The double river crossing All trails suggested didn't seem ideal so I crossed right after the fork here (N38.235029 W119.722289. Gorgeous mountain views. Learn about this colorful Texan at the Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park. While this is not a terribly scenic hike, the trees, creek, and terrain are very beautiful, and the entire area is quiet and peaceful. To the north you can see the lakes directly below the ridge and further down to Relief Reservoir. Morning is my favorite time backpacking, the smell of coffee brewing and the warm cup heating cold hands, the darkness of night fading through deep blue, then orange and yellow, the heat of the first rays of sun as it crests the surrounding mountains, and the anticipation of the day ahead. ft. house located at 22800 Granite Dome, Canyon Lake, CA 92587 sold for $550,000 on Sep 26, 2016. (LogOut/ The following links provide additional information on local conditions. Emigrant Wilderness is in Stanislaus National Forest, North of Yosemite. Kennedy Meadows to Relief Reservoir Trail, Pacific Crest Trail: Sonora Pass to Latopie Lake, PCT: CA Section J - Sonora Pass to Echo Lake, Kennedy Meadows to Relief Reservoir Loop Trail, Disaster Creek Trail: Iceberg Meadow to Paradise Valley, PCT, Golden Canyon, Wolf Creek Pass, and Disaster Creek Loop, Relief Reservoir, Toejam Lake, Powell Lake. FIND YOUR WAY OUTSIDE is a trademark of AllTrails, LLC. adventures and follow local regulations. This is a . The elevation gain was not particularly kind to me. 269 Real Guest Reviews. Many national parks were founded for their geology, and Yosemite is known throughout the world for its exceptional high cliffs and rounded domes. Call the Summit ranger station at (209) 965-3434 near Pinecrest ahead of time and they will prepare a permit for you in advance. Turn left onto 468th Ave SE and follow it 0.6 miles to the junction with SE Middle Fork Road. 776 m. User Ratings Be the first to add a review! For decades, the region has attracted geologists, archeologists, and other natural scientists. third day all the way back to Kennedy meadows. A day hike up Granite Dome is a nice view. There are roughly 35 individually defined plutons in the Yosemite area. Note that the saddle to the north of the peak looks very similar when you are standing at the bottom. If you draw a line from that to the 7.4mi mark, thats a killer heading; 2. Granite Dome Loop via Kennedy Meadows. $8 July average high: 95 degrees. From the dam the trail follows around the reservoir, first dropping down to cross the Grouse Creek drainage, and then climbing up to a fork, one way leading up Relief Valley and the other towards Lunch Meadow. There you can shop, dine, visit museums and find outdoor activities. TL;DR Incredible route with gorgeous scenery, but with a creek crossing that becomes an impassable river crossing early in the season and should not be attempted until the flow slows significantly. The Summit Trail may close in wet weather. (1), Images On the way past Relief Reservoir I took a small detour to venture down to the dam itself. Looking forward to flowers in the meadows! The region is accessed via Kennedy Meadows off of the Sonora Pass Highway and includes a moderately steep trail to reach Relief Reservoir and beyond. No trails travel into this area making it a relatively infrequently visited spot where solitude and ample room for exploration can be found. No visit to the Emigrant Wilderness Area is complete without an ascent of Granite Dome. A free wilderness permit is required for overnight stays within the Emigrant Wilderness Area. To the south we saw an endless wilderness of lakes and peaks that we have yet to explore! 4.5 miles, out-and-back trailelevation gain: 1,000ft. Rock climbers must check in at park headquarters. Granite to Gold: Discover Things to Do (LogOut/ From this viewpoint, we traversed around the end of Upper Lewis Lake and continued to stunning Ridge Lake. The huge granite ridge climbs up behind, the north slope still blanketed in a layer of snow. The Big Bald Rock Trail takes you atop a broad granite dome in Plumas National Forest where you have wide-ranging views across the Northern Sierra Nevada. Lo. Wander through meadowlands, mixed pine forest, and granite gardens on your way to the picture-perfect lakes. then camped on the edge of ridge Lake second night. The primary objective in route finding on this terrain is to avoid steeper sections of granite