Emigrant Lake
Photos Maps Summary: A moderate hike near Carson Pass leads up to a pretty lake located within a steep cirque surrounded by multiple 9,500'+ peaks. About half the hike follows the southern shore of Caples Lake, a man-made reservoir. The historic Emigrant Trail is met part way along the hike and offers an alternative for the more elevation hungry. Fireweed abounds along the shore of Emigrant Lake in summer. A small waterfall (Emigrant Creek Falls) is passed as the trail climbs up to the lake.Distance: 7.8 miles round-tripElevation Gain/Loss: 825' totalSeason: mid-July through OctoberFees & Permits: None for dayhikersFinding the Trailhead: 38.70303 N, 120.06527 W (Caples Lake Trailhead). From the CA-88/89 intersection south of Lake Tahoe, follow CA-88 southwest for ~13.6 miles and turn into the trailhead parking lot immediately west of the Caples Lake dam. The trail begins off the south side of the parking lot.
The Hike: For roughly the first half of this hike the trail follows the shore of Caples Lake. Along the way, the trail skirts the border of the Mokelumne Wilderness on a mostly level slope. A mixed forest of white firs, lodgepole and western white pines, and mountain hemlocks surrounds Caples Lake, but the trail stays very close to the shore and allows views over the lake for much of the this stretch. Near the center of the lake is a great view of Black Butte, Round Top, and The Sisters to the southeast. Just after this the forest opens up and a junction with the historic Emigrant Trail is reached (~1.25 miles). The Emigrant Trail leads up to the ridge above Emigrant Lake between Covered Wagon Peak and Melissa Coray Peak.Continuing straight, the trail reenters the trees and follows the lake shore to the southern tip of Caples Lake. From here, the trail moves away from the lake and follows Emigrant Creek uphill. A small meadow is quickly reached before the trail continues up through the trees. Just before crossing Emigrant Creek, a junction with the Kirkwood Meadows Trail is reached (~3.0 miles). Continue south, cross the creek, and resume climbing. At ~3.45 miles the trail crosses near the base of Emigrant Creek Falls. After this there are only a couple more switchbacks before the trail begins to level out and move out of the trees below the lake.
The northeast shore of Emigrant Lake is reached at ~3.90 miles. Snow can last late into the summer in this north-facing cirque. There isn't very much cover from the wind that commonly sweeps over the lake, but that might be a welcomed cool down after the moderate climb. Sit down along the shore and enjoy the views of the surroundings and think about covered wagons cresting the ridge above you to the southwest. To get back to the trailhead, retrace your steps.
