I just returned from a backpacking trip this weekend with Joey, Keith and Deks (3/4 of the everest base camp crew) in the Emigrant Wilderness, which is in the Stanislaus National Forest & lies on Northern Border of Yosemite.
Trip summary:
- Oct 19-21, 2012 (3 days, 2 nights)
- 23 mile loop from Crabtree Trailhead
- Temperatures: 65-75 degrees F Day, 35-40 degrees F Night
Overall, the trails were well marked and fairly secluded. We prob saw ~6 other small groups of campers/dayhikers throughout the entire trek.
The highlight of the trip was setting camp at the spectacularly beautiful Deer lake, topped off by catching a rainbow trout in its ice cold waters.
It was an amazing trip, and the best thing about it… we didn’t see a single mosquito!
Setting up our campsite at Chewing gum lake.
Joey trying out his new jet-boil system.
Keith enjoying a meal by the fire.
Today’s menu: freeze-dried lasagne with meat sauce
The overnight temperatures reached just below freezing, causing our bags to frost over.
Deks and I preparing breakfast before we hit the road on the long hike ahead.
Starting out on the morning trail passing Meadow lake.
Deks surveying the wilderness. Elevation 8750 ft.
Lake Valley
Following the markers along the trail.
Day 2 camp destination: Deer Lake
Elevation 8461 ft. ~8 miles from chewing gum lake.
The rainbow trout were biting! Deks shows off his catch of the day.
Roasting a fish for dinner! Well, maybe it was more of an appetizer…
Our real dinner. More freeze-dried dinner packs, including a raspberry crumble dessert!
Sunrise at Deer lake.
Refilling our containers with purified water for the long hike ahead.
The riverbeds were all pretty dry this time of year. Good thing we filled up with water earlier.
Hiking along the mountain side.
Jewelry lake, elevation 8399 ft
East of Piute Meadow. Elevation ~8000 ft.
Keith taking a water break at the top of the summit.
Lily pad lake
No camping here… move along buddy…
Camp Lake, elevation 7630 ft. Only 2.6 miles left to go to reach Crabtree.
Finally made it back to Crabtree! It was a long, but definitely rewarding 3-day journey.
Starting the long drive home. At this point, all we wanted to do was eat a nice thick and juicy steak.
However, we were disappointed to find out that the nearby restaurant we had originally planned to go to was closed.
Plan B. An hour and a half later, we were at Cattlemens restaurant in Livermore enjoying a bone-in rib eye!
Our legs were tired, our feet were blistered, and our bellys were full.
Mission accomplished!