Pinecrest Lake, Tuolumne County, California

Sonora Pass Wilderness Areas

Emigrant Wilderness, Carson-Iceberg Wilderness,
Hoover Wilderness

Mileage to Pinecrest Lake

  • Sonora - 30 miles
  • Stockton - 90 miles
  • Sacramento - 134 miles
  • Modesto - 77 miles
  • San Jose - 152 miles
  • San Francisco - 160 miles


High Sierra Trails

A Backpacker's Guide to the
Most Spectacular Trails
in the Sierra Nevada

High Sierra Trails website logo


Emigrant Wilderness

Backpacking, Fishing, Hunting, Exploring

The Emigrant Wilderness spreads south of Sonora Pass on the western slope of the Sierra Nevada. The 112,000-acre wilderness falls within the Stanislaus National Forest and is bordered on the south by Yosemite National Park and on the east by the Hoover Wilderness.

Because so much of the granite in the Emigrant Wilderness was shaped, polished, and scooped out by glaciers, the area abounds with lakes from two-mile long Huckleberry Lake to hundreds of little lakes scattered over the landscape. Granite peaks and domes soar to 10,000 and 11,000-foot elevations. Miles of rivers and streams cascade from craggy heights and wind through meadows and forests. The two major river systems in the Emigrant Wilderness are the Stanislaus River and the Tuolumne River.


Emigrant Lake, Emigrant Wilderness, CA

Emigrant Lake

The Emigrant Wilderness is popular with backpackers, hikers, anglers, horseback riders, photographers, and everyone who loves the outdoors. There are three major trailheads leading into the Emigrant Wilderness and a dozen other lesser ones. Trails from Kennedy Meadows lead up to Relief Reservoir and Kennedy Lake and off to more distant places such as Emigrant Lake and northern Yosemite.

Gianelli Cabin trailhead near Burst Rock is another favorite starting point. Trails from there wind out through Lake Valley and off toward Buck Lakes. The third trailhead which gets a lot of use is Crabtree Camp, not far from Gianelli's Cabin. Trails out of Crabtree Camp lead into the Cherry Creek area and across to Huckleberry Lake.

Elizabeth Wenk's Sierra North includes many trips in the Emigrant Wilderness. It makes a good reference when planning trips into the Emigrant Wilderness. This 2020 edition of Sierra North, written with Mike White, also covers hikes throughout the Northern Sierra Nevada.

Emigrant Wilderness Hikes with
Maps and Trail Descriptions:


Carson-Iceberg Wilderness


The Carson-Iceberg Wilderness is spread along the crest of the Sierra Nevada from Sonora Pass north to Ebbetts Pass. Carson-Iceberg Wilderness was named after explorer and scout Kit Carson and the granite formation at the end of the Clark Fork Road known as the Iceberg.

photo of Carson-Iceberg Wilderness

The Carson-Iceberg Wilderness contains 161,000 acres. Its highest peaks rise over 12,000 feet. Some of the main streams and rivers in the area include the northern tributaries of the Clark Fork of the Stanislaus, the headwaters of the Mokelumne River, and the tributaries of the East Fork of the Carson River.

The Pacific Crest Trail runs north and south through the Carson-Iceberg Wilderness, crossing both Sonora and Ebbetts passes. Other important trailheads into the wilderness include the Wolf Creek area, Rodriquez Flat and Mill Creek on the eastern Sierra, and the Clark Fork to the south.

Popular hiking destinations are the upper reaches of the East Fork of the Carson River, the Disaster Creek trail, and Silver King. Special fishing restrictions cover sections of the wilderness in order to protect the endangered Paiute trout.
Available at Forest Service offices is a
Carson-Iceberg Wilderness Trail Distances Map.

Carson-Iceberg Wilderness Hikes with Maps and Trail Descriptions:
Iceberg Meadow to Boulder Lake, 4 miles

Ebbetts Pass Trailheads into the Carson-Iceberg Wilderness

A number of trailheads that lead into the Carson-Iceberg Wilderness are found along Ebbetts Pass, Highway 4, to the north. The Ebbetts Pass to Sonora Pass trek makes a great 3-day outing. Other trails begin at Spicer Meadow Reservoir and Lake Alpine and wander south toward the Dardanelles. To learn more, visit our sister website Ebbetts Pass Adventures.

Hoover Wilderness


photo of the Fremont Lake and Tower Peak in the Hoover Wilderness, CA

Fremont Lake and Tower Peak

The Hoover Wilderness is a narrow band stretching along the eastern slope of the Sierra in Mono County. The Hoover Wilderness's western boundary touches Yosemite National Park while its southern edge pushes nearly to Tioga Pass Road. Although only 48,600 acres in size, it contains dozens of lakes, deep, forested valleys, and high, spectacular peaks.

The most popular trailheads for entering the Hoover Wilderness are at Leavitt Meadow, Twin Lakes, Green Creek, Virginia Lakes, Lundy Lake, and Saddlebag Lake. Many backpackers push on over the crest of the Sierra into Yosemite National Park.

Hoover Wilderness Hikes with Maps and Trail Descriptions:


TOP




Wilderness Pack Trips

A number of local pack stations offer pack trips into the Emigrant and Hoover Wilderness areas. Trips can be arranged that drop you and your gear at a designated base camp or where a wrangler and the pack animals accompany you on an extended outing. Pack station personnel can recommend many excellent wilderness destinations.

Kennedy Meadows Pack Station

Located at Kennedy Meadows, the Kennedy Meadows Pack Station is at the edge of the Emigrant Wilderness, a vast mountain area full of lakes, high peaks, and lush meadows. The pack station offers both day trail rides for an hour, a half day, or all day. They also provide pack animals and wranglers for extended pack trips.

Kennedy Meadows Resort and Packstation.

Aspen Meadow Pack Station

Located on Crabtree Road just a few miles from Pinecrest Lake, Aspen Meadow Pack Station is a convenient location for day rides or overnight pack trips. Aspen Meadow Pack Station offers horses and pack mules, ideally suited to carry you and your gear over any terrain.

Aspen Meadow Pack Station offers overnight trips to destinations such as Bear Lake, Big Lake, Emigrant Lake, Huckleberry Lake, and Deer Lake. They can drop you at a base camp and pick you up later or stay with you for an all-inclusive pack trip.

Aspen Meadow Pack Station

Leavitt Meadows Pack Station

Leavitt Meadows Pack Station is located alongside Highway 108 in Leavitt Meadow, on the east side of Sonora Pass. They have years of experience leading trips into the Hoover Wilderness. They can set you up at a base camp at places such as Fremont Lake or guide you on an extended trip where meals, tents, and other group equipment are provided.

Leavitt Meadows Pack Station.

High Sierra Trails

A Backpacker's Guide to the Most Spectacular Trails in the Sierra Nevada


High Sierra Trails website logo


Find More Great Adventures -
Visit Our Sister Websites

California's Best Beaches logo California's Greatest Lakes logo California's Best Camping logo

TOP