Walker Meadows are just east of the Sierra crest along the route of the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) in the Hoover Wilderness. The meadows provide a comfortable base camp from which to explore the many lakes in the area and to hike along trails once used by emigrant wagon trains in the 1850s. Fishing is good in all the lakes and many of the streams.
The 8-mile hike from Leavitt Lake to Walker Meadows is a high elevation trek, beginning at 9,600' at the lake and climbing immediately 1,000' to a ridge where you join the PCT. Panoramic views of both the eastern and western slopes of the Sierra from the ridge make carrying a camera a must. From there it is a 2,000' descent to Walker Meadows.
Wilderness Permits for the backpacking trip to Walker Meadows can be picked up at the Summit Ranger Station near Pinecrest or the Bridgeport Ranger Station in Bridgeport. The 3-mile dirt road to Leavitt Lake leaves Highway 108 four miles west of Leavitt Meadow. The road is often impassable in early summer due to snow and muddy stream crossings. Follow the road to Leavitt Lake and around to the left side to a small trailhead parking lot.
Water may not be available along the trail for the first several miles. Plan to start slowly. Pace yourself up the 1,000' climb to the top of the ridge. Once you reach the summit you join the Pacific Crest Trail. Views to the west are of the Kennedy Lake area and beyond, while to the east you can see out toward Leavitt Meadow.
The PCT turns downhill at the saddle. Another trail continues on south and climbs another high ridge before dropping into the Emigrant Meadow area. Take the PCT and descend the canyon to the east, finally leveling out in the Walker Meadows vicinity. The trail skirts the meadow area, joining other trails near a bridge.
The best campsites are near the bridge, some downstream. A nice campsite is just upstream from the bridge. Another choice would be to follow the trail east toward Chain of Lakes and to camp among the lakes. There are many good campsites there.