More Emigrant Magic.

[toejam]

I got the chance for one night in the Emigrant Wilderness last week (7/12 & 13) while on vacation in the area. I’d been reading Ben Schifrin’s guide book and decided I wanted to leave the official trail system and find Hyatt Lake. In the past I’ve always missed his off-trail routes, so this time I took the map from the book in a zip lock bag.

After a leisurely breakfast with my wife, I drove to the Crabtree Trailhead and hit the trail at 9:20. I left the official trail at West Fork Cherry Creek, and found my way to Hyatt Lake by 4:00. I thoroughly enjoyed the amazing expanse of granite that drains into Cherry Canyon between Hyatt & Big Lakes.

I camped at the awesome beach site I’ve heard called the “Hyatt Regency.” I heard voices in the distance and saw one guy across the lake, but that was it. It was one of the most enjoyable nights of camping I’ve experienced.

The next day I hiked around the lake, breaking a Gossamer Gear trekking pole bushwhacking. Then crossed the wide granite slope to Big Lake. From there I climbed more granite to Pingree Lake and went for a swim. Then back to Rosasco and out the way I came in. Stepped into the creek at Crabtree to rinse off the dust from the main trail at about 4:00.

Saw lots of people on the main trails, few off trail, but a few at each lake. Mosquitoes were light. The ranger said she heard they were bad at the higher lakes.

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[maverick]

Hi Toejam,

Sounds like you had a great time, thank you for the wonderful TR and pictures!