESS: A PROFILE
    • 16-26 - TRAIL HEADS: GETTING INTO THE

• Emigrant Wilderness is a wilderness area located in the Stanislaus National Forest in California. It is located north of Yosemite National Park and features granite mountains and alpine lakes.
• Emigrant Wilderness is less crowded compared to its neighbor, offering more solitude for backpacking.
• A backpacking trip in Emigrant Wilderness is described, including stops at various lakes and hiking trails. The author notes that they had time for one last weekend trip to the Sierra before winter, so they opted for a 3-night trip to Emigrant Wilderness to fish Emigrant Lake and some smaller lakes, and do some off-trail exploration in the high country.
• The trip began at Crabtree Trailhead, with the author stopping at Camp Lake to fill up on water and layer down.
• The author planned for a short first day, stopping either at Jewelry Lake or Deer Lake, but didn’t see any signs of fish, so they continued hiking to Buck Lakes. They found a campsite on the cliffs overlooking Upper Buck Lake to set up camp.
• The author went trout fishing in Emigrant Lake the next day, catching a large trout and taking a quick photo before releasing it. They continued hiking toward Huckleberry Lake, despite developing a painful foot injury.
• The author planned to camp at Wood Lake but found a shallow, swampy lake. They ultimately found a cliff overlooking the lake for their campsite.
• The article includes a map of the backpacking loop and its stats. The loop starts at Crabtree Trailhead and spans over three days, with daily distances ranging from 10.3 to 16.8 miles and varying levels of ascent and descent.
• The author describes the gear they brought on the trip, including two sleeping pads, a 10-degree sleeping bag, and down pants and wool socks to keep warm in camp. They also note that they did not bring a tent because there were no mosquitoes and no rain forecasted.
• The author provides recommendations for gear and food that would be helpful for a backpacking trip in Emigrant Wilderness.
• The article does not recommend specific hikes in Emigrant Wilderness but provides details about a multi-day backpacking loop that could be a starting point for someone planning a similar trip.
• There are no visible karma scores on the website as it is not Reddit.

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Notes:

• The Emigrant Wilderness is located along the eastern edge of the Sierra Nevada range, covering an area of 113,000 acres. It was first protected in 1931 and designated as Wilderness in 1975.
• The terrain varies widely within the wilderness, with terrain dominated by lava-capped summits with fields of granite spanning for miles to the north and east, and more lakes, meadows, and patches of pine to the west.
• The area is named after the historical mountain pass that follows the West Walker route over the Sierra
• The website provides information on how to get there, with the Emigrant being most easily accessible from Hwy 108, near Pinecrest Lake or Kennedy Meadows. From the south, the wilderness is accessible from Cherry Lake, along the border with Yosemite National Park.
• A wilderness permit is required for all overnight trips into the Emigrant Wilderness, which can be obtained from the Stanislaus National Forest. There are no quotas or fees within the Emigrant. The permit is required from April 1 through November 30 each year.
• Long-distance hiking along the Pacific Crest Trail that begins on the Mokelumne and extends for more than 500 miles north, or past Tuolumne Meadows to the south, requires obtaining permits from the Pacific Crest Trail Association or obtaining permits covering all the National Park and National Forest Units to be traveled through.
• No more than 15 people and 25 head of stock are allowed on overnight trips within the Emigrant Wilderness.
• Bear-resistant food storage containers are highly recommended to use in the wilderness. Campfires are prohibited above 9000 feet, and no fires are allowed within ½ mile of Emigrant Lake.
• Pets must be kept on leash or under immediate voice control at all times. Visitors are required to camp at least 100 feet away from water, trails, and “no camping” posts. There is no exception for using existing sites that are too close to water.
• There are some specific regulations related to certain areas within the Emigrant Wilderness, such as a one-night camping limit per trip at Bear, Camp, Grouse, Powell, and Waterhouse lakes, and a no-holding rule of stock within ¼ mile of Bear, Camp, Deer, Grouse, Powell, Waterhouse, and Wood lakes. There is also no holding of more than 4 head of stock within ¼ mile of Gem, Jewelry, Long, Maxwell, Pingree,

• URL: https://i.redd.it/lkq8y7uxtwb11.jpg
• It’s a post on r/WildernessBackpacking about the Emigrant Wilderness in California
• The post is 5 years old
• The post has 933 points
• The post mentions a campsite located 2 miles off-trail over a granite ridge with a beautiful view of Iceland Lake
• Users discuss their recent experiences in the Emigrant Wilderness area
• A user explains that the relief reservoir area had bad smoke but that it improved farther up
• The ranger station had a map that showed air quality
• The air quality was good, not much smoke
• A user states it was warm enough for a hammock
• Users talk about the beauty of the area, the peacefulness, remoteness
• Some users mention favorite spots like Deer Lake and Ridge Lake
• Users recommend the area for its LNT (Leave No Trace) practices and unspoiled nature
• A user talks about the difficulty of the trails
• Some users recommend specific trails starting at Relief Lake or Bear Lake
• A user asks about parking and trails but receives no response
• A user asks about the mosquito situation, which is tolerable except at dusk
• A user talks about their off-trail experience and reaching Iceland Lake
• The area is near Yosemite but isn’t as crowded

This post and the comments could provide some information about people’s experiences and what to expect when visiting Emigrant Wilderness. However, it doesn’t provide a definitive list of hikes to take, though users do recommend some specific ones.

