Trip ideas around Emigrant with kids, 3-4 nights

[balzaccom]

I would agree that this region gets busy on the holidays. I remember going in one year on the last day of the 4th of July weekend, and we saw more than a hundred people on the trail. However, we saw fewer than a dozen for the rest of our five day trip...and all of them were within five miles of the trailhead.

[adam]

Again, thanks for the input. We'll be starting on a monday, so I hope it won't be insanely crowded, but I don't have any illusions of solitude either.

TehipiteTom, what is the route to Leopold? I think that would make an excellent day hike.

thanks again,
adam

[looks easy from here]

The last quarter mile to Box Springs is about the limit of my CRV. I wouldn't want to take anything with less clearance and a longer wheelbase out there. It's also a very short hike to the lakes (maybe 2 hours with kids that age?; I took a 3 yo backpacking there and it was perfect for him), and then you're on sort of an "island", seperated from the rest of Emigrant by swamps, canyons and impassable rivers.

[balzaccom]

Leopold is fairly easy cross country. You follow the trail to Toejam...and then just stay on top of the ridge heading SSW...

Not sure xc is a great idea with little kids, but you know yours

[TehipiteTom]

TehipiteTom, what is the route to Leopold? I think that would make an excellent day hike.

thanks again,
adam

It's been 8 years so I don't remember it all that clearly, but I recall it being fairly straightforward cross-country. I think I went down the drainage southeast of the lake to Tom's Canyon; my recollection is that it was fairly easy, a series of short drops with little flats in between. From there you angle up the slabs ESE, avoiding the steep stuff. Here's a pic from fairly near the top, which gives a pretty good idea of the terrain:


Here's Leopold Lake:


From a low rise east of Leopold you get great views into the West Fork Cherry Creek country:

[adam]

Thanks so much- I'm excited to go, too bad I still have a couple months to wait!

[randydarden]

I just did a cross-country morning from Granite Lake to Leopold Lake the morning of Sept 1, 2024 and had a great time (solo). A bit steep at spots, and hot work climbing up the granite to Leopold but worth it to get away from the Labor Day crowds. I would feel confident bring my 12-year-old child on this, but not my 8-year-old (too many big steps up that would be > half his height!)

Saw zero people at Leopold at noon; it might have filled in that night with campers but I suspect the off-trail hike from Toejam to Leopold keeps the numbers down.

On the day I did this, however, there was no water in Piute Creek so I had to carry all the water I needed between the lakes.

[Harlen]

adam wrote: Hi,

We will be two families, each with 9 and 12 year old kids. Adults experienced in Sierra including XC, kids have backpacked before.
We're looking around Emigrant because it's new to us and a decent drive coming from oakland and truckee.

Our goals are to keep distances down, lots of time hanging around lakes (or rivers) swimming and goofing around. We'll be starting July 11, out for 3 or 4 nights, with potential exploration from a base camp, especially if we do 4 nights.

Hello adam, your trip planning for the Emigrant brought out some great ideas; we wonder how your trip went? Hope that you and the kids had a great time. The Harlens.