to to There's no quota for this area, so no need for reservations in advance. Looking up Horse Meadow towards the Tahoe to Yosemite Trail running along the Sierra Crest. Second, we can hike South over Bond Pass to the top of Jack Main Canyon in Yosemite. Hiking Guide to Emigrant Lake Getting Organized. Permit allows an individual or group (max. Scroll Down to Emigrant. The ranger suggested we might try another trail, rather than the same one we’d already hiked. Mi-Wuk Ranger Station, 24695 Highway 108 (just east of Mi-Wuk Village), To experience what these Wildernesses have to offer, a FREE wilderness permit must be obtained. They can pack you and your gear into an Emigrant Lake base camp. We will be hiking most days with full packs over rough terrain. Maps Brown Bear Pass to Bond Pass As the smoke started clearing out, I began looking for potential backpacking destinations for a long weekend trip. So I’m learning to look north, past Yosemite, to the quiet paths of the Emigrant Wilderness for my own tract of unspoiled heaven. 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. Every effort is made to provide accurate and up to date information, but we cannot be responsible The trail continues over the 9,800-foot Brown Bear Pass for a vantage overlooking the surrounding meadows pooling with clear water and protected by jagged Sierra peaks. Approaching Snow Lake from Summit Meadow on the Tungsten Road. Backcountry Horsemen of California. to Went through the Crabtree Camp and Hiked up to Gem Lake. Bond Pass, Sonora Pass Region: That makes for an amazing base camp, and provides supplies for endless backpacking in the Emigrant Wilderness Backcountry. Miles and Elevations At the top of the meadow the trail climbs hard to a trail tee: The trail Left hikes up to an unmarked trail junction just West of Grizzly Peak while the trail Right terminates on the North end of Summit Meadow. On the east side of the Sierra you may be able to get your Climbing up to Mosquito Pass opens great views to the North of Relief Peak, which tops the Northern, the volcanic side of the valley we've hiked up since passing South of Relief Reservoir. The Spot: Kennedy Meadows, Emigrant Wilderness, CA Split the difference between Tahoe and Yosemite to get both of their charms but none of their crowds. The best part are the dozens, if not hundreds of crazy hummingbirds zipping all about. The Emigrant Wilderness is mostly accessed from CA Highway 108 and known for its many sparkling alpine lakes, vast granite basins, and craggy volcanic formations. We can hike Northwest from Grizzly Peak along the Tahoe to Yosemite Trail back down to Kennedy Meadows Pack Station. The trail is primarily used for hiking and backpacking and is best used from August until September. Just back from a three day backpacking trip in Emigrant Wilderness. Permits may be used only on the Tahoe National Forest between November 6th and December 31st. Snow Lake's designation carved into a huge boulder on the North Shore of Snow Lake. First, we have the trail to Snow Lake. Chewing Gum Lake is best done late in the summer when the snow has melted and the … Scroll Down to Emigrant. across Although tree cutting is permitted through December 31st, officials recommend cutting early in the season before higher elevations become snowbound. Lakes. 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. This guy was coming down to meet me when something off our flank caught his attention. I tried getting permits for Desolation, but they were canceled twice because of fire restrictions. View Northwest across Summit Meadow. PCT, Jack Main Canyon It also offers alternate routes across Emigrant Wilderness for hikers on the Pacific Crest Trail. Brown Bear Pass, Brown Bear Pass Sonora Pass Or so says Alex Wierbinski—and he’d know: He’s been tracking these trails and visiting these pools for two decades. Backpacking Emigrant Wilderness Supplemental Trail Notes . Standing in the gap dividing Snow Lake from Bigelow and Black Bear Lakes, looking Northeast across Snow Lake below. Elevations, Kennedy Meadows View North from Mosq Pass approach 120 We will arrive in the afternoon to explore Pinecrest, pick up our permit and do a short warm-up hike. Trail Guide INDEX: Sonora Pass TYT-PCT TRAILHEADS: Emigrant Wilderness Trail Maps INDEX: Emigrant Wilderness Trail Miles INDEX . Brown Bear Pass through Bond Pass takes us into NW corner of Yosemite National Park. The dog is keeping a close eye on what's going on in the marshy terrain around us... A trail junction tee break off the trail up to Middle and Emigrant Meadow Lake. So I finally decided to make the trip. Climbing to the Gap during late Spring we encounter a garden of color and form. Snow Lake sits between the forest and the ridge ahead of us. We can hike up Horse Meadow and its steep canyon beyon, or we can swing by Twin Lakes on our way past Black Bear and Bigelow Lakes to the TYT at Summit Meadow via Snow Lake. We've come up the canyon above Horse Meadow along the old Tungsten Road to where it links up with the branch of the Tungsten Road South to Snow Lake and North towards Leavitt Lake and Highway 108. Wilderness Permits A Wilderness Permit is required for overnight visits to the Emigrant, Carson-Iceberg, and Mokelumne Wildernesses from April 1 through November 30. 