He tried, but it just wasn’t happening. Difficulty – Intermediate to Strenuous Best Time – Summer through Fall Special Conditions – High water in creeks, mosquitoes in early summer, popular. It took me all of fifteen minutes to prep for the trip once I got home Friday evening from Russian River. The more we climbed the more vast the scenery became.  I remember loving this lake much more on our way back through on Wednesday as it was vacant of all such noise makers. ... Day 1: Camp Lake, Piute Lake, Gem Lake, Jewelry Lake, Deer Lake, Buck Lakes. Without hesitation i responded with a “Yes!”.  We were the only ones there and neither the trail nor use areas nor any other sign of man could be seen from where we sat.  We headed eastward on the trail and cut north cross country to Long Lake. Small, alpine, glacial, granitoid lake with turf strips around most of the lake margins. Piute Lake in the Emigrant Wilderness. In order to get water a bit away from shore, Bob walked out on a log, balancing precariously, as Jennifer made a video (66 seconds). When we left at 9pm he had added his sleeping mattress… and nothing else. “No way man.” i said in agreement with Darrin.  Darrin and i slept great but i was groggy from sleeping in until 8am…  i never sleep that late. Deer Lake rests deep in the Emigrant Wilderness amidst dozens of other lakes, each one as scenic and inviting as the next. The Gem Lake Loop is located in Emigrant Wilderness, which borders Stanislaus National Forest and Yosemite National Park, and offers incredible views, smaller crowds, and diverse terrain.  There was a full camouflage tarp, an assortment of jackets and coats, a seventeen gallon water container, a five pound bag of rope, and more that i cannot remember. Box 3403 Sonora, CA 95370, All content property of Aspen Meadow Pack Station, Site created and maintained by Big Sand Designs, LLC.  And Darrins whisky was awesome. “Are you sure that’s what he told you?”.  It was a great night. We stopped about halfway up the hill and redistributed some of Franks items. ... .Once we hit Piute Meadow we started to head north up Tom’s Canyon. ... Piute Meadow, Grouse Lake, and Pine Valley. You could spend days exploring the area around Deer Lake and never grow weary of your exploits. Fortunately, however, this is not the end of the story, It’s just the beginning. -Jewelry Lake However, more often than not the challenge of backpacking isn’t the trail itself, the challenge is getting to the trailhead at all, especially if it’s a midweek trip. Has a fair population of rainbows 8 to 14 inches. I explained my idea about Smith and Morris lake and we agreed that it would be too much to do as Frank has only backpacked a couple of times in his life in the past – each one a learning experience in pack weight.  I took about 5 lbs, and Derrin took about the same if not more, maybe closer to 10. I tried to get him to tell his clients he’d be there when he pleased and they’d just have to deal – but he felt that was not the most professional approach. The Emigrant Wilderness of Stanislaus National Forest is a wilderness area in the Sierra Nevada.It is bordered by Yosemite National Park on the south, the Toiyabe National Forest and the Hoover Wilderness on the east, and State Route 108 over Sonora Pass on the north. “Let’s just make it there and take a rest before making any decisions.” I said. Huge collection, amazing choice, 100+ million high quality, affordable RF and RM images. The Emigrant Wilderness of Stanislaus National Forest is a wilderness area in the Sierra Nevada mountains of California, USA. Some of the stairways were more like cobblestone paths.  It was filled with lush greenery and flowers. 17.6 The Wire Lake Trail leaves the Relief Valley Trail at a signpost that is only 0.1 miles west of the Long Lake Trail. So I had all but given up on the trip.  I was using the Lifestraw Bottle. An Unlikely Trip Once again as we approached the top of the hill we had a long stretch of flat ground. This was great. backpacks, day packs, sleeping bags and mattresses, enough knives to start a small knife shop, antique ropes, egg holders of all sizes and from different points in history, pots and pans, hammocks, a fishing tackle box large enough to hold one of each piece of tackle from Fishing World Warehouse, three fishing poles, and that was all just one wall! Good productivity, but no spawning areas. I was sharing pictures of the Emigrant Wilderness and various first night potential camp spots from the Crabtree Trailhead to the both of them. The trailhead doubles as a camp where those heading into the Emigrant Wilderness can spend the night before beginning their trek. We emerged over the final boulders and sprawling out before us was an absolutely massive body of water.  Darrin pulled out smoked oysters – also luxurious and delicious. Length: 16 miles (13 additional miles for the day hike) Elevation Gain: 1600 ft (1,100′ additional gain for the day hike) The Pack: Osprey Exos 58.  At least the trails are less challenging that the Trinities, and maybe a two night trek in will do the trick.  We weren’t ready to head back to camp yet; it was only four/ four and a half miles away and all downhill. All in agreement, we settled up and headed in our own directions to prepare for the journey. “That’s not a good idea dad.” Darrin explained. “I had 4:30 on my brain when I went to bed so I set my alarm for 4:30 instead of 3:30!”, “What time did you make it to bed?” I asked. These two were very energetic, but well behaved. onuruno.e 2 years, 7 months ago Emigrant loop.  