TR: Emigrant Wilderness, Crabtree TH, Memorial Day weekend
Posted: Sat Jun 01, 2013 11:35 pm
From Crabtree Campground (map) we picked the trail to Chewing Gum Lake, in a last minute decision at the trail junction. The trail climbs high and we risked some snow. We knew there was snow at Gianelli. When we got closer to the ridge some well consolidated snow appeared, up to ~80% coverage in some places, and trail became useless and disappeared. We went cross-country. We crossed snow-covered meadow east from the Chewing Gum Lk, and climbed the ridge over Y Meadow Dam. We wanted to visit Granite Lake but we saw there was a lot of snow there. Looking north-east we saw less snow. So we decided to go there, skipping Granite Lk, and we went directly to Toejam Lake. As we crossed the gentle terrain above Y Mdw and Toms Canyon we were delighted by many small creeks and waterfalls flowing everywhere on granite. At Toejam Lk we were surprised to see footprints in snow (and later a distant campfire) of another party. At sunset we saw distant red lenticular clouds over Sierra crest. No mosquitoes the whole day.
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Chewing Gum Lake Meadow east from Chewing Gum Lake Before Y Meadow Dam overlook Sun cups Overlooking Y Meadow Dam The next morning we picked our way through a maze of snow and uneven terrain towards Leopold Lake. This was fun, but slow going. The area around the lake looks very nice. From a cliff over West Fork Cherry Creek we went down north-east towards the confluence of roaring cascades of Spring Creek. The snow ended. Beautiful granite valley. We considered climbing to Wire Lakes but we had enough snow. Instead we followed the creek down towards the trail (see description), followed the busy trail for a short time to Piute Lake, down granite slopes to cascades and waterfalls of Cherry Creek again, crossed another busy trail, followed a horse trail (seen on this map, but not on most others) and crossed the saddle east to Studhorse Meadow. Right at Piute Creek many large mosquitoes covered our clothes. We moved away from the creek to find a campsite - still with mosquitoes but not as bad.
Area around Leopold Lake West Fork Cherry Creek valley and Spring Creek cascade (middle) West Fork Cherry Creek near Spring Creek confluence West Fork Cherry Creek below Piute Lake Frog at Studhorse Meadow On Monday it was supposed to rain. We were ready to simply hike out in the rain. However, morning surprised us with mostly clear skies. We followed the creek down and climbed the ridge west, through tough bushes. We could have picked a better route. While we approached peak 8126T dark clouds finally arrived at noon. As we filtered water on gently rolling granite on the way to Chain Lakes the first rain drops fell. It was raining the rest of the way. We looked for the pack trail to Grouse Lake marked on some maps, but except few cairns we saw no trail. We quickly hiked out through Pine Valley.
Click on pictures to see larger versions.
Chewing Gum Lake Meadow east from Chewing Gum Lake Before Y Meadow Dam overlook Sun cups Overlooking Y Meadow Dam The next morning we picked our way through a maze of snow and uneven terrain towards Leopold Lake. This was fun, but slow going. The area around the lake looks very nice. From a cliff over West Fork Cherry Creek we went down north-east towards the confluence of roaring cascades of Spring Creek. The snow ended. Beautiful granite valley. We considered climbing to Wire Lakes but we had enough snow. Instead we followed the creek down towards the trail (see description), followed the busy trail for a short time to Piute Lake, down granite slopes to cascades and waterfalls of Cherry Creek again, crossed another busy trail, followed a horse trail (seen on this map, but not on most others) and crossed the saddle east to Studhorse Meadow. Right at Piute Creek many large mosquitoes covered our clothes. We moved away from the creek to find a campsite - still with mosquitoes but not as bad.
Area around Leopold Lake West Fork Cherry Creek valley and Spring Creek cascade (middle) West Fork Cherry Creek near Spring Creek confluence West Fork Cherry Creek below Piute Lake Frog at Studhorse Meadow On Monday it was supposed to rain. We were ready to simply hike out in the rain. However, morning surprised us with mostly clear skies. We followed the creek down and climbed the ridge west, through tough bushes. We could have picked a better route. While we approached peak 8126T dark clouds finally arrived at noon. As we filtered water on gently rolling granite on the way to Chain Lakes the first rain drops fell. It was raining the rest of the way. We looked for the pack trail to Grouse Lake marked on some maps, but except few cairns we saw no trail. We quickly hiked out through Pine Valley.