Humboldt- Toiyabe National Forest – Emma Lake is a short moderate hike trail located between Walker Ca and Bridgeport California in the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. Trail is Horseback, and dog friendly.
Our first visit to Emma lake took place in the Fall of 2020 during Covid. It was a great location to select, because it was unlikely to have a lot of people exploring on a weekend near Bridgeport. My hiking buddy Tom and I arrived at the trailhead early and found that trail empty as we climbed to the lake for a great fall hike.
A Short Hike from the trail head of approx. an hour to the lake as you climb roughly 700 feet. Emma lake sits at the base of Emma Peak. Vista Views are plentiful to the North East of the lake and the trail is mostly forested up to the lake before it opens in more of a baron desert landscape.
The Lake is know for being a friendly fishing hole for locals and with cross country access to Hoover Wilderness this is seems like a great trail for Wilderness exploration off trail of you are a backpacker.
Emma Lake sits at 9’314 feet
Camping Options in this area include Obsidian Campground down in the Canyon or multiple dispersed camping areas as you climb the hill pass Obsidian Campground.
Obsidian Campground offers opportunity to get away from crowds amidst shade of aspens and pines. Campground is close to Molybdenite Creek and Little Walker River. The river is stocked with trout.
Area trailheads offer several interesting hikes. The trail from Molybdenite Creek trailhead splits, with one branch heading south into the Hoover Wilderness, and one looping north along Wheeler Creek to connect with the trail along the Little Walker River. This can be hiked as a loop from Burt Canyon trailhead (just west of campground). The Emma Lake trailhead leads to a short but steep hike to Emma Lake on the shores of Mount Emma.
Generally open in late May to mid October, weather and condition permitting.
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