Emigrant Lake/Caples Lake Hike

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

 

GREAT NEWS!!!!:  Caples Lake is again full of, you guessed it -- WATER!  Last year we hiked along a shore line viewing rocks and stumps only visible due to the empty lake because of the need to repair the dam valves.   This year we will enjoy the beauty and tranquility of a lake shore.   See the pictures attached  below of Caples Lake taken on July 17th.   That, Ladies and Gentlemen, is real water!

 
DIFFICULTY:  Moderately strenuous   The second portion of the hike in is a continuous 2 1/2 mile climb up to Emigrant Lake.  It is not too steep but is a constant uphill and could be considered strenuous for some hikers.

 
ELEVATION GAIN:  Approximately 951 feet  -   feels like only 937 feet.  Highest altitude is 8600 feet.  

 
HIKE DISTANCE:   9.0 miles out and back.

 

GENERAL LOCATION:   Highway 88 five miles prior to Carson Pass.  The trailhead is located at the Caples Lake Dam, just beyond the Kirkwood Ski Resort.  Emigrant Lake is located in the Mokelumne Wilderness.

 
DESCRIPTION:   Two lakes, one large and one small, provide hikers with two distinctly different portraits of this Carson Pass adventure.  Half of the journey skirts the shoreline of Caples Lake, a 600-acre man-made reservoir where recreationists boat, fish and swim.   The other half consists of a gentle climb along Emigrant Creek through small, flower-filled meadows and a mixed pine / fir forest to Emigrant Lake, where tall steep mountain peaks reaching 9500 plus feet tower high above. 

The austere beauty of the area is quite stunning and you won’t be disappointed with the scenery.  The vision of the deep lake, patches of lingering snowfields, brilliant floral displays of wild flowers and a rambling cascading creek are hard to describe in mere words.   Be sure to check out the prehike pictures.

 The first half of the trek to Emigrant Lake is flat as you hike along the shoreline..  The 2nd half is a relatively steady but gentle climb up to Emigrant Lake.  In general the trail is well-composted and easy on the feet (although parts of the trail are pitted with nuisance rocks to step around).   Also approximately 87% of the trail is shaded. Did you get that ??  -- A shaded hike in the heat of summer.
 

Highlights of the hike include:

  • A truly beautiful Alpine lake (Emigrant Lake).  If you liked Shower’s Lake, you’ll certainly appreciate this little beauty and its perfect setting in a basin of surrounding snow-appointed peaks and wildflowers.
  • Hiking boot changing facility - plenty of well-positioned rocks at the parking lot to be used as seats to simplify changing into hiking boots  -- all for your personal comfort.
  • Cascading waterfalls en route to the lake
  • Meadows of wildflowers (current flowers that are in bloom do not guarantee future results)
  • Scenic patches of snow on the opposite shoreline of Emigrant Lake
  • A pre-lunch snack break along Emigrant Creek and a cascading waterfall.
  • A rock-hop across Emigrant Creek.
  • Views of The Sisters’ rocky spires and Round Top Peak.
  • All down hill on the way back (Yeah !!)
  • A most pleasant hike conclusion along the peaceful shoreline of Caples Lake

LUNCH:   Bring your lunch and a pre-lunch snack.  We will break for a snack at a cascading waterfall before we arrive at Emigrant Lake.  The lunch break is planned for mid hike when we reach the lake. .

TRAVEL TIME / DISTANCE / PARKING:   Travel time is approximately 2 hours and 100 miles from Lincoln.  Suggested contribution for riders is $15.  Detailed driving directions will be handed out to all drivers.   Parking is at the trailhead at Caples Lake on Route 88.  THERE IS NO FEE FOR PARKING.

DINNER PLANS: We will stop for dinner prior to returning home to Lincoln.  A possible restaurant is Papa Gianni’s in Cameron Park, our Italian favorite complements of Fred Crofut.

HIKE LEADER / SWEEP:   Dennis Ratay / Margaret Ratay  

 
SPECIAL NOTES:

           FACILITIES AVAILABLE:   A comfort station is available at the trailhead.  

           PREPARATIONS FOR HIKE:   Hiking boots mandatory and poles recommended.  Shade is plentiful, and so are mosquitoes if we stop in the shade.  Bug repellant is recommended.  Also it was quite breezy and a bit chilly up at Emigrant Lake.  A light windbreaker is recommended to make your lunch more enjoyable.  

           RISKS:   Major disappointment for all of you unable to make this terrific hike.             

          QUESTIONS:   Call Dennis Ratay at 543-9935.

 MEETING TIME:  7:00 am at Orchard Creek parking lot   -- We will leave at 7:15 am.

 RAIN CANCELS HIKE

 

 

 Pictures from the prehike