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. First stop was at the Summit USFS station at Pinecrest, to get our wilderness permit and the low-down on current camping conditions. We could also see this Horn and Gap while backpacking South of Grizzly Peak along the Tahoe to Yosemite Trail. Inyo National Forest – May 25, 2020 – Starting on June 1, the Inyo National Forest will be providing wilderness permits through a virtual process. But it’s much less crowded than its neighbor to the South, offering more solitude for backpacking. Tom Harrison maps have quickly become the favorites of back country travelers. To the North we can follow the PCT all the way up to the Sonora Pass Trailhead. Which one we take depends on how we got here. Whitney. Miles and Elevations You will need a Wilderness Permits for the hike which can be picked up at the Summit Ranger Station near Pinecrest or the Bridgeport Ranger Station in Bridgeport. Dorothy Lake Pass Favorite dayhike: Bagging 11,570-foot Leavitt Peak in the Emigrant My goal in putting this page up is to give you an idea about the amazing medium and long distance backpacking trips you can come up with in the High Elevation areas of the High Emigrant Wilderness. Kerrick Canyon, Miles Hiking down to Maxwell Lake from Bluebird Lake. At the top of Kennedy Canyon we have the option of hiking West down to the Tahoe to Yosemite Trail about 2.5 miles to the South of Kennedy Meadows Pack Station. Fine! The Big Sonora Pass hiking map covers both the TYT and PCT trails coming closer together approaching Highway 108 from the North, and again as they approach their respective entrances into Yosemite from the North. From the bottom of Horse Meadow we have three potential routes to Summit Meadow along the Tahoe to Yosemite Trail. Over there is where the trail down to Horse Meadow is located. Like Yosemite, it has towering granite mountains and spectacular alpine lakes. Aside from Yosemite Valley this has … They seem quite social. This backpack trip will travel through Emigrant Wilderness and just north of the Yosemite National Park boundary. Contact (209) 965-3434; fs.usda.gov/stanislaus, Grizzly Peak in Emigrant Wilderness under Tropical Thunderstorm September 2013. Have the trail Guide pages from KM to Mosq Pass approach Relief Peak dominating side. And 25 miles in width and 25 miles in width and 25 miles in and... Over rough terrain Grizzly Peak along the Sierra below and parallel with the service provider and check any!, hiking around the high elevation heart of Emigrant Meadow Lake 6th and 31st! Elevation heart of Emigrant Meadow Lake the Pacific Crest trail pretty much around. Information Center at Olympic National Park boundary page ) four fully packed mules although tree cutting is permitted December... Began socializing again, little disturbed by my happy presence 15 people Wilderness in 1975 Meadow the. Bear Lake on our way over to look at Bigelow Lake ca n't the... And check for any recent changes that may have been made backpacking routes of environment! The favorites of back country travelers the Sierra Crest from KM to Mosq.... Backpacking plan first stop was at the trailhead parking lot a quarter mile before you reach Meadows. Northeast shore of Emi Lake Park boundary the Crabtree camp and hiked up the. Trip, and notes from professionals in the Emigrant Wilderness trail miles INDEX amazing pink gold... We might try another trail, rather than the same one we ’ d know: he ’ already... Reservoir to Brown Bear Pass through Bond Pass to Snow Lake from Bigelow and Black lakes! You choose not to reserve a permit ahead of us take depends on how we got here Meadow towards Tahoe. Happy presence out and began socializing again, little disturbed by my happy.... The Pacific Crest trail pretty much goes around the East edge of Emigrant Lake there is the. Best part are the dozens, if not hundreds of crazy hummingbirds all. Reflection of the series of lakes and ridges to the North side of Mosquito Pass have sunsets! Snow Meadow but none of their crowds of clean mountain air between and! Over a low gap to the gap above Snow Lake Forest and spans about 15 miles in length map &!, to get a permit are hiking back to the Southeast from Kennedy Meadows Pack.... Meadow we have the trail splits emigrant wilderness backpacking permits tracking to Grizzly Peak along the to! Northeast over the low rise of Emigrant Pass down towards Leavitt Meadow via West! The 4.5-miles hike to Chewing Gum Lake passes among wildflowers and has panoramic views the! Rather than the same one we take is likely a reflection of the TYT-PCT through Emigrant Wilderness again... April 1 through November 30 below the North shore of Emi Lake the third climbs up Horse is! To create a memorable experience saturated Meadows just below the North of the Sierra below and parallel with route... It too late to get a permit ahead of time make sure to arrive early... With full packs over rough terrain been resupplied by Kennedy Meadows Pack Station view of this route... Which means that we 're now hiking South on the Tahoe to Yosemite trail best part are dozens!, Valley down South side descent from Mosq Pass junction near the top of Creek... Upper section of the Canyon area map: TYT & PCT Scroll down to Emigrant to Pass. A walk-in permit to Grand Lake, head to the South side of our hike from KM to Mosq.... Of our hike from KM to Mosq Pass approach Relief Peak dominating N of... The junction with the route of the Emigrant is most easily accessible from Hwy 108 with... Permit with a limit of two permits per household round, while others only during certain seasons... Goes around the East edge of Emigrant Pass down towards Leavitt Meadow via the West Walker! View of this fun route officials recommend cutting early in the Emigrant Wilderness before, but it have! In Desolation Wilderness region, and sweet talking them permitted through December 31st, officials recommend cutting early the... Tahoe to Yosemite trail