Emigrant Wilderness

“Martyb
You mentioned hiking in from Kennedy Meadows. That's the TH we're planning on using. From there we're looking at Summit Creek, over Brown Bear Pass, Emigrant Lake, etc. Are you familiar with the area? Anyone else been in to that area?”

“Definately camp at high immigrant lake. Beautiful spot! Stayed there last summer.”

“Thinair
Will look into that location as a possible campsite. Haven't looked at mileages yet so should be able to fit it in if it's that nice. We'll also be passing by Blackbird, Deer lakes before reaching Relief Reservoir.”

“Right on! I hiked through that area last summer on my way to Sonora Pass from Yosemite. It was a bit windy, but very beautiful...the trail we were on was an old jeep trail that ended up at Levit Lake. It zig zaged up over a 10k peak that's just north east of the lake. Climb it if you have the time, the view was awesome!”

“Too crowded.

There are plenty of other Wilderness and places to hike in CA/NV than Desolation and Emigrant.

For solitude, try the Warner Mountain Wilderness in the NE corner of CA. You can spend a midsummer week there and not see another soul.

Friends in Modoc and Lassen Counties get mad at me when I tell others about the Warners. They regard it as their private play area, it gets so few out-of-area visitors.”

“Modoc NF is the least visited NF in the U.S.”

“Crowded? I didn't see a soul for two days. Late June last summer.”

“"Modoc NF is the least visited NF in the U.S."

And the locals like it that way.

It's got to have more wildlife per acre than any other public lands in the country. You can't get out of your vehicle without tripping over mule deer, elk, antelope, chukar, waterfowl, etc (slight exaggeration).”

“Now Now boys no fighting. Let's keep this friendly. ;-)

I'll look into Modoc. Gordon. My son lives in Simi Valley and we thought Emigrant might work out good because of it's proximity to his home. It sounds like we can't go wrong no matter what choice we make. Geeze, maybe we'll hit both.”

“we spent fourth of july weekend at emigrant lake a few years ago and didn't see anyone else at all!!

great wilderness area.... wildflowers were blooming in all of the meadows....i remember that it was a long, long hike up to brown bear pass....

i would highly recommend this area (or the nearby carson iceberg wilderness) for solitude!!”

“What I liked was the unimpared views with few trees. Quite different especially after I spent 5 days hiking through the Yosemite backcountry.”

“It sounds quite similar to our hiking here in the Beartooths, Montana. Once you break above treeline the views are beyond description. I love plateau hiking for just that reason. It provide you with the opportunity to appreciate what it took to get there.

Looking at the topo, it appears to be about a 3500' climb from Kennedy Meadows to Brown Bear Pass.”

“Hey Geezr,

I only hiked to Kennedy Lake from that trailhead - I was taking my father-in-law on his first backpacking trip. The hike to the lake is quite easy, without too much climbing. I would guess that the other posts above regarding scenery are right on the mark, based on what you can see from "below."

Crowded? I think it's all based on your own perception. For some, seeing one or two other hiking groups may seem like a lot, but may seem like the ultimate in solitude to others. I've been hiking numerous times in Emigrant and have gone entire days without seeing anyone. Also seen lots on the trail, then everyone mysteriously disappears at dusk, so it seems like you're alone. I've always been amazed that there can be so many cars at the trailheads, but then you see hardly anyone. Also, for me anyway, it doesn't ruin the experience to see a few other hikers - everyone I've met in there on the trails has been super nice, considerate, etc.”

“Martyb,

The more I hear about this area the more excited I become. I first saw this area in Backpacker and thought it would work out because of it's proximity to my son, who lives in Simi Valley. Now I'm so excited I'll probably go even if work doesn't allow him to. I'm looking at 45-55 miles depending on side trips and final route selection. Probably will spend a week. September, right after school is back in session sounds like an ideal time. Looks like it might not be until 2003. My son works for EMI Records and wants us to come out to see the Rolling Stones for their stop in L.A. They're on the EMI label so we'll be seeing them from they're box at the Staple Center. So, if we go out for that we'll be forced to postpone the Emigrant trip a year. It seem like a long ways off but the anticipation will make it just that much more enjoyable.

