R06 TR: Big Lake, Cherry Creek in Emigrant Wilderness (6/4-6/7 2021)

[BardoPond]

This was our first Sierra outing of the year. After hearing the first reports of creeks being crossable, we decided to head out to the white granite expanse north of Cherry Creek. We encountered a few parties on the main loop, but were alone for most of the trip. Mosquitoes were already out but not too much of a nuisance where we chose to camp (one couple we met turned back after one night at Piute Lake). Lots of deadfall both on and off trail, making navigation a bit slow.

Day 1: Crabtree Trailhead to Big Lake via Pine Valley Trail, Rosasco Lake, Pingree Lake
This promised to be a brutal first day. We forded West Fork Cherry Creek just before lunch, and made it to Big Lake with plenty of daylight to get a great campsite with views of the canyon, the lake, and surrounding peaks.

West Fork Cherry Creek

Pingree Lake

Big Lake

Day 2: day hikes to Cherry Creek Canyon and Yellowhammer Camp
In the morning we descended to Cherry Creek via Wandering Daisy's Oasis (we should make the name official). We went up and down the canyon to check out the creek from multiple spots. I'm no expert on this but it still seemed a bit too fast for a safe crossing. In the afternoon we did a leisurely hike to Yellowhammer Camp, followed by a swim back at Big Lake.

Cherry Creek

Yellowhammer Camp

Day 3: Big Lake to Camp Lake via Crabtree Trail
We took the more common route back from Big Lake to Buck Meadow Creek. I actually really enjoyed this route, as it goes by another peaceful "oasis" surrounded by granite domes. One could actually take an easy shortcut between here and Cherry Canyon or the SW end of Big Lake. Crabtree Trail was the only one that looked maintained, so we moved pretty fast. Seeing as most spots looked relatively uninteresting and buggy, we continued until we found a location we liked. This turned out to be Camp Lake, just a couple miles from the trailhead. The campsites are high above the lake and quite spacious. We made the only campfire of the trip and had a very pleasant, mosquito-free last night.

Camp Lake campsite

Day 4: Camp Lake to Crabtree Trailhead
A stroll back to the car after a refreshing sleep.

[balzaccom]

Great stuff. That granite on the way to Big Lake is simply amazing, isn't it?

And I an impressed that you made it from the trailhead to Big Lake in one day. thanks for the report---and the lovely photos.

[kpeter]

Love to see it! We overlapped a couple of days, almost surprised we did not see you at W Fork Cherry Creek.

How did you like the blowdowns on the lower trail?

[Harlen]

Great trip to a great place. I love that night shot with the bright yellow tent! Thanks.

[MountainMinstrel]

Great stuff. That granite on the way to Big Lake is simply amazing, isn't it?

And I an impressed that you made it from the trailhead to Big Lake in one day. thanks for the report---and the lovely photos.

Love that granite... it's actually beyond amazing.

And for sure that first day had to of been painful.

[BardoPond]

Yes, the granite was the big draw and it didn't disappoint. I hope to go back and explore more of it (e.g. Hyatt Lake, Boundary Lake).

Love to see it! We overlapped a couple of days, almost surprised we did not see you at W Fork Cherry Creek.

How did you like the blowdowns on the lower trail?

You get out there a lot!
What was your route?
We only saw one fisherman (and likely HST user) with his dog the second night at Big Lake. Maybe some of the footsteps I followed on the way back were yours.

The lower trail was ok being fresh on the first day, but I definitely wasn't going back the same way...

[kpeter]

Yes, the granite was the big draw and it didn't disappoint. I hope to go back and explore more of it (e.g. Hyatt Lake, Boundary Lake).

Love to see it! We overlapped a couple of days, almost surprised we did not see you at W Fork Cherry Creek.

How did you like the blowdowns on the lower trail?

You get out there a lot!
What was your route?
We only saw one fisherman (and likely HST user) with his dog the second night at Big Lake. Maybe some of the footsteps I followed on the way back were yours.

The lower trail was ok being fresh on the first day, but I definitely wasn't going back the same way...

I did a very short trip to introduce a friend and his son to backpacking--we went in just as far as the W Fork crossing and played around the creek for a day. On Sunday they had just cut out the trail as far as Grouse Lake but it was pretty hellish after that for a ways. We came out on the High Trail and much better.

[MountainMinstrel]

Yes, the granite was the big draw and it didn't disappoint. I hope to go back and explore more of it (e.g. Hyatt Lake, Boundary Lake).

Love to see it! We overlapped a couple of days, almost surprised we did not see you at W Fork Cherry Creek.

How did you like the blowdowns on the lower trail?

You get out there a lot!
What was your route?
We only saw one fisherman (and likely HST user) with his dog the second night at Big Lake. Maybe some of the footsteps I followed on the way back were yours.

The lower trail was ok being fresh on the first day, but I definitely wasn't going back the same way...

Just to wet your whistle...Hyatt Lake...

[murphtron]

Hey @bardopond what was your route on Day3 when you left Big Lake?

[BardoPond]

I went the straightforward way, up the slabs north-west of the lake and then north to connect with the Crabtree Trail. I remember particularly enjoying this part of the hike. Very beautiful and serene.