Overnight at Emerald Lake, Sequoia NP

[lambertiana]

Recently one of my backpacking friends told me that he wanted to take advantage of a weekend when his family would be out of town, and asked me if I wanted to tag along. He had to twist my arm really hard. He went in early yesterday to get the permit and went up to Emerald Lake in Sequoia NP by himself. Later that day another friend followed with his seven year old son. After work I went straight to the trailhead at Wolverton, and hit the trail at 6:15 PM. The first part of the trail is in typical California Red Fir forest

A nice small brook along the way

I got to Emerald Lake at 9PM, just as it got dark. It was significantly cooler than here in the valley (9000' of elevation gain sure makes a difference). This morning I had a relaxing time taking pictures. This is Emerald Lake:

The outlet stream from Emerald Lake

Just below Emerald Lake is Aster Lake, a very photogenic spot

Looking back toward Emerald Lake from Aster Lake

The area around Emerald Lake has a lot of nice Lodgepole Pine and Western White Pine, here is a nice Western White Pine

The mosquitoes were out in force, and there was another couple there who found out the hard way that the "organic, all natural" mosquito repellent that they bought at a store that specializes in such stuff does not work at all. I felt sorry for them, and let them use my DEET.

 

[lambertiana]

From the trail on the way back out, this is looking back up toward the Tablelands

On the way out we spent some time taking pictures at Heather Lake

We took the Watchtower trail, can you see my friend in red?

Here is the Watchtower

Looking down from the Watchtower

This is a really nice location, and Emerald Lake is only five miles from the trailhead. The only drawback is that because it is a scenic area so close to the trailhead, it is very popular and there are always a lot of people on that trail. And, unlike most areas of Sequoia/Kings Canyon, you have to camp in designated campsites. Nonetheless, it is still a trip that I would highly recommend.

 

[Mistwalker]

WOW stunning photos, very scenic area indeed! I think I could spend about a month out there by that Aster lake and still not want to leave. Thanks for sharing the trip!

 

[adam0321]

I can't waitto get out there someday

 

[WILLIAM.M]

WOW stunning photos, very scenic area indeed! I think I could spend about a month out there by that Aster lake and still not want to leave. Thanks for sharing the trip!

Ditto---BIG TIME!!!!

Thanks for posting

I ALWAYS look forward to your EXCELLENT photos

 

[utah_fish]

Was hoping to see some pics if you flyfishing in that beautiful water. That's more than half the reason I go. I'm sure you could see some rising/jumping right?

 

[lambertiana]

Plenty of rising fish, we have fished there before and had no problem catching brookies.

 

[utah_fish]

Plenty of rising fish, we have fished there before and had no problem catching brookies.

Love catching brookies in waters like that. They are voracious things and make for some excellent meals.

 

[Doc13]

Amazing country, amazing pictures. Thank you for sharing. I always enjoy these!!

 

[tknife]

The Lakes Trail is the first trail that I ever set foot on in Sequoia back in scouts. I love that trail and hiked it a couple summers ago with my wife. The watchtower is amazing!

 

[cosmophonic12]

very nice!! thanks for sharing!

 

[kgd]

Fantastic stuff. I wish I had your lungs.....and your thighs! Gotta love those ultraoligotrophic waters for their clarity and inspiration!

 

[lambertiana]

I wish I had the lungs, too. I live at 300' above sea level, and when I go up to 10,000' or higher I really feel it.

Oligotrophic lakes are the rule in the Sierra high country. With the granite bedrock and very little soil (most of the soil was moved downslope by the glaciers during the Pleistocene, which is why there is so much bare rock in the high country) there isn't a lot of dissolved solids in the lakes. I saw a water quality survey of 31 lakes around Mt Pinchot in Kings Canyon, and the majority of the lakes had a conductivity of 15-60 uSiemens/cm. Some lakes were as low as 5 uSiemens/cm, which is just about the same as deionized water.

Here is a good example of an oligotrophic lake (Sapphire Lake in Kings Canyon)

Or Franklin Lake

Or Lake 10,440 in Nine Lake Basin

Or upper Rae Lake

In many of the higher lakes, the bottom is clearly visible out to 40' depth or more.

 

[TwinStick]

Fantastic pics. Stunning scenery. Are you allowed to fish any of those lakes ?

 

[mworley66]

Wow! Those are awesome pics. Looks like a very beautiful place.

 

[HikingMano]

Absolutely gorgeous! :thumbup: So the mosquitoes were bad huh?

[...]Oligotrophic lakes are the rule in the Sierra high country. With the granite bedrock and very little soil (most of the soil was moved downslope by the glaciers during the Pleistocene, which is why there is so much bare rock in the high country) there isn't a lot of dissolved solids in the lakes. I saw a water quality survey of 31 lakes around Mt Pinchot in Kings Canyon, and the majority of the lakes had a conductivity of 15-60 uSiemens/cm. Some lakes were as low as 5 uSiemens/cm, which is just about the same as deionized water. [...]

That is some clean water! Natural Milli-Q water... haha.

 

[Mack]

It's been far too long since I last visited that area. I need to go back.
Thanks for bringing back some wonderful memories.

 

[lambertiana]

Fantastic pics. Stunning scenery. Are you allowed to fish any of those lakes ?

Yes, you can fish all of the many many high country lakes in Sequoia/Kings Canyon. Depending on location, you will catch brook, rainbow, volcano creek golden, or little kern golden trout. Many of the lakes that are away from popular trails are really hot fishing. You toss your lure in, and in the crystal clear water you see trout rush toward it from all directions. I saw one location where all we had to do was dangle a lure a few inches above the water and the trout would jump out of the water to take it.

This is not someone I know, but it can give you an idea of what is possible in the Sierras. Granted, it is about a fishing trip that is far better than typical, but you get the idea. I know which basin these were caught in, and it is off trail (it would take me two days from the nearest road to reach it). All lakes in that basin are above 11,000'.

http://imhooked.com/cgi-bin/forumsyabb/YaBB.pl?num=1313715834/0

 

[Mossyhorn]

What beautiful back country. The photos are just stunning. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Kirk_Ferentz]

What campsites are closest if you want to do the lakes trail? I don't yet have the equipment to carry everything up to the emeral lakes sites, so I'd like to camp somewhere not too far from the trailhead. Looks like Lodgepole is booked up solid for the rest of the summer. I saw there is a small one at South Fork, but that is pretty far and I won't be able to make it there before it fills (unless spots would still be open on Saturday morning).

I'd also take a substitute trail in the area if it is less popular and easier to get a nearby campsite.