Emigrant Lakes & Peaks

Interesting Facts & Highlights

No mention of name origin, but obviously the biggest lake in the area, close to Yellowhammer and Bill Leighton's base camp where he plotted the construction of 18 check dams.
Fishing: Rainbows if you can get out into the middle lake. No luck on our visit

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A bit of a climb to get to this lake anyway you approach it but we find that a cross-country drop from Bond Pass is the way to go. A lot of nice spots to camp and great climbing within easy reach. Commemorates Major John Bigelow and acting superintendent of Yosemite. The peak (not in the photo) was named first in 1912 and the lake in 1956. Packers claim that it was named after a skinny dipping lady of the night from Sonora 'Big Low'. I will leave that up to you.
Fishing- Rainbows

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Great views of Bigelow Peak with a nice quiet spot to camp and fish. Some excellent tucked away camp spots. Fishing- Rainbows

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At the crossroads of 2 main trails in a picturesque setting. Shallow lake with no visible fish population.

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Right below Black Hawk Mountain with sparse camp sites. If you want solitude, this is the spot. Fishing: Claimed to be Goldens but winter freeze and halting of stocking makes survivors unlikely

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A good example of volcanic covered granodiorite formations. The granodiorite was formed 80 million years ago during a continental uplift, with the volcanic flows from Relief Peak layering on top about 20 million years later. Some of the old granatic surface is starting to expose as the creeks in the area and year over year weather washes away the weaker volcanic sediments. Great day hike from H108. Fishing: Planted w/Golden's years ago but none now due to winter freeze

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Check dam sustained lake where you can see the remnants of a partially built cabin from a defunct Power Company. Camp sites are better uplake at Upper Buck. Hike the ridges above for some spectacular panoramas. Fishing: Rainbows

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In a series of lakes and marshes created by a check dam system pioneered by Fred Leighton. We noticed a bit more bear activity in this area vs the rest of the Emigrant. Be bear aware and use canisters and/or a smart hang. Fishing: Large Rainbows

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Heavy camping pressure, so please abide by posted signs and regulations. Fishing: Self sustaining population of colorful Rainbows

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An over popular destination best visited early or late season if you want a minimum of fellow guests. Plenty of hiking and exploring opportunities Fishing: Large Rainbows

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A quick walk from Emigrant Meadow Lake. Nice views of Molo Mountain and Kennedy Peak. Not a lot of cover and exposed for a camp spot. No fish due winter freeze

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Spectacular spot at the junction of three major passes- Brown Bear, Emigrant and Bond. Best spot for star gazing, perfect fly fishing terrain, easy access to peak climbing and lot of wildlife in the area. Be on the lookout for a Golden Eagle who cruises thru around 1000 and 1700 trying to catch the fat marmots running for cover. Last outing in 2012 we observed eagles, red-tailed hawks, crows and northern harriers. Fishing: Rainbows in the lake, Brookies in the outlet stream

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Check dam maintains water level year round with some campsites. Can be a quiet spot as most hikers choose Emigrant Meadow just up trail or Big Emigrant down trail. Fishing: Rainbows self-sustaining

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Lodgepole fringed with a penetrating deep cobalt color due to a respectable 44 foot depth. Fishing: Rainbows (self-sustaining)

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Beautiful isloated base camp for exploring. Fishing: Winter freeze

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Close to main trial, so camp at back end, Named for proximity to Grizzly Peak. Fishing: Was stocked at one time. Winter kill has most likely eliminated any presence

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At the end of a beautiful hanging valley. Easy access to Relief peak and great views from the ridge to the left and above of Granite Dome and surrounding areas. Decent camp sites around the dried up lake. Fishing: Planted with Brooks in 1952. No survivors.

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Along the popular Bell Meadow trail, it is an easy 5+ mile roundtrip for a quick warm up hike. It is popular and it has a 100ft perimeter camping restriction and a recommended 200ft for LNT and must be on the far side of the lake, away from the trail. Nice swim spot to cool down in the summer heat.

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One of the larger lakes, cross roads to Yosemite and a great base camp for exploring the area. Kennedy Meadows Pack Station most years maintains a summer camp with access to a satellite phone in case of an emergency. Fishing: Rainbows & Brooks

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Named for Edward Hyatt Jr, California state engineer who was part of a USGS field party in 1909. Deep lake with poor campsites on a use-trail from the split to PIngree Lake. View is from Pingree Dome above the lake.
Fishing: Planted at one time but with no spawning areas and the elimination of the program, highly unlikely any have survived.

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Best lake for camp sites below Granite Dome. Wonderful views of Lower Relief Valley and Relief Reservoir. At first was assigned as one of the Lewis Lakes but was changed in 1965 by BGN. Fishing: Golden, however none evident in 2003

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Cross country from Wood Lakes with a heavily wooded shore. Named for Karl Defiebre owner of a Pinecrest Hotel. Fishing: Relied on rainbow plantings no longer conducted

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Early season access for a great warm up hike. Visit off-season for quieter days. Named for the Kennedy brothers, Andrew and J.F., who claimed the surrounding area in various documents between 1886 and 1896. The 1883 GLO plat notes several references such as, 'Kennedy Meadows West', Kennedy's Lower Camp', Kennedy Bros. Upper Camp' and 'Kennedy Pass'. Fishing: Self-sustaining German Browns

