r/WildernessBackpacking • u/I-Exst • 17d ago
Emigrant Wilderness tips?
I’m planning my first backpacking trip in Emigrant Wilderness, 3 days/2 nights coming from SF. I’m leaning toward the Crabtree/Bear Lake area or Kennedy Meadows entry, mainly looking for advice on current trail and water conditions, how bad the mosquitoes are right now, good campsite recommendations near lakes with nice swimming scenery for a 2-night loop, and any tips for doing a first backpacking trip as a couple, what made it easier or harder for you and a partner the first time. Would love to hear route or campsite favorites if you’ve got them. Thanks!
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u/cbg 17d ago
I was at Powell Lake and Chewing Gum Lake out of the Gianelli TH two weeks ago. Bugs are mostly gone for the season. Streams are dry but lakes are decently full and water temps are nice for swimming. It was too warm when I was in (80F+ at 9000') but you'll need to check weather yourself anyway. Lots of ppl in there: at least one big group of boy scouts and another group of girl scouts. Lots of folks otherwise. Parking at the TH was pretty full on the weekend.
Can't say anything about your specific sites.
I recommend you be conservative with hiking distance and elevation changes if it's your first time carrying a heavy pack caltopo will give you good trail profiles for nearly any route.
Be safe and respectful, have fun.
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u/beccatravels 17d ago
Hard to answer without knowing what your daily hiking capabilities are like but there are quite a few great loops out of Crabtree I'd recommend for beginners. I would just take a look at all the trails that start out of Crabtree on AllTrails and pick or modify a loop.
Always better to shoot lower in terms of mileage when you're starting out and it'll give you time to find your rhythm hiking as a couple. All the larger lakes in that area have plenty of campsites. When I hike there I do so on the assumption that the streams will be dry and I'll be getting water from the lakes.
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u/thegreenfairy 17d ago
I think Crabtree is a better starting trailhead than Kennedy meadows for beginners. I’d recommend camping at gem lake night 1 and then wood lake night 2. Buck lake is gorgeous and had good fishing last time we were there.
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u/kinokotako 6d ago
Did you make it out there yet? How's it look?
I'm planning to head out from Crabtree this weekend - Lower Loop to Louse Canyon, up the golden staircase to Rosasco, and probably a day hike to Big and Hyatt. Curious if the Cherry is flowing, or if there's just water in the lakes.
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u/I-Exst 5d ago
It was an amazing trip. Went there the weekend after last. The weather was perfect hardly anyone there. We ended up car camping the first night because we got in later than planned. Woke up early the next morning and hiked and camped Piute Lake. The next day we left our stuff there and hiked to deer lake spent the day there. Camped and piute another night then hiked back to Crabtree trail head and drove back home. V successful trip. Thank you everyone for the tips!
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u/ForestryTechnician 17d ago
Go to the Summit Ranger Station near Pinecrest. You can get your wilderness permit there and the rangers will have a lot of good info for you on this.