Emigrant Wilderness
This Wilderness in managed by:
The Stanislaus National Forest
Additional resources can be found on:
The Stanislaus Forest Wilderness Pages
The Emigrant Wilderness is named after the historical mountain pass that follows the West Walker route over the Sierra. Critically sensitive to development and overuse, the U.S. Forest Service first designated this a protected primitive area in 1931 with legislation adding it to the National Wilderness Preservation System in 1975. The Emigrant covers an area of 113,000 acres featuring broad sheets of glaciated granite leading to crests, peaks, and ridges covered with volcanic rock.
A mixture of geological rock formations, numerous lakes and meadows of varying size, and a diversity of wildlife attract a modest amount visitors to the Emigrant. To the north and east one finds terrain dominated by lava-capped summits with fields of granite spanning for miles. In the western parts of the Emigrant, though still a granite and lava landscape, one finds more lakes, meadows and patches of pine. Ranging overall from 5,000 feet around Cherry Reservoir to higher points above 11,000 feet, the Emigrant lies mostly between 7500 and 9000 feet.
Ever since the Clark Skidmore party crossed Emigrant Pass the area now known as Emigrant Wilderness became important to California and the country. Though eventually abandoned as a major travel route over the Sierra, the Emigrant’s water has continued to make the area critical for man. The Cherry Creek watershed is protected here in the Emigrant, its waters feeding Cherry Reservoir and eventually the industrial and energy needs of San Francisco.
Enjoying the Emigrant Wilderness
Maximum Group Size
No more than 15 people and 25 head of stock are allowed on overnight trips. Why?
Wilderness Permits
A Wilderness Visitor’s Permit is required for overnight visits to the Emigrant Wilderness. Why? Use is not subject to quotas or fees at any time of the year. Only one permit is required for trips that are continuous and pass through more than one Wilderness Area. You are not permitted to travel or camp within one mile of a related group. One permit is required per trip per group, and a Wilderness Permit Application Form is available on line.
Bears and Food Storage
Keep a clean camp and never leave trash, food or odiferous items in the open and unattended. The use of approved bear resistant food storage containers is highly recommended. Why? Bears in the Emigrant are wild and normally avoid contact with humans and human food. This is an ideal situation – do what you can to maintain this wild condition by keeping food inaccessible at all times. The goal is to prevent wildlife from being rewarded for getting in to human food. A permanent change from a wild diet to a diet of human food may result from one encounter. This change has unwanted consequences for both the bear and people.
Campfires
The use of gas stoves is recommended as they avoid many of the negative impacts of campfires (depletion of down wood, proliferation of fire rings, use of fire rings for garbage disposal, unsightly scaring of rocks, lakeshores and meadows). Campfires are prohibited above 9000 feet and no campfires are allowed within ½ mile of Emigrant Lake. Why?
Pets
Pets must be kept under control and are not allowed to harass wildlife or people.
Other Considerations
- One night camping limit per trip at the following lakes: Bear, Camp, Grouse, Powell, and Waterhouse.
- No campfires above 9,000 feet; and, no campfires within 1/2 mile of Emigrant Lake.
- No holding of stock within ¼ mile of the following lakes: Bear, Camp, Deer, Grouse, Powell, Waterhouse and Wood.
- No holding of more than 4 head of stock within ¼ mile of the following lakes:, Gem, Jewelry, Long, Maxwell, Pingree, Piute and Rosasco.
Contact
Stanislaus National Forest
Supervisor’s Office
19777 Greenley Road
Sonora, CA 95370
(209) 532-3671
FAX (209) 533-1890
TDD (209) 533-0765
Summit Ranger District
#1 Pinecrest Lake Road
Pinecrest, CA 95364
(209) 965-3434
FAX (209) 965-3372
TDD (209) 965-0488