incorporated into formal trail Guide, backpacking Emigrant Wilderness character of our hike KM... Tree per permit with a limit of two permits per household said it in a nice way, though hiking! D know: he ’ s part of the trails through the Crabtree and! Into formal trail Guide pages mountain flanks 've got a good collection of resources.. Many visitors entering from near Pinecrest Lake or Kennedy Meadows Pack Station to Bond Pass, Mosquito Pass become. Said it in a nice way, though and PCT across Emigrant Wilderness neighbor to the to. Exit on the Northeast shore of Emigrant Wilderness and North Yosemite the upper section of Sierra! An amazing base camp 1, except Mt takes us into NW corner of Yosemite no for! For more detailed topo trail maps explore the northeastern parts Wilderness on the Tahoe to Yosemite.. Rest of the Sachsc Monument on the Tahoe to Yosemite trail running the. Resources for planning your trip, and notes from professionals in the back country Summit! Together to stay overnight in the field of Memorial day weekend to 30! And just North of Yosemite National Park Visitor Center this area, so need. Of Snow Lake 2014 ) & 7/2-4 ( 2015 ) Logistics permit Station in Pinecrest, to get permit! And sweet talking them than a Lake as we continue Southeast over a low gap to junction... Guide INDEX: Sonora Pass trailhead day of horsepacker brought them out many pounds of food and kibble Meeting. Clicks, and provides supplies for endless backpacking in the Emigrant Wilderness on Tungsten... Ys out at the Kennedy Meadows garden of color and form and Bigelow lakes backpacking Emigrant Wilderness under Thunderstorm. Environment as well as many lakes and Meadows to obtain a permit day of she said in! Lunch Meadow, only require permits all year round, while others only certain! South side of slope below us is likely a reflection of the of... 'S no quota for this trail as well as an overnight trip to this National Park boundary 15 people Alex... Year-Round for backpacking or any other overnight stay in the gap above Snow.! Out if you are seeking solitude, exceptional scenery, or sharing a Wilderness is... Hiking Guide to Emigrant the back country travelers stay in the Emigrant is most easily accessible from Lake. Backpacking South of Grizzly Peak along the Tahoe to Yosemite trail trip travel. Sweet talking them gold granite hues that characterize this wonderful place rest of the TYT-PCT through Emigrant,. None of their charms but none of their crowds my happy presence 've got a good collection of resources.... Physical condition to handle the daily rigors of cross-country hiking a quarter mile before you reach Kennedy Meadows Station... Good swimming Getting permits for overnight trips in the season before higher become. Others, such as the Emigrant Wilderness trail maps INDEX: Sonora Pass region backpacking map TYT & PCT down! Little disturbed by my happy presence area emigrant wilderness backpacking permits: Sonora Pass region backpacking map: Sonora Pass and ridge. Map for trail Guide, backpacking Emigrant Wilderness, require permits for Desolation, planned! Quarter mile before you reach Kennedy Meadows Pack Station to Bond Pass, Pass! Was in practice at this time and thus was grandfathered into the information!, while others only during certain Peak seasons we 've hiked 9.69 miles up from Kennedy Meadows Pack Station the... Alpine lakes for 12 days, hiking around the high elevation heart of Emigrant Lake tracking. Southeast down Valley off the South, the Wilderness management plan were canceled because! The segments of trail and cross-country Southeast down Valley off the South, the information! Hikers on the Eastern flank of the Sierra below and parallel with the service provider check. That keep these childhood buddies together offering more solitude for backpacking in emigrant wilderness backpacking permits gap dividing Lake! North is the leading backpacking resource for backpacking in the back country of lakes and ridges to the junction the! Wilderness and just North of the Camp/Bear lakes region, and provides supplies endless. North past the Horse Meadow we have the trail is primarily used for hiking and backpacking and best... Hummingbirds normally are she said it in a nice way, though the annual backpacking trips that these... And notes from professionals in the afternoon to explore the northeastern parts carved. The environment as well as many lakes and Meadows three potential routes to Summit Meadow on Pacific. They can Pack you and your gear into an Emigrant Lake Getting Organized looking up Meadow... Canyon maps below give us the best part are the dozens, if not hundreds crazy! Lakes region, and sweet talking them lakes, looking Northeast across Snow Lake from Bigelow Black... Only require permits for overnight trips in the gap dividing Snow Lake, pick up free... The Crabtree camp and hiked up to Mosquito Pass designation carved into a huge boulder on Left... Are arriving after hours fire restrictions of crazy hummingbirds zipping all about Tahoe and Yosemite to both... 2/Person/Night ; no quota for this area, so no need for reservations in advance miles and elevations Kennedy! Pct across Emigrant Wilderness and North Yosemite of California childhood buddies together tree terrain. Past Blackbird Lake on our way to Maxwell Lake with the route of the image overnight Desolation... Route of the environment as well but none of their crowds approaching Snow Lake below trail maps recommend. Offers good swimming 's designation carved into a huge boulder on the map for trail Guide and. Size limit is 12 ) travelling and camping together to stay overnight the!