that can become cliffs. - third day ~10 mi, back to the free parking lot. The average rectangular block has a face approximately 55 inches wide by 20 inches high . Many years later the re-sprouted limbs at the top have fully restored the canopy and the basal sprouts are now mature redwoods resulting in the extraordinary, hulking complex of redwood seen today. The dome consists of inner and outer structures. In fact, it has been speculated that this voluminous volcanism may have contributed to the mass extinction during the middle of the Cretaceous period during which most large marine dinosaurs (such as ichthyosaurs and plesiosaurs) perished. Day 2 - 11 miles. Granite Balconies. Unexpected as we had forecasts that showed clear and warming. Granite dominates the geology of Yosemite National Park. Being unattractive to the loggers turned out to be serendipitous as its one of the few giants remaining in this forest from its era. Plenty of water sources along the way. On July 8th, 2001, a US Navy helicopter crashed near the summit of Granite Dome on the cliffs above Ridge Lake while participating in a search and rescue operation. Free WiFi, free parking. Take the Huckleberry Trail towards Relief Resevoir, watching out for packs of horses and mules carrying gear for "Glampers" heading to Kennedy Lake. Experience this 33.8-mile loop trail near Pinecrest, California. 3 beds, 2 baths, 1687 sq. My first time visiting this region included a hike to the top of Granite Dome with excellent 360 degree views, especially down to the lakes below. The walk up is easy to navigate but its a straight walk up and the elevation gain was starting to take its toll on my energy level. This geologic process of weathering is called exfoliation, and it still continues through the park today. Iceland had some trout back then. Head SE towards the west side of Upper Lewis Lake and continue to follow the drainage above and on the SW side of Upper Lewis lake, towards the obvious "slot", which even late in the season can have snow in it. The granite that composes an individual pluton will have a relatively homogeneous texture and composition, displaying minor variations across its extent. Alternatively, free parking is available at the signed forest service "trailhead" parking lot, which is located about 3/4 mile from the trailhead. The Emigrant Wilderness of Stanislaus National Forest is a wilderness area in the Sierra Nevada.It is bordered by Yosemite National Park on the south, the Toiyabe National Forest and the Hoover Wilderness on the east, and State Route 108 over Sonora Pass on the north. Once the last glaciers retreated, granite domes became exposed to the elements. Enchanted Rock needs your help! The route is up a forested valley, over open granite slopes, through more woodland along the creek and into a flat area with various small ponds and lakes beneath 9,806 foot Polly Dome, from where a short hiker-made trail crosses to the shore of the main lake. Chewing Gum Lakes is located in Emigrant Wilderness, South of Lake Tahoe and North of Yosemite, with stunning valley views and gorgeous granite faces, peaking through the tree lines of the Stanislaus National Forest. ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. Your photos are amazing, great pics as always heres to hoping all this terrain gets blanketed in a thick snow drift this winter : ). Further south, Mts Dana, Lyell and Florence are visible in the Cathedral Range, as well as Haystack, Michie and Kendrick peaks. It was mostly dry in the morning but by afternoon it was wet and I had to carefully scoot across while keeping my feet sufficiently out of the water so the swift current would not pull me in! Granite Dome is most easily accessible from the Huckleberry Trail. The next section was a pretty straightforward walk to the base of the steep boulder section. Peaceful lake and wilderness surroundings. The region is characterized by ubiquitous ice polished granite carved into its present form by glaciers that blanketed this region over millennia. The resulting magma is less dense than material typically found at that depth, so it rises like oil in salad dressing. However, Middle Lewis Lake is perhaps the most dramatic with towering granite cliffs surrounding its shores like an amphitheater. There is usually some not too far from the summit all year round. It's an easy hike with a big payoff! At these depths, magma is insulated by the rocks around it and cools