Discover A Place Where Glacial History Left Behind Stunning Pools and Rugged Granite Landscape
With its eastern edge running along the spine of Sierra Nevada range, the Emigrant Wilderness encompasses a vast diversity within its borders. The area was first protected by the U.S. Forest Service as a “protected primitive area” in 1931, named after the historical mountain pass that follows the West Walker route over the Sierra. It was then designated as Wilderness in 1975, covering an area of 113,000 acres and featuring broad sheets of glaciated granite, peaks, and ridges of volcanic rock.
To the north and east one finds terrain dominated by lava-capped summits with fields of granite spanning for miles. In the western parts of the Emigrant, though still a granite and lava landscape, there are more lakes, meadows and patches of pine.
Trail Milage Chart for Emigrant Wilderness Main trails
Popular Destinations:
Trailhead: Kennedy Mdws
Elevation: 6,320’Relief Reservoir Jct. 2.8
Relief Reservoir 3.0
Grouse Creek 4.8
Relief Valley Trail 5.0
Saucer Meadow 6.0
Lower Relief Valley 7.0
Kennedy Lake 7.5
Sheep Camp 8.0
Sardella Lake 8.7
Ridge Lake 8.7
Iceland Lake 8.9
Upper Lewis Lake 8.9
Upper Relief Valley 9.5
Lunch Meadow 9.5
Brown Bear Pass 10.7
Whitesides Mdw 11.9
Grizzly Meadow 13.6
Emigrant Lake 14.7
Bond Pass 15.9
Horse Meadow 16.3
Huckleberry Lake 19.1
Burst Rock 20.1
Gianelli Trailhead 21.3
Emigrant Wilderness Adventures and Latest News
High Sierra Calling! Sonora Pass to Kennedy Meadows Now Open for Fishmas and Beyond!
Sonora Pass (West) - Attention outdoor enthusiasts! Get ready to cast your lines, lace up your boots, and breathe in...
Scenic Drives at Sonora Pass and Ebbetts Pass Re-open before Thanksgiving Weekend
Winter Passes Re-Opened to Traffic SONORA PASS (STATE ROUTE 108) | EBBETTS PASS (STATE ROUTE 4) TUOLUMNE COUNTY – The...
Sierra Scenic Byways are Open and Full Of Life
A Quick trip of Sonora Pass Provides Insight on Snow and Recreational Opportunities Summer 2023 Sonora Pass Ca. - June...
CALTRANS TO OPEN SR-108 AT KENNEDY MEADOWS
Crews Clear 20 Miles of Snowpack to Reach Recreation Area TUOLUMNE COUNTY – The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) District...
Caltrans District 10 Reopens State Route 89/Monitor Pass
Sonora Pass Closed For the Winter Alpine County Ca. - November 15, 2022 - The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans)...
Caltrans District 10 Closing Three Sierra Highways Ahead of
Snowstorm
STOCKTON – The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) District 10 is closing three of its mountain highways this week ahead...
Memorial Day Weekend Recreation Updates from Inyo National Forest
Mammoth Ca, May 27, 2022 - As you head into your three day weekend for Memorial Day, Inyo national Forest...
State Route 4/Ebbetts Pass, SR-108/Sonora Pass Will Open Thursday
Caltrans Will Open Ebbetts Pass and Sonora Pass on Thursday, May 12, 2022 ALPINE AND TUOLUMNE COUNTIES — Oh, that...
Backpacking Hyatt Lake in Emigrant Wilderness
Backpacking Hyatt Lake in Emigrant Wilderness Like much of the Sierra Nevada, the Emigrant Wilderness is a land of endless...
SIERRA MOUNTAIN PASSES OPEN AFTER STORM CLOSURE
STATE ROUTE 108/SONORA PASS & SR-4/EBBETTS PASS JOIN SR-89/MONITOR PASS STOCKTON – The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) opened StateRoute...