Let’s do it again.  It was at this point that Darrin pulled out his thermos of whisky so we could all take a swig.  I could say nothing about this as i had six lbs of beer in my own pack. We hit the trail by 10:15. I really enjoyed reading this and seeing the pictures. Contains rainbows and brookies, some in trophy size. Trailhead: Crabtree (In and out with lollipop loop) As soon as I get home from a trip the clothes are washed and repacked, fuel restocked, and food resupplied. Where we going?”. -Deer Lake Gem Lake Loop, Emigrant Wilderness. by jaypliny. It was also filled with mosquitoes, enough that our stay in this little canyon didn’t last long. If we get as far as Piute Lake (8 mi, timed 4 to 5 hours by different pace hikers), we should be still on track to reach Huckleberry next day. The fish was amazing, and the two he caught were more than we could eat that night even after our long day of hiking. After a bit we arrived at the shore of Camp Lake. The Department of Fish and Game estimates that 42 lakes in this basin have rainbows, 28 have brookies, 6 have goldens, 2 have rainbows and brookies and 1 … ( Log Out /  After a good hearty laugh together, and a few sighs of relief, we hit the trail at about noon. Middle Emigrant Lake: 23 acres at Day 8: (Letoro Lake to Piute Lake) Leaving Letoro Lake, we climb up to Wood Lake, then down Buck Meadow Creek to a trail heading north to Gem Lake, where we will stop for lunch. Emigrant Lake - Key Facts. Emigrant Lake: 140 acres at 8827' elevation, about 15 miles from the trailhead. The Hike: Piute Lake (Emigrant Wilderness in the Sierra Nevada mountains) Trailhead: Crabtree (In and out with lollipop loop) Duration: 3 days 2 nights Length: 16 miles (13 additional miles for the day hike) Elevation Gain: 1600 ft (1,100' additional gain for the day hike) The Pack: Osprey Exos 58 Sleep System: my favorite set up –… 17.6 The Department of Fish and Game estimates that 42 lakes in this basin have rainbows, 28 have brookies, 6 have goldens, 2 have rainbows and brookies and 1 … ~10 miles. By 5:15 AM Linda text me back: “Frank is like Armageddon.” she wrote in her text. -Middle Buck Lake There is a wealth of lakes spread out among the 100,000 acre of this pristine wilderness. The following morning at 4:30 AM I was standing alone in my driveway; both myself and my pack ready to go. Leading Bubo and Dakota in front of the pack. Frank was quick to drop his pack and jump in. Fair camping sites, ample firewood, limited stock feed. Very good trip. I was expecting there to be people around but there was no one. Kim met me at the trailhead and she cooked a great meal and we shared our adventures of the day. -Upper Buck Lake “Fine!” he responded. Frank was limping badly at this point. Some are wide, classic mountain lakes while others are quiet, little gems hidden away in the forest. So funny! When we arrived at 8pm his pack was still empty.  Here on this lake during this day; there was no schedule.  I don’t even remember or fly or mosquito pestering my skin or buzzing my ears. While Smith & Morris Lakes remains elusive, I was stoked to finally experience the string of lakes from Crabtree. Franks Bloody Marys were awesome. Piute Lake 8.0 Whiteside Meadow 8.1 Toejam Lake Trail 9.1 Gem Lake 9.5 Salt Lick Meadow 9.7 Toejam Lake 10.1 Jewelry Lake 10.5 Deer Lake 11.3 Long Lake 11.9 Buck Lake 12.4 Long/Wire Lake Trail 12.8 Wire Lake 13.4 Emigrant Lake 15.9 Emigrant Trail Jct. I got the map out and looked at a 8 mile round trip that would get us to Gem Lake, Jewelry Lake, Deer Lake, and the southern edge of Long Lake via an off trail route, after which we would return the way we came.  Frank made all the bloody marys he had left, Darrin made sure we all had our share of his whiskey, and the both of them helped me finish my beer.  “I brought vodka and celery too.”. “I don’t know!” Frank said with a laugh. But he wanted to go again as he had learned from a few mistakes. There are two hikes that I have wanted to do that till this point have remained ever elusive to me; Smith & Morris Lakes of the Trinity Alps, and the Crabtree Trailhead of the Emigrant Wilderness. We stood on that last mountain top, knowing that Piute Lake was very close and just below us hidden by the trees; we were greeted at this point by some beautiful views. I laughed so much. “This upcoming Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.” I explained. After some more easy hiking, we arrived at what became one of our favorite lakes of the trip; Deer Lake.  Darrin and i freshened up some as it was hotter than it should have been – and humid. “The doctor said i need to stay off of it and exercise it.” he replied. Enjoy a layover day to relax or explore the expansive panoramas and pristine lakes (including a rare Sierra lake with a wide sandy beach), each with its own unique beauty.  With life being so busy if you don’t make it happen, it simply doesn’t happen. I was not expecting much for wildflowers on this trip, but from what i saw in the parking lot there would be many. I will never forget how Frank limped for 8 miles in pain just to sit down on a log and, rather than complain or express even the slightest bit of negativity, simply say in all sincerity; Thank you all for making the trip happen. Not too long after the Lake is considered a premier destination for the â next day just the. 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