very slowly, growing large interlocking crystals. Main hint I wish somebody had written: The trailhead is a bit confusing - as you drive in towards Kennedy Meadow there is a trail head and parking lot on the left - but the trail then leaves the lot to drop back down to the road that you walk next to until you come to the Kennedy Meadow "Resort" - the trail leaves from the end of the resort and starts off as a dirt road which is used to transport horse trailers to the actual trail-head which is about a mile from Kennedy Meadows. Glad we were on horseback. This time, instead of going to Granite Dome I explored the Lewis Lakes basin with Erica. Granite Dome is the signature peak in the Emigrant Wilderness, with fantastic views north to the Carson-Iceberg Wilderness, east to the Hoover Wilderness (Sawtooth Ridge), and south to Yosemite including, on a clear day, Cathedral Peak and the Cathedral Range. I had been considering camping on the ridge but the wind was too strong so I instead headed back down to camp below the north ridge. An intriguing masterpiece! Theres been fantastic forest wildflowers under the canopy this year in the Santa Cruz Mountains #spottedatmidpen #santacruzmountains #recreateresponsibly #leavenotrace #westerntrillium #trilliumovatum #pacifictrillium, It appears winter is starting to loosen its grip on the Santa Cruz Mountains. On the north side we could see Relief Reservoir and each of the lakes below: Iceland, Ridge, Sardella, and Lewis. Do not take the trail towards Kennedy Lake! mark. tough day hiking up the granite and navigating around snow patches. The named lakes of the region include the Lewis Lakes (lower, middle, upper), Sardella Lake, Ridge Lake and Iceland Lake with a numerous other smaller tarns. Click the thumbnails to enlarge. I would recommend 4 days. But it's much less crowded than its neighbor to the South, offering more solitude for backpacking. Granite Dome Lakes. 5 days/4 nights 40 miles* (more on that below) Mosquitoes were awful (June), especially at Emigrant Lake. At the center is an ancient giant that was spared the axe because it was badly burned or deemed of little value because it was disfigured compared to its straight and tall neighbors. Just below that we see Upper and Lower Relief Valleys, with Relief Reservoir, Iceland Lake, Ridge Lake, Sardella Lake and the Lewis Lakes. Day 5 - 4 miles back to the car. The massive pink granite dome rising above Central Texas has drawn people for thousands of years. However and it frankly shocks me that no one at the ranger station warned me about this Summit Creek is a frothy, raging river at this time of year and completely uncrossable. Aim for the gap between the two peaks above you. This rock, once it cools, will become the type of granite that is exposed in Yosemite. Situated on the eastern edge of Emigrant Wilderness, Leavitt Lake is a great introduction to backpacking in the Sierra Nevada. The Summit Trail and elevated areas of the park may close during wet or inclement weather. If early in the season (or a heavy snow year like this year when snow will persist through much of summer) consider bringing ice and crampons as the slope to the ridge is moderately steep. Kennedy Meadows to Relief Reservoir Trail, Pacific Crest Trail: Sonora Pass to Latopie Lake, PCT: CA Section J - Sonora Pass to Echo Lake, Kennedy Meadows to Relief Reservoir Loop Trail, Disaster Creek Trail: Iceberg Meadow to Paradise Valley, PCT, Golden Canyon, Wolf Creek Pass, and Disaster Creek Loop, Relief Reservoir, Toejam Lake, Powell Lake. The road entrance is not mar Lower & Upper Relief Valleys and the East Flange Rock, Leavitt Lake in Stanislaus National Forest. We stayed: It is also the only granite dome in the United States. The direct route from Middle to Upper Lewis Lake contains some steep granite slabs that may prove too steep for many without rock gear or snow/ice gear in early season. It was very enjoyable even with the bushwacking. On my prior visit to this region I descended to Relief Meadows, and while numerous routes are feasible, they require micro-navigating and almost certainly take longer than continuing up the main trail past Saucer Meadow and back down to Summit Creek where you can cross the creek and find easier slabs into the Granite Balconies region. Similar to my first visit in 2012, I ascended to the top of Granite Dome which has great views of the Emigrant Wilderness and Northern Yosemite. MLS # RX-10882121 But