TR: Emigrant Wilderness, June 29 - July 2, 2012
Posted: Thu Jul 05, 2012 12:00 am
Due to an illness in the family, I had to postpone a long planned trip to the Bear Lakes Basin. It also became evident that if I wanted to get out at all this year, I'd have to do it very soon. So, last Thursday morning, a window in my work and personal schedules aligned and I made a few calls to see if anyone could join me for a last minute trip to Emigrant Wilderness. I expected to go by myself, but 24 hours later four of us hiked out of Kennedy Meadows.
I and another of my group left the trail head at 3:30 pm and made quick work of the dusty trail. We saw a few day hikers heading down for the afternoon, but no other hikers or horse packers heading up. We reached Summit Creek in about 3.5 hours and found another of our party already there. 30 minutes later our fourth member joined us. We all took a quick dip in the creek and found a great campsite on a granite cliff overlooking the creek. The bugs were a small nuisance near the water, but gone with the slightest bit of wind.
Next morning we headed up the outlet from Lewis Lakes, taking our time to pump some water and enjoy the beautiful creek. At lower Lewis Lake we found fish rising everywhere but the wind picked up just as I finished setting up my rod. I cast for a while and had a few rise to the line, but no luck. After a small snack we continued south from the lake, climbing up the small drainage. We made our way to the middle Lewis Lake and then up to a small saddle that lead us to the shoulder of Granite Dome.
We dropped packs and continued up the shoulder to the peak of Granite Dome. The top of the mountain is a large rolling space with a mix of weathered granite, decomposed granite, and volcanic sand. We bagged the peak easily. Coming back down the shoulder I took huge bounding steps across the large sandy false summit—the ground absorbed the shock of my steps and I felt like a kid for a few moments as I flew down the hill.
After grabbing our packs, we climbed down to upper Lewis Lake, found a route around the north shore and headed to Iceland Lake. Along the way we passed Sardella Lake. At Iceland Lake we camped at a spot I found years ago that sits on a granite shelf above the lake with easy access to a great sunset view.
The next morning we followed the drainage from Iceland Lake and headed northwest down the slab to Lower Relief Valley. After making our way around the valley, we found the trail and headed downhill. Near the confluence of Relief Creek and Summit Creek we bid farewell to one of our party and the remaining three found another granite bench to camp at. I broke out the rod and fished both creeks. The fishing was great! While most of the fish were in the 6-8" range, it was almost impossible to go three casts without hooking one. I worked the pools down the creek and managed to land a 10" rainbow in addition to many small brookies and goldens. It was ridiculously fun.
After one last night we headed back to Kennedy Meadows and reality. For a trip planned in less that 24 hours we had a great time—maybe one of my best trips ever. I wolfed down a pizza at Pie in the Sky.
Overview
The mosquitoes were not that bad, but I did get a few bites. We did use head nets a bit on the third night, but anywhere with exposure was clear with the lightest breeze. As you would imagine, snow is not an issue at all. I used one small snow field to climb on the way around Lewis Lakes—it was solid but soft in the sun and easy to climb. We saw two other groups out there, one the first night at Summit Creek and other on the third night near Relief Creek. We also saw one solo hiker from a distance at Upper Lewis Lake.
Edit: Forgot to add that we had a Bald Eagle flyby the second night at Iceland Lake.
I and another of my group left the trail head at 3:30 pm and made quick work of the dusty trail. We saw a few day hikers heading down for the afternoon, but no other hikers or horse packers heading up. We reached Summit Creek in about 3.5 hours and found another of our party already there. 30 minutes later our fourth member joined us. We all took a quick dip in the creek and found a great campsite on a granite cliff overlooking the creek. The bugs were a small nuisance near the water, but gone with the slightest bit of wind.
Next morning we headed up the outlet from Lewis Lakes, taking our time to pump some water and enjoy the beautiful creek. At lower Lewis Lake we found fish rising everywhere but the wind picked up just as I finished setting up my rod. I cast for a while and had a few rise to the line, but no luck. After a small snack we continued south from the lake, climbing up the small drainage. We made our way to the middle Lewis Lake and then up to a small saddle that lead us to the shoulder of Granite Dome.
We dropped packs and continued up the shoulder to the peak of Granite Dome. The top of the mountain is a large rolling space with a mix of weathered granite, decomposed granite, and volcanic sand. We bagged the peak easily. Coming back down the shoulder I took huge bounding steps across the large sandy false summit—the ground absorbed the shock of my steps and I felt like a kid for a few moments as I flew down the hill.
After grabbing our packs, we climbed down to upper Lewis Lake, found a route around the north shore and headed to Iceland Lake. Along the way we passed Sardella Lake. At Iceland Lake we camped at a spot I found years ago that sits on a granite shelf above the lake with easy access to a great sunset view.
The next morning we followed the drainage from Iceland Lake and headed northwest down the slab to Lower Relief Valley. After making our way around the valley, we found the trail and headed downhill. Near the confluence of Relief Creek and Summit Creek we bid farewell to one of our party and the remaining three found another granite bench to camp at. I broke out the rod and fished both creeks. The fishing was great! While most of the fish were in the 6-8" range, it was almost impossible to go three casts without hooking one. I worked the pools down the creek and managed to land a 10" rainbow in addition to many small brookies and goldens. It was ridiculously fun.
After one last night we headed back to Kennedy Meadows and reality. For a trip planned in less that 24 hours we had a great time—maybe one of my best trips ever. I wolfed down a pizza at Pie in the Sky.
Overview
The mosquitoes were not that bad, but I did get a few bites. We did use head nets a bit on the third night, but anywhere with exposure was clear with the lightest breeze. As you would imagine, snow is not an issue at all. I used one small snow field to climb on the way around Lewis Lakes—it was solid but soft in the sun and easy to climb. We saw two other groups out there, one the first night at Summit Creek and other on the third night near Relief Creek. We also saw one solo hiker from a distance at Upper Lewis Lake.
Edit: Forgot to add that we had a Bald Eagle flyby the second night at Iceland Lake.