MrHollister.com/High Emigrant Lake Backpacking Trip

MrHollister.com » High Emigrant Lake Backpacking Trip

High Emigrant Backpacking Trip

My good friend Steve, ever the plan-ahead type, called me several nights before this trip wanting to know if I wanted to squeeze-in a backpacking expedition before school started. With Laura’s blessing, I agreed and planned a three-day excursion along the High Sierra Crest just south of Sonora Pass. We started our journey at the Leavitt Lake Trailhead (rough 4x4 road to get there) and continued another eight miles or so on foot to our camp at High Emigrant Lake. This hike had been high on my list of “to-do’s” for many years, thanks in part to the fine fishing, photography & geology rumored to be in the area. My high expectations for the hike were exceeded 10-fold by the stark, photogenic beauty and great fishing provided by the Emigrant Lakes basin. It's hard to be upset when wildflowers are blooming and one can roam at 10,000' in shorts and a t-shirt. The Perseid meteor shower on Tuesday evening topped-off a near perfect trip. The only downside of this excursion? The multiple 1000’ ascent & descents needed to get to the lakes gave both Steve & I wonderfully horrible blisters. Nothing like a little duct tape and moleskin to stave-off as much friction & pain as possible. Enjoy the photos.