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Cross country from Wood Lakes with a heavily wooded shore and no discernible camp sites. Named after Fred Leighton who master minded the 16 lakes in the Emigrant Basin that were created by check dams to sustain water year round. He also maintained a summer camp at Yellow hammer Lake. Fishing: Rainbows

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A gem of gems. Peaceful, rugged and gorgeous. Back end of the lake is a bit of a scramble to get to, but is one fantastic spot! Fishing: Rainbows & Brooks

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Lower lake of the Lewis chain. Greenest of three sisters with easy access off-trail. Good base camp for day trips up to Granite Dome and surrounding lakes. Named for Burt Lewis a USFS employee who died in WW1 by BGN decision in 1965. Fishing: Brooks

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Middle lake of the Lewis chain. Dramatic brooding granite cliffs with a few camp sites on the north end. Steep ascent from Lower Lewis, but worth the huff and puff. Named for Burt Lewis a USFS employee who died in WW1 by BGN decision in 1965. Fishing: Brooks

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The golden spot for exploring the Granite Dome area. Limited camp sites but the existing ones are spectacular with easy access to 7 lakes and as many peaks as you can scramble up. Named for Burt Lewis a USFS employee who died in WW1 by BGN decision in 1965. Fishing: Brookies

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Good base camp for exploring the surrounding area. Limited camp sites but away from the beaten path. Scramble up to the overlook dome for good views. Fishing: Rainbows up to 17"

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Off the beaten path, a small lake in a rocky bowl with adequate campsites. A ferocious population of small brookies that boil the water on every cast and Pacific Crest views make this spot another gem if you like solitude. Good place for a base camp if you wish to scale close-by Molo Mountain and Kennedy Peak. The lake outlet points the way to a rather steep deer trail that will take you to the back end of Kennedy Lake, reducing a lot of hiking miles if you had planned to make the trek via Big Sam. It is not as daunting as it looks. Fishing: Brookies

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Plenty of secluded spots and an easy hike up to Sachse Monument named after a local cattleman who pioneered many of today's trails while working for Bill Wood. Fishing: Brooks

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Secluded site with plenty of vistas. We saw Mountain Lion tracks on the beach head and on a hot day it would be a cool, refreshing dip! Fishing: Rainbows

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Another lake in the area with no mention of name origin or history. On a glacial bench, high alpine lake with some good campsites. Lots of room to spread out with easy access to Big and Yellowhammer Lakes. Several interesting peaks in the area. Fishing: Rainbows, supposedly, as we did not even see any surface and it was not for a lack of trying. Bring a table and deck of cards!

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Picturesque lake in an open setting

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Good camp sites and plenty of views from the surrounding ridges. Fishing: Rainbows up to 12"

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PG+E controlled subject to fluctuating levels. Best camps and fishing close to Relief Creek inlet. Relief Valley first shows on the 1853 Goddard's Map of Sonora Pass and is indicated as 'Lower Relief Valley' in 1883. This area is closely linked with the 1852 emigrant party crossing the Sierra range that was caught in an early snowstorm. The party abandoned their wagons and on foot found shelter and sent a group for help. The fine citizens of Sonora and Columbia rallied to their aide and brought the 'relief' they needed so desperately. Fishing: Catch all for trout migrating downriver from the backcountry. Best spots are at the far inlet and the point close to the Grouse Creek inlet halfway along the Huckleberry trail. Good camp spots there as well.

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Hike northeast to North Upper Relief Lake for fishing and better campsites. Good cool down lake on a hot day. Fishing: Not likely

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Camp sites best close to outlet. Falling rocks a concern when under the steep rock face. Best access to Granite Dome is via Upper Lewis Lake. Fishing: Goldens

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Central lake in Granite Dome area. Better camp sites at Ridge, Iceland and Upper Lewis. Best swimming lake in the area. Named for Giovanni Sardella, a noted local resident, by BGN in 1965. Fishing: Goldens, non evident in 2003

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Site of the Montezuma Tungsten mine. Plenty of campsites and close access to Bigelow peak with minimum visits as it is off the main trails. Another Leighton check dam lake with some big lunkers! Fishing- Big Brooks and Rainbows

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Isolated location perched below Granite Dome with outstanding vistas. Best access via Long and Coolidge Meadow Lakes. Route via Post Corral Canyon is rough. Fishing: No evidence of activity

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Another secluded spot with good access to nearby lakes, vistas and climbs. Plenty camp sites at both lakes. Fishing: Eastern Brookies

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A member of the three part Wood Lake chain. Named for Bill Wood, an early cattleman in the Piute-Emigrant-Huckleberry area. Fishing: Rainbows

Interesting Facts & Highlights

A member of the three part Wood Lake chain. Named for Bill Wood, an early cattleman in the Piute-Emigrant-Huckleberry area. Fishing: Rainbows

Interesting Facts & Highlights

A member of the three part Wood Lake chain. Named for Bill Wood, an early cattleman in the Piute-Emigrant-Huckleberry area. Fishing: Rainbows

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Yellowhammer Lake was named by Fred Leighton which served as his base of operations. From the National Register of Historic Names and Places: All of the dams built by Leighton are unobtrusive and ensure annual stream flow when streams would have normally dried up during fall months. For nearly 57 years, Leighton used the camp he called Yellowhammer as a base for promoting, building, and servicing check dams throughout the Emigrant Basin. The camp has also been used by the Stanislaus National Forest and the California Department of Fish & Game as a base from which to inspect and maintain the dams.
Fishing: Rainbows and the only lake to have been productive during our stay