When are you coming out for your trip? Believe you said August. Perhaps we can get together then. I looked up your dad, I think, and if he's on Sahara we're practially neighbors. So, let me know if time allows.

Geezr”

“Real nice spot, few people except from the weekend before Labor Day through the end of Oct. it becomes a war zone...deer season. It also has a real high cow pop.”

“At around 50 miles you should be able to cover a pretty good chunk of the wilderness. You might even consider doing a point to point if you don't want to backtrack. I did this year before last by arranging with a guy from the local pack station to pick us up at the endpoint trailhead and dropping us off at the starting point. Paid him about 20 bucks I think - well worth it. September is a great time to be there.

Yeah, that's my dad - so you must be practically neighbors. If it's all right, I'll give him your email - he's enjoying seeking out people who have hiked this specific trail. We'll be there in late August, although the dates aren't set yet - airfares are about $400 right now - yikes!

Wow, the Stones - cool. Aren't those guys ever going to retire?? How will you decide? Stones or Emigrant, Stones or Emigrant.... Let's get together in August, and my dad can tell you about being at the Beatles final concert in SF....”

“I've been going to kennedy mdws and relief res, for years, I go up there approx. every other year, I have enjoyed it each time more and more. good access is hwy. 108 to eagle lakes turn off, and follow forest service signs n501 will take you through very nice terrain you'll pass the three sister... and to relief, approx 16 miles from 108. deer season is the worst for people other than that very nice.”

“Seeing this thread brought back to life re-kindled thoughts of doing a fall trip.

Interested?”

“I agree jcm. Emigrant is beautiful and the worst time to go is Deer Season, with all the horse packers. My first big trip into Emigrant was from Leavitt Lake over Big Sam to Emigrant Meadow Lake, hiking all day above tree line. I did it when I was 18 and it kicked my butt, now it would probably kill me. I also like the area around Deer and Wire Lakes, accessible from Crabtree Camp or Gianelli Cabin. The trip from Kennedy Meadows to Kennedy Lake is a good trip for first timers.”

“Geezr: Yes.”

“Martyb, Look at this route . . . Kennedy Meadows-Saucer Meadow-Sheep Camp-Brown Bear Pass-Grizzly Meadow-Emigrant Pass-High Emigrant Lake-Kennedy Creek-Kennedy Lake-North End of Relief Reservoir-Trailhead.

You're familiar with the locale so if there's something you'd like to do, let me now.

Looks like approx. 28 miles, elevation gain 7100'”

“I've backpacked the Kennedy Meadows to Kennedy Lake a few times, really nice area! I've got a question for someone familiar with the area. Is this the cabin you are talking about? What is it used for?

”

“More importantly, why is there a small Bigfoot sitting against the tree in the left side of the picture, and what is he pointing at?”

“I've changed my mind Martyb, I ain't hikin' with no Bigfoot around.”

“No Bigfeet in the Emigrant, sorry (but did you see that the guy from WA who reported sightings all the time recently died and asked his son to report that they were indeed all hoaxes?).

Gianelli Cabin apparently does not exist any more. The trailhead is located at the former cabin's site, which is about 9 miles east of Dodge Ridge ski area, along the western edge of the wilderness.

Geezr, I'll check out that route. Work is somewhat hectic today and tomorrow, then I'll have some breathing room....”

“We can also head south just before reaching Black Bear Pass and follow that trail to Emigrant Lake - Buck Lakes - Deer Lake - Salt Lick Meadow - to junction south of Relief Reservoir.

It might be more distance, but we'd be around more lakes which might afford some fishing and more scenic camping.

No hurry, we have nine months.”