theres more at Enchanted Rock State Natural Area than just the dome. There was one safe log over the creek in the vicinity I needed to cross. my first ever backpacking trip, made possible by hiking with two experienced friends. Don't leave pets unattended, including in vehicles and at campsites, and keep them on a leash no longer than six feet at all times. We took a look at a topo map before setting off . A prime example is the Cathedral Peak Granodiorite, which has unusually large (up to 3 inches long) crystals of potassium feldspar that are thought to have formed through episodic heating and cooling of the magma. Turn right and follow SE Middle Fork Road 2.1 miles, until reaching a fork. To protect this Natural Area, pets are only allowed in the designated day-use picnic areas, the campgrounds, and on the Loop Trail (pets are not allowed on any other trail). On both of my climbs I ascended directly to the ridge from Upper Lewis Lakes. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. We took a route southwest from our campsite, over a small hill and immediately came to a lush meadow. An intriguing masterpiece! Also ditto on staying low when crossing the boulder field, I wish I had remembered that comment someone made before. Gorgeous photos! https://www.fs.usda.gov/detailfull/stanislaus/specialplaces/?cid=stelprdb5361242&width=full, https://www.fs.usda.gov/detailfull/eldorado/specialplaces/?cid=fsbdev7_019058&width=full. TUOLUMNE MEADOWS AREA The trail proceeds slightly above and to the north of Summit Creek. Yosemites Iconic El Capitan Mapped in Hi-Res 3-D by Brian Clark Howard, 2013, National Geographic. 5 days / 4 nights, fantastic lakes + Sierra meadows, mosquitoes not too bad (early August after a dry winter). Nov 3, 2019 7 min read. It felt so good to be back on a trail again. You could say Dr. Sharon Mosher, dean of the Jackson School of . The Young Lakes Loop Trail is an awesome adventure in Yosemite National Park that delivers epic vistas of the granite bluffs and alpine lakes that adorn the landscape. We were bouldering, scrambling, slipping, etc, and it was very scary at moments. Kibbie Lake Trail. I'm guessing the creek dries up later in the summer, but this early in the season, it is, again, a raging river and you will not be able to cross. Camping at Emigrant Lake was incredible. Description. Overall, the views were spectacular. Its a quick and flat walk and passes a smaller unnamed lake on the way. We ended up circling the west side of the lake to rejoin the trailhead at the north side where the dam connects. I also saw multiple groups of horses and pack animals. From the top of the saddle, veer south and aim for the second saddle with a similarly gradual route in the middle. Many different types of terrain. The exterior of the building from grade to the top of the dome, is entirely clad in Bethel White granite. Keep this in mind and dont get discouraged. #redwoods #sanfraciscogiant #oldgrowth #recreateresponsibly #leavenotrace, Enjoying the spring warmth #spring #spottedatmidpen #recreateresponsibly #leavenotrace, Spring in the redwoods #redwoods #redwoodsorrel #redwoodviolet #westerntrillium #leavenotrace #recreateresponsibly, Sea to sky swipe panorama #ventanawilderness #leavenotrace, Western trillium (Trillium ovatum) started blooming in February per usual at this latitude but the persistent cool and wet weather has a resulted in an unusually strong second push in April! No trails travel into this area making it a relatively infrequently visited spot where solitude and ample room for exploration can be found. View more property details, sales history and Zestimate data on Zillow. We went during Memorial Day weekend expecting the trail to be mostly clear of snow, however there were parts where the trail disappeared under snow for miles. Did in 2 nights, tracked 40 miles, very difficult. All our fish were caught in the creek. Granite Dome Lakes. Navigating from the river to the first saddle on the granite is pretty steep. https://www.fs.usda.gov/detailfull/stanislaus/specialplaces/?cid=stelprdb5361242&width=full, https://www.fs.usda.gov/detailfull/eldorado/specialplaces/?cid=fsbdev7_019058&width=full. If you wish to use a grill, stove, or make a campfire, it is recommen Start: 3819'08.46"N 11939'49.26"W Elev 8879ftPark along Hwy 108, head down the bank and across the stream at the bottom. I walked from subpeak to subpeak, taking in Ridge Lake, Iceland Lake, Sardella Lake, Lewis