High Sierra Topix

Hi everyone. I'm looking for any input on what the North Fork of Cherry Creek looks like in the mid to late fall.

In a few weeks a good friend and I will be meeting in the Emigrant Wilderness. I'd like to plan a seasonally novel (to me) entry and exit to our spot and would enjoy using the North Fork of Cherry creek as a conduit. That said, I'm unsure of the water this time of year. Specifically between Lord Meadow and Cow meadow.

Is it moving? Pooling? Is there any water at all or just dry beds and falls?

As an aside, does Cherry Creek in Oct/Nov typically flow at all above Cherry Lake (below Lords Meadow)?

These places in the spring and summer are all I know of them.

I'd Appreciate any advice.

Although outdated, the Schifrin Emigrant Wilderness guidebook has a good description of descending Cheery Creek from Lord Meadow (pages 158-161). He recommends doing it in the fall. The creek does not totally dry up but there could be some dry sections. It still sounds like a pretty rough route. He calls it "without a doubt, the finest trek within the bounds of Emigrant Wilderness". and "frequent rock scrambling and taxing route finding". Low water is recommended for safety, high water for the "intrepid few" an "unforgettable experience". From what I read it needs good weather and would not be safe in rain regardless of water levels, because of all the water polished slick rock. I think November would be too late. Any ice on the route would make it unsafe.

I bet you can find some trip reports on the internet.

What are your dates and which trailhead are you going to use? Do you have an approximate route you will share?

Cherry Creek Canyon between Lords Meadow and Cow Meadow is beautiful and not too hard to navigate. Totally worth the trip. Lords Meadow itself is an overgrown maze and not fun. Once you get upstream it's awesome.

I'm unsure if the creek will be running. Try calling the Summit Ranger Station. They should be a good source for the latest info.

Take into account the short days that time of year and bring extra layers. I'd also research deer hunting season in the area. Depending on your dates within a couple miles of the trailheads you might run into hunters. Wear some blaze orange clothing/hat.

mschnaidt wrote: ↑Thu Oct 10, 2024 11:10 am Cherry Creek Canyon between Lords Meadow and Cow Meadow is beautiful and not too hard to navigate. Totally worth the trip. Lords Meadow itself is an overgrown maze and not fun. Once you get upstream it's awesome.

Great to hear! Thank you!

mschnaidt wrote: ↑Thu Oct 10, 2024 11:10 am What are your dates and which trailhead are you going to use? Do you have an approximate route you will share?

This whole thing is still TBD. Right now I'm just trying to put something interesting together as a new-to-me approach to the Yellowhammer/ Five Acre / Big / Pinagree area. This will be the last week October or first of November. I’m considering Box Springs TH (because I've never used it) to Pine Valley, but am currently leaning towards Shingle Springs TH to Styx Pass. I'd either come at the N Fork from Cow Meadow and go down or from Lords Meadow and go up.

From there I’ll likely cross over the western ridge at some point and drop into Yellowhammer or Five Acre Lakes.

mschnaidt wrote: ↑Thu Oct 10, 2024 11:10 am I'm unsure if the creek will be running. Try calling the Summit Ranger Station. They should be a good source for the latest info.

A few weeks ago, the West Fork was totally dry going into Louse Canyon. From what you’re saying, I’d guess the North Fork won’t be running either despite being fed by Emigrant Lake (and then Cow Meadow Lake)

I’ll give the rangers a call, but the good folks at Summit Station seem to be heavily reliant on trip reports for specifics and not many people come back to tell them what the creek looks like below Cow Meadow Lake. The reports on this forum have been a more reliable resource for me than the rangers.

mschnaidt wrote: ↑Thu Oct 10, 2024 11:10 am
Take into account the short days that time of year and bring extra layers. I'd also research deer hunting season in the area. Depending on your dates within a couple miles of the trailheads you might run into hunters. Wear some blaze orange clothing/hat.

My blaze orange game is strong! I was surprised how little activity I saw on the deer season opener this year. Hunters were busy getting about the roads leading to Crabtree, but no sign of them after the parking lot. None the less, I will hard to mistake for an ungulate.

Wandering Daisy wrote: ↑Thu Oct 10, 2024 7:42 am Although outdated, the Schifrin Emigrant Wilderness guidebook has a good description of descending Cheery Creek from Lord Meadow (pages 158-161). He recommends doing it in the fall….He calls it "without a doubt, the finest trek within the bounds of Emigrant Wilderness”…
…I bet you can find some trip reports on the internet.

I’ve walked most of the canyon between Lords Meadow and Cherry Lake. Only in the late spring though. Absolutely lovely. Oddly enough, the most challenging parts did not involve water. Schifrin’s guide was inspiring and helpful for getting through the canyon, but the reports on this forum were also crucial. Schifrin’s descriptions leave a lot for the reader to discover on their own. The downside is that it’s sometimes hard to tell what you’re getting into. I think he undersold the difficulty of that route.