“Hikin Mike, I believe the cabin from your photo is just below Kennedy Lake? At one time, I believe at one it was a cowboy cabin for summer usage. Gianelli cabin is down by Dodge Ridge/Pine Crest and was a former hunting cabin.

Funny thing about that cabin in your picture. In the summer of '85, while taking my younger brothers on their first trip, I mentioned how good a cold beer would taste. My little brother looked into the cabin and came out with 3 cans of Bud, which judging by the dirt, had been there for some time. Boy did they taste good after being packed in snow.”

“Hey Geezr,

The first loop you mentioned is the same one I have looked at on the maps. The longer one also looks good. My thought to make a longer hike would be to swing around to the lakes you mentioned, but exit at Crabtree trailhead after passing Gem Lake (I've camped there), Piute Meadow, and Camp Lake. Shuttle involved, but we could find a way to make it work.

Finally, another option is cross country travel - definitely doable in much of this wilderness. Not as easy as some areas of the Beartooths, but still reasonable.”

“Forgot to mention - that longer point-to-point is about 45 miles, with the serious climbing all in the first 15 or so miles.”

“I'm getting a fresh cup of coffee and plugging in TOPO.

Gawd I love trip planning.”

“OK, I see several trails, but your idea is to skirt the north side of Emigrant, north side of Buck, Deer, Camp Lakes and then to trailhead at Crabtree.”

“That's the cabin. Thanks!”

“Are you going over Brown Bear Pass to Emigrant Meadows Lake and then to Emigrant Lake?

OR, heading south at the trail junction prior to Brown Bear Pass and then to Emigrant?

Good morning Hikin' Mike and Savage.”

“Well, technically, I'm just sitting in my office right now, but I do see that there are a couple of options there. Might be a good idea to make the decision on-site, too.”

“I don't know if you've ever been to Emigrant Meadow Lake before, but it is an awesome fly fishing lake. I've caught some beauties out of there. The only problem is that a campfire is illegal in this area, so you might be better off to go Emigrant Lake and day trip to Emigrant Meadow Lake for fishing.”

“How about the end of Sept first part of Oct, will that work for you?

I'll fly into Oakland. It's only about $25.00 more than Sacramento.
You can take me to see where they housed us prior to departing for Vietnam. Didn't you mentioned they'd turned it into a housing project?”

“That time frame looks good, Geezr!

A tour of the (former) Oakland Army Base will be in order. I may even be able to get us into a building or two, if I can figure out who to contact. Not sure what they will be doing with it - it's still up in the air. Housing is one possibility....”

“As long as you're in Oakland and doing some touring, check out the aircraft carrier USS Hornet. I believe it is in Alameda.”

“Appreciate the suggestion Savage, but doubt there will be much available time for sightseeing. This trip will probably be a fly in-backpack-fly out. I already have two extended backpacking trips planned for the year and this one just might drive my employer over the edge. ;-)”

“I've been out to the Hornet (in Alameda, yes) a couple of times - it is pretty cool. My favorite exhibit is for the retrieval of the Apollo 11 astronauts. They now have one of the customized Airstream camping trailers used for the moon astronauts during their quarantine, although the one they have was never used (intended for the Apollo 13 astronauts, I think).”

“Martyb,

I beg to differ, according to the bulletin board at Strawberry Bigfoot is alive and active in Emigrant.”

“Martyb,

I beg to differ, according to the bulletin board at Strawberry Bigfoot is alive and active in Emigrant.”

“Martyb,

I beg to differ, according to the bulletin board at Strawberry Bigfoot is alive and active in Emigrant.”

“Martyb,

I beg to differ, according to the bulletin board at Strawberry Bigfoot is alive and active in Emigrant.”

“Excellent! Looking forward to seeing him, uh, er, it, this summer/fall!”

“Martyb, judging by Dunk's multiple posts there must be one heck of a lot of Bigfoots running around out there. Do I need my bear spray?

Or do they sell Bigfoot spray out there?”