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Best National Parks for hiking:

• National Parks protect beautiful and precious ecosystems.
• Best National Parks for hiking feature lots of dedicated hiking trails that take you through unique environments.
• Listed 12 best National Parks for hiking that include diverse environments:
  • Yellowstone National Park
  • Yosemite National Park
  • Rocky Mountain National Park
  • Redwoods National Park
  • Arches National Park
  • Glacier National Park
  • Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park
  • Zion National Park
  • Acadia National Park
  • Grand Canyon National Park
• These Parks have a varying number of hiking trails that vary greatly in length, difficulty, and terrain.
• Adventure provides a brief on each of these Parks, including the best time to visit, and a guide to their top hikes.
• Yellowstone National Park:
  • 2.2 million acres in Wyoming, including 500+ geysers and hot springs.
  • 1,000 miles of hiking trails.
  • The largest high elevation lake in North America.
  • Best times to visit are spring and fall.
• Yosemite National Park:
  • Very famous National Park; first protected in 1864.
  • 1,200 acres of pine trees, lakes, wildflower meadows, and sequoia groves.
  • 37 well-maintained hiking paths ranging from easy to strenuous.
  • Park is open year-round.
  • Best time for waterfall viewing is spring runoff season; winter is good for a peaceful hike.
• Rocky Mountain National Park:
  • 415 square miles of wilderness.
  • Over 100 peaks over 11,000ft elevation.
  • More family-friendly hiking trails, with possible wildlife viewing.
  • Park is open year-round, weather permitting.
• Redwoods National Park:
  • Located in northern California.
  • Relatively low-visibility, with fewer visitors.
  • About half of the Park’s area is old-growth coastal redwoods.
  • Best hikes are often relatively flat.
  • Climate allows hiking year-round.
• Arches National Park:
  • Located near Moab in eastern Utah.
  • Over 2,000 natural sandstone rock arches.
  • Slickrock trails that make for colorfully scenic hikes.
  • Spring and fall best times to visit.
• Glacier National Park:
  • 700 miles of hiking trails in Montana’s Rocky Mountains.
  • Wildlife viewing opportunities from grizzly bears

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• Reddit thread from the r/norcalhiking sub discussing the possibility of a 3-night backpacking loop in Emigrant Wilderness in early October

• Specific request for a loop that won’t require a pickup or ride, and that can be completed in 30-35 miles over 4 days

• Two users recommend starting at Gianelli Trailhead for an out-and-back loop, while another suggests starting at Crabtree Trailhead for more loop options

• Further recommendations from users include loops around Gem Lake/Buck Lakes, Emigrant Lake, Deer Lake, Louse Canyon, Cherry Creek to Crossing to Rosasco Lake to Hyatt Lake to Big Lake to Yellowhammer, as well as off-trail hikes to Pingree and Big Lakes

• Several users suggest picking up the Tom Harrison map for more route options and good detail, mentioning that trail forks aren’t always well-signed

• Some discussion of current conditions, such as snow, creek crossings, and mosquitoes, with one user mentioning waist-high creek crossings

• Users provide helpful information and advice, such as suggestions for extending loops or altering routes, as well as recommendations for points of interest and camping spots

• Overall, the thread offers a variety of options and ideas for completing a 3-night backpacking loop in Emigrant Wilderness

• The webpage gives information on dispersed car camping sites in the Emigrant Wilderness Area.
• The post was made by a Reddit user who is planning a day-long camping trip in the Emigrant Wilderness Area. They ask if they can find a good camping spot in Stanislaus National Forest along Forest Rd 4N47.
• Several respondents gave recommendations for dispersed camping sites near the Gianelli Trailhead, with some mentioning the availability of little pull-outs all over the area.
• There was a recommendation to be mindful of fire safety during camping, especially during a dry season. The discussion touched on the dryness of wood even in higher elevations and the origins of some recent fires.
• There was some discussion on whether permits were needed for dispersed camping. One respondent stated that in forest service or BLM land, dispersed camping does not require permits regardless if it’s right off the road. However, another user noted that national forests had their own restrictions and permits may be needed depending on the site.
• There was a question on the kind of permit to be acquired and an answer was given that a permit needs to be obtained from the ranger station (Summit) and a fire permit can be acquired after a short training.
• One respondent recommended being careful about where to park the car when camping as hot metal parts like exhaust pipes can cause plants to ignite.
• Otherwise, there was no specific information offered on the best hikes in the Emigrant Wilderness Area and no mention was made of any trails.

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Guide to planning a trip to the Emigrant Wilderness

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Best 5 hikes in the Emigrant Wilderness for beginner/ intermediate/ advanced hikers