Emigrant Creek Falls

Emigrant Creek Falls

Alpine County, California

Description

Emigrant Creek Falls is located along a nice hike from Caples Lake up to Emigrant Lake (hike description to come). During the spring and summer wildflowers can be seen between the trail and this small waterfall. The trailhead for this hike is only about 5 miles west of the historic Carson Pass of the Northern Sierra Nevadas. The 1844 Fremont Expedition, led by Kit Carson, made an attempt in the middle of winter to reach Sutter's Fort via the now-named Carson Pass, west of Red Lake, against the advice of the local Washoe Indians. They were forced to eat dog, horse, and mule but did successfully make it to Sutter's Fort without any fatalities. Along the way John C. Fremont and Charles Preuss climbed up to Red Lake Peak and became the first white men to see Lake Tahoe in the distance. In 1849, a wagon trail was built through Carson Pass by Mormons. Later, this road was extended around the northern shore of Silver Lake (~5.5 miles SW of trailhead) and southwest to Jackson (CA-88 follows the latter route). The only reason to visit this waterfall is if you are already doing the hike to Emigrant Lake.Location

Emigrant Creek Falls: 38.6670 N, 120.0390 W

USGS Topo: Caples Lake

Directions

The trailhead for the hike to Emigrant Lake is located off the south side of CA-88, immediately west of the dam on Caples Lake (~13.6 miles SW of the CA-88/CA-89 intersection). The trail starts by following the western shore of Caples Lake before heading south up Emigrant Creek towards Emigrant Lake at the southern tip of Caples Lake. This waterfall is seen ~0.4 miles below Emigrant Lake (distance from trailhead to come).