Emigrant Wilderness in July….Ideas?

[Ken Helwig]

3-4 days, with 10 to 13 miles per day. Solo in Emigrant. Wondering if there is something that can be easy and fun that might involve light cross country if needed. Crabtree trailhead or Kennedy Meadows. I love above treeline hiking and I know Crabtree really does not offer that. Just thinking out loud

[Paul Wagner]

Start at Crabtree or Gianelli trailhead. Hike east toward Yosemite. Bucks Lakes are nice, Emigrant Lakes are nice, Huckleberry and Letora.  Take a different route back (Easier from Crabtree than Gianelli)

We have reports on all of this on our website, backpackthesierra.com.

[Mark Verber]

I came here to make a suggestion similar to Paul’s but I don’t have good trip reports.  Take this as a second of paul’s notes.  Crabtree is fairly busy, but past Jem lake people density drops significantly. Since covid my no think weekend trip is a 37 miles loop out of crabtree going past jewelry, emigrant, huckleberry, wood lakes. Gianelli Trailhead, chewing gum lake, cross-country to  Granite Lake, Leopold Lake or connect to Crabtree Trail by traveling south from Granite, then to Long Lake or Buck Lake via Crabtree, then Relief Valley Trail back towards Gianelli is a nice alternative. I think I got these ideas from Paul’s trip reports :)

[Alex Wallace]

Good suggestions above. Also look into Kennedy Meadows TH past Saucer Meadow, off trail heading west, fording Summit Creek, and heading up granite slabs towards Iceland Lake. A few other lakes nearby to explore too. You’d have to get creative to fill 4 days, but doable.

[Ken Helwig]

Hi Mark!! Yeah Gianelli sounds fun. I have gone out of there once. I think the cross country from Y Meadows to Granite Lake should be pretty easy. I have been to Granite Lake before from Bear Lake. I need to look at maps to see if I can make this a loop. I would hate to thumb it on those dirt roads

[Ken Helwig]

Alex, I have looked at pictures of that area and it looks like it is right up my alley. I have done a bunch of trips out of Kennedy Meadow, but not where you are suggesting. I am skilled at off trail, but solo, I need to be careful. My wife is not a huge fan. It has to be pretty easy. I do carry a PLB with me btw. Just thinking about the danger of it all

[Ken Helwig]

Paul, I have gone as far east as Buck Lakes and did a lollipop loop back to Crabtree with some friends a number of years ago. If I remember correctly, it is a beautiful hike. Solo, I just need to be careful

[Paul Wagner]

There are two routes you can use for more variety, one from Gem to Deer Lakes, the other back along Woods and Grouse Lakes.  There are a few connectors between the two, too.

[Ken Helwig]

Thanks Paul…I have done one all the way to Buck Lakes and came back past Woods and Grouse as well as a overnighter to I think Piute Lake or Gem Lake with a small connector back and around. Keeping those in my ideas as well

[Author]

Posts