TR Emigrant Wilderness - Granite Dome 7/10-12

[norak]

Just a very quick report with photos. We hiked out of Coyote Meadow TH on the morning of Friday the 10th after sleeping at Herring Creek campground the night before. After the heavy rains Wed and Thu last week everything was wet, with giant puddles the width of the road driving up from Herring Creek to the TH. Hiked into Upper Relief Valley and camped for 2 nights at the upper (southern) lake. On the layover day we hiked into the basin at the foot of Granite Dome, got a look at most of the lakes and summited Granite Dome. Returned to our campsite via the back (south facing) side of Granite Dome and hiked back out the next day.

Despite the dry year, this was the most spectacular wild flower bloom I've ever seen in the Sierra. Granted we usually go a little later in the year to avoid the mosquitoes, but even compared to other July trips this was truly special. When we hiked in on Friday, we waded through meadows of thigh-high Lupine that had flopped over onto the trail in the rain and got our pants and shoes soaked. Every meadow we passed through - Cooper, Hay, White Sides, and Upper Relief Valley itself, was an explosion of color. On top of the moraine mound to the east of the summit of Granite Dome was a huge patch of blue flax, a flower I've only seen in one or two other locations in the Sierra.

And, after the recent rains (evidently quite heavy at times), the creeks were running high, the lakes were full, and there was running water everywhere - you'd never know we are in a drought.

All in all, a fantastic trip!

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[justm]

I love that area, beautiful photos, wish I could get up there , thanks for sharing !!!

[mschnaidt]

Here's an interesting post I found when researching Iceland Lake and Granite Dome. One of your shots was taken not too far from this crash site.

https://braaten-family.org/ed/GraniteDome.html

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[DriveFly44]

Awesome...thanks for the report and update on the wildflowers. Really good timing because we're getting married on top of granite dome this Saturday!!!

[norak]

Wow what an inspiring place to get married! Congratulations! I hope you'll have good weather.

Nora

[norak]

Thanks to everyone for reading!

[giantbrookie]

Wow. What an explosion of wildflowers.