Hiking to Tuolumne Meadows in Yosemite on the TYT route out of the Emigrant Wilderness in the Stanislaus National Forest is ideal backpacking. The PCT route South of Sonora Pass to the trail junction above Kennedy Canyon and Kennedy Lake follows the boundary line between the Stanislaus and Toiyabe National Forest along the crest line of the Leavitt Massif. Maps, Miles, Scope of the Stanislaus Trails radiate out from the High Emigrant Basin to all major compass points. You will need a Wilderness Permits for the hike which can be picked up at the Summit Ranger Station near Pinecrest or the Bridgeport Ranger Station in Bridgeport. and Well, not necessarily. The trail junction up to Bond Pass sits about a mile South of Dorothy Lake Pass at the top of Jack Main Canyon. The plan is to hike out on the PCT and loop back on the TYT, or visa-versa. I strongly suggest that you break off from the TYT to connect up with the PCT at Wolf Creek Pass if you are hiking the TYT Southbound out of Lake Alpine. However, I quickly realized they were right and we were blown away by epic lakes, lush meadows, snow lined peaks, and endless wilderness areas to explore. Campfires are prohibited in the Emigrant Wilderness above 9000 feet and within one-half mile of Emigrant Lake to protect sensitive whitebark pine forests and to allow recovery of areas historically depleted of firewood. A Wilderness Permit is required for overnight visits to the Emigrant, Carson-Iceberg, and Mokelumne Wildernesses from April 1 through November 30. Or first hike the classic routes of each trail, then start weaving them together. South out of the Lake Tahoe Basin on the Tahoe to Yosemite. To the Southwest trails lead down the Western flank of the Sierra towards Pinecrest Lake far down mountain near Highway 108. Easily. To access the amazing High Sierra Hiking trails within the Stanislaus National Forest for short or medium distance backpacking trips you should divide the Stanislaus National Forest by Highway Access. Emigrant Wilderness If you are section-hiking the Tahoe to Yosemite Trail Southbound between Carson Pass on Highway 88 and Lake Alpine on Highway 4 you will obtain your permit from the Amador Ranger District of the El Dorado National Forest. ), Saint Marys Pass to Yosemite Boundary: The TYT, Stanislaus NF, Emigrant Wilderness. Or we can hitch 15 miles East from Lake Alpine up Highway 4 to continue our hike along the PCT from Ebbetts Pass. Only the leader or alternate specified in the reservation may pick up or use the permit. The following is a list of gear necessary for Emigrant Wilderness that may not be required on other trips. This is our Southbound gateway into either the Stanislaus National Forest if we hike Southwest on the TYT, or the Toiyabe National Forest if we hike Southeast on the PCT. Though not a wilderness area, the Toiyabe NF South of Highway 108 stretches down around the Eastern boundary of the Emigrant Wilderness, continuing Southeast to wrap around the Northeastern boundary of the Yosemite backcountry. PERMIT INFORMATION, Emigrant, Carson Iceberg, and Mokelumne Wilderness Areas, The Key Points Wrapping Northeast Yosemite During these 68 miles we crossed the Western sections of the Mokelumne and Carson Iceberg Wilderness, and hiked across the heart of the Emigrant Wilderness. (December through mid-January) M-F: 8:00am to 4:30pm (closed holidays). PCT Emigrant Wilderness from Stanislaus National Forest Map. Campfires are prohibited in the Mokelumne Wilderness above 8000 feet and within ¼ mile of the high water line (3949 feet) at Salt Springs Reservoir. One permit is required per trip per group. Is it worth it? Highway 108 Carson Iceberg Wilderness Map, Highway 4 To ensure this solitude, quotas and permits limit the number of visitors allowed … Leavitt Peak Buck: I suspect that this Big Boy was at 11,000 feet to stay above the hunters. If you are section-hiking the TYT Northbound between Lake Alpine on Highway 4 to Carson Pass on Highway 88 or South to Highway 108, you will obtain your permit from the Calavaras Ranger District of the Stanislaus National Forest. Emigrant Wilderness is easily accessible from both Northern and Southern California; just a 3.5 hour drive from the Bay Area or 6.5 hours from Los Angeles. Wilderness Permits. Mokelumne Wilderness Information, Trail Guide Index Tahoe to Yosemite Trail Backpacker My second way-cool alternative route is to cut off of the Pacific Crest Trail route at Wolf Creek Pass in the Carson Iceberg Wilderness to hike down to an optional PCT resupply, and a mandatory big fresh meal at Lake Alpine Lodge via Highland Creek and the Tahoe to Yosemite Trail route. I've woven various sweet routes through and around the Stanislaus along my Lake Tahoe to Mount Whitney hikes over the years, and come back repeatedly to tie them together into big loops around the higher elevation elements of both the Carson Iceberg and Emigrant Wilderness Areas. to If you want to start one of these loops out of an East Sierra trailhead you will draw your permit from the proper Ranger District out of the Toiyabe National Forest. The TYT route is much quieter... On the third hand, the Tahoe to Yosemite backpacker is deprived of the experience of hiking through the Toiyabe National Forest, especially the East Fork of the Carson River. Check out this map of the PCT South of Sonora Pass that depicts the Heart of the High Emigrant Basin. Bear canisters are required and dogs, even on leash, are not allowed on trails. It takes that long just to begin to adjust to the rigors and rewards of backcountry life, dust off your natural perspectives, and then cover enough territory to get a feel for the depth, as well as the length and breadth of the beauty in and around you. I have had the pleasure of talking to Dave, Dianne, and Shannon at the Calavaras Ranger Station about permit and trail condition issues. Trail Culture '' pages that depict this route variation adds about 11 miles to your.. And have could n't have the same attitude I find great folks manning the.... 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