Have you ever used the Bourland Meadows Trailhead? There is a faint use trail that drops into the West fork of Cherry Creek. From there it's an interesting cross country trek up to Hyatt. It can be done in a day and will minimize your water concern.

If you want to drop into the North Fork of Cherry and avoid Lord Meadow I've done a route from the East side of Yellowhammer through the gap just South of 8181. It gives you plenty of creek/canyon terrain and gets you back to the trail system at Cow Meadow. Unsure of water in the creek though. You might have to push all the way to Cow Meadow. The same route would work going the other direction if you do Styx Pass.

If you are thinking of using Box Springs TH to avoid the Crabtree grind there is a nice alternative from the Pine Valley Horse Camp. Less elevation gain/loss and nice views of Bell Meadow from the ridge. There is a parking area before you get to the horse camp. If you look on the forest service map there is a little round symbol next to the number 29. There is a use trail from the parking area that meets the main trail before the Bell Creek crossing. The Forest Service uses it a lot. It's great to use during high season when the Crabtree parking lot is full.

If we get lucky and get some precip before your trip there might be some flow in Cherry.

mschnaidt wrote: ↑Fri Oct 11, 2024 9:19 am If you are thinking of using Box Springs TH to avoid the Crabtree grind there is a nice alternative from the Pine Valley Horse Camp…

Nice! That is a great bit of advice. I’m not sure I’ll use that entry right now, but you better believe I will in the future. I’m ready to give that “Crabtree grind,” as you’ve appropriately called it, a rest. At least as a way to Pine Valley.

mschnaidt wrote: ↑Fri Oct 11, 2024 9:19 am Have you ever used the Bourland Meadows Trailhead? There is a faint use trail that drops into the West fork of Cherry Creek. From there it's an interesting cross country trek up to Hyatt. It can be done in a day and will minimize your water concern.

I like Bourland Meadows TH for getting to the W Fork when there’s more water, but have never driven further up the road to Box Springs TH. Reports about the route to Grouse Lake via Chain Lakes have left me curious. It’s an itch that will probably get scratched only once considering how difficult the road up there is on my little car. I’ll try in the fall some year. 3N16 is presumably easier to navigate after being driven on all season.

I’ve hiked Hyatt from Bourland TH, but the Bourland TH trips I’d really like to try are walking the West Fork all the way up to Louse Canyon or down to Cherry Creek where it ends just up from a very nice pool. It’s a big rafting camp spot in spring, but empty from July on. Are you familiar with it?

Tangent, but there were both wild fires and prescribed burns near Bourland Meadow last fall and they were presumably using 3N16 for access and staging, perhaps the crews graded that road a bit better. Either intentionally or from just riding on it a bunch with heavy trucks.

mschnaidt wrote: ↑Fri Oct 11, 2024 9:19 am If you want to drop into the North Fork of Cherry and avoid Lord Meadow I’ve done a route from the East side of Yellowhammer….

I saw you reference this once before and took note. Your description matches what Schifrin describes as “a prominent ramp” and a way to avoid a more technical approach. It’s in the front of my mind for this fall. Earlier this season I spied it from the ridge south of Kole Lake. Bad photo attached. Blue is YH, red is the ramp/your path, and orange is Gillet. Look about right?

Thanks for the ideas and tips.

I dropped down to Cherry Creek for a look. Pic below is what it looks like looking up to the SE from where the Big Lake drainage hits the canyon. Nothing is flowing but any of the pooling on the map is actually still there. Same goes for the West Fork. Baring ice, I don't think the North Fork will present any issues. Enough water to drink, but nothing to prevent just waking the creek bed.

@mschnaidt, thanks for the TH advice. It was definitely less arduous .

Thank you for reporting the conditions.

Hi Shleppy,
I walked from Shingle Spring TH to Lord Meadow, through Cherry Creek, just last week. There was no surface water flow but plenty of clean pools for drinking or fishing. I am certain there is no flow in the north fork and most likely some pools. With expected rain tomorrow, your mileage may vary.
From Lord, I went up Styx Pass to Boundry and then out Kibbie ridge back to the TH. I did not enter the north fork. Kibbie Ridge trail is a major bush wack with some very thorny brush.

swimjam wrote: ↑Fri Oct 25, 2024 10:09 pm Hi Shleppy,
I walked from Shingle Spring TH to Lord Meadow, through Cherry Creek, just last week. There was no surface water flow but plenty of clean pools for drinking or fishing. I am certain there is no flow in the north fork and most likely some pools. With expected rain tomorrow, your mileage may vary.
From Lord, I went up Styx Pass to Boundry and then out Kibbie ridge back to the TH. I did not enter the north fork. Kibbie Ridge trail is a major bush wack with some very thorny brush.

Thank you. I will be going up next weekend (Vets Day), but may be changing things up. My friend has decided to hang up his backpack for the season and the coming snow/ice may push me somewhere else. Bummer to hear that Kibbie Ridge has fallen into disuse. I've hit it in good years after some maintenance, but sounds like this wont be one of them.