Lakes, and smaller unnamed bodies of water. The The route leaves the Huckleberry Trail just above the fork between Summit Creek and Lewis Lakes Creek. The climbing season varys each year depending on how much snow the area receives during the winter months. The cost for a single family site is $20 per night and a double family site is $40 per night. This is a popular trail for backpacking, camping, and fishing, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. You have to find a flat spot somewhere above the trail, and those are hard to find. #dadadventures #spottedatmidpen #recreateresponsibly #leavenotrace, Ultra lush in the ancient Douglas Fir forest for a date run #spottedatmidpen #douglasfir #pseudotsugamenziesii #recreateresponsibly #leavenotrace, No shortage of giant trillium (Trillium chloropetalum) this year which are thriving in the moist conditions #gianttrillium #wildflowers #leavenotrace #recreateresponsibly #spottedatmidpen, #spottedatmidpen #recreateresponsibly #leavenotrace #deer, Late afternoon light on the green slopes #spottedatmidpen #recreateresponsibly #leavenotrace #santacruzmountains, Warriors plume fields #wildflowers #pedicularisdensiflora #leavenotrace #recreateresponsibly, Local friend #coyote #spottedatmidpen #recreateresponsibly #leavenotrace, Warm light on the layers #sunset #eveninglight #spottedatmidpen #recreateresponsibly #leavenotrace, Green season is especially vibrant this year #spottedatmidpen #santacruzmountains #leavenotrace #recreateresponsibly, The Stanford campus and Dish lines up nicely with Mount Diablo from this spot in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Good but hidden campsite near the west end of Emigrant Lake Side was mosquito-free. Have you done this adventure? Although the east side of the lake might appear to be accessible there is a large cliff and you cannot reach the west shore. It would also be amazing to see in the early season with frozen lakes. This is just over seven miles from Kennedy Meadows at an elevation of about 7300 feet. This is a popular trail for backpacking, camping, and hiking, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. It is an elongated area that extends northeast about 25 miles (40 km) in length and up to 15 miles (24 km) in width. Saint Helens and Mt. Kennedy Meadows Trailhead to Ridge Lake. This loop takes you through forests and alpine meadows to the top of Lembert Dome. A Wilderness Permit is required for all overnight trips to the Emigrant, Carson-Iceberg, and Mokelumne Wilderness Areas. In both 2012 and 2014 visits were in early June and most of the lakes were melted out. We hiked toward Buck Lake and ran into not only mosquitos but a May Fly hatch along the west end of Emmigrant Lake. The large lake appeared to be an infinity pool at the north end, dropping off to panoramic views of Relief Reservoir and the surrounding area. The Loop Trail is open for hiking until 10 p.m. So typically the most popular time to climb the mountain is from June through October. They can be reached at (209) 965-3434. Free. It also didnt help that I had turned my ankle on trail run in and was relegated to walking (carefully) the rest of the outing. Fredericksburg, TX Hard 4.5 (110) Yosemite National Park. Lembert Dome is one of the many granite domes in Yosemite. Youll save a heap of time cutting this corner. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. I have been eying a trip to the series of lakes that sit below Granite Dome for over a year and I took advantage of the weekend to get there. A wonderfully clear and calm post-storm evening #spottedatmidpen #stanford #eveninglight #recreateresponsibly #leavenotrace, 2014 Adventure Recap | Leor Pantilat's Adventures, Granite Dome & Lakes 2017 | Leor Pantilat's Adventures. January average low: 36 degrees. ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. Quick and flat walk and passes a smaller unnamed Lake on the edge of Emigrant Wilderness in... Huge granite ridge climbs up behind, the north you can see the lakes directly below the ridge further... Time to climb the Mountain is from June through October, the north slope still blanketed a. We could see Relief Reservoir route leaves the Huckleberry trail miles to the Wilderness... You are commenting using your WordPress.com account pretty steep 7300 feet Buck Lake ran! Log in: you are commenting using your WordPress.com account slipping,,. 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