Stanislaus National Forest

A cool experience with 6 to 10 mile hikes
Trek into the wilderness and sleep in the backcountry
Pups are welcome at camp and on hiking trails
Places we've visited and fallen in love with

Journeying to Bear Lake and Quartz Mountain in Stanislaus National Forest

Journeying to Bear Lake and Quartz Mountain in Stanislaus National Forest

Journeying to Bear Lake and Quartz Mountain in Stanislaus National Forest

Journeying to Bear Lake and Quartz Mountain in Stanislaus National Forest

Designed by
Yvonne Leow
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Last updated
August 3, 2024

Trip · 3-day backpacking trip

For · Friends and intermediate backpackers

Vibe · Moderate and fun

Distance  · 19.8 miles and 3,196 feet of elevation gain

Permits · Yes, self-register for a wilderness permit at a ranger station 1 to 5 days before your trip

Drive · 4 hours from SF

Ideal dates · June to September

Pets · Welcome on trails and campgrounds!

Nestled within the nearly 900,000-acre Stanislaus National Forest, Emigrant Wilderness offers its open-eyed wanderers a direct experience with many of the Sierra’s most impressive and memorable features. Its trails move between families of friendly granite giants, whom give way to awe, perspective and welcomed shade to those beneath them. Its pristine meadows and lakes ask only for your naked attention and immersion, and, in return, refresh, invigorate, and imbue those who give it that unique kind of Sierra serenity and joy.

Official Forest Service Website

Latest Fire Restrictions

Directions to Trailhead

Main image credit: Jonny Sandlund

Stuff to know

  • A Wilderness Permit is required for all overnight trips. Before you go, self-register for a permit here. There’s no quota but they ask that you reserve between 5 - 15 days before your trip. If you’re planning a last minute trip in the next 5 days, try calling. They’re accommodating and are known to make exceptions :).
  • There’s a one night camping limit per trip at the following lakes: Bear, Camp, Grouse, Powell, and Waterhouse. Remember to camp at least 100 feet away from water, trails and “no camping” signs.
  • Bear Canisters aren’t required but review this When Visiting Bear Country information guide for best practices around bears - and bringing a canister or IGBC Certified bag is never a bad idea :)

Resources

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Emigrant Wilderness
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Itinerary

Day One

Oakdale Cheese & Specialities
Oakdale Cheese & Specialities. Credit: Yelp

Between 7 AM to noon(ish)

  • Wake up, grab your permit, do one last gear check, and chart a path to Crabtree trailhead.
  • It’s a 3.5 hour drive from SF so turn up the music (Feeling Alive?) and enjoy the ride.

Hungry? Carb up en route at Oakdale Cheese & Specialities

  • Home of the best darn grilled cheeses in the land
  • While you’re there, text a loved one your route and let them know you’ll text when you’re back on the grid. They’ll appreciate it :).

Arrive at Crabtree Trailhead

  • Do one last gear check and then head south on Crabtree trail
  • Regarding parking, I’ve been twice and haven’t had issues finding spots. But if you’re visiting on a holiday weekend you might want to call the park ranger for guidance and backup options.

Hike 3.5 miles to Bear Lake

  • One of the fundamental laws of backpacking is that the busyness of a place is directly proportional to its distance from the trailhead
  • So Bear Lake can get “busy” on weekends -- as in, more than 5 groups --  so if you don’t find a lakeside spot right away, try continuing to the NE side of the lake.

Make camp

  • Let loose and go for a swim. There’s a great jumping rock in this lake.
  • What’s your favorite animal? Channel it. Run and jump high. Fly as high as you can!

Car to camp: 3.5 miles - 535 feet of elevation gain - 3 hours

In the mid-1800s, emigrant groups started venturing West, often traversing the wilderness of present-day Emigrant Wilderness, hence its name.

Day Two

Backpacking tents in Stanislaus National Forest.
Backpacking in Stanislaus National Forest. Credit: Jonny Sandlund

Wake up with a morning swim

  • It might be chilly. But invigorating! And your body will thank you!

Break camp

  • Hike ~9 miles to Gem Lake

Make camp and then, obviously, go for another swim :)

  • Legend has it there are diamonds, emeralds and sapphires to be found, buried deep within the lake’s bed.  
  • ​A word of caution: you’ll be at 8,200 feet. Which, while not terribly high, can take its toll on sea-level living folks. So maybe avoid racing your friend across the lake unless you’re in iron wo(man) shape. It didn’t work out well for us ;-)

Rest, relax, and hike to the top of Quartz Mountain

  • Catch a sunset so beautiful and sublime that it’ll quake even the deepest convictions of the staunchest atheists, if only for a moment.

Camp to camp: 9 miles - 642 ft. of elevation gain - 5 to 6 hours

Native American tribes populated this area as early as 8,000 B.C., spending the Summer & early Autumn months hunting and foraging acorns in the area.

DAY THREE

Stanislaus National Forest
Stanislaus National Forest. Credit: Jonny Sandlund

Wake up before the sun rises

  • Throw on your layers, pick a granite giant, hike to its top, and say good morning to another beautiful Sierran day.
  • Or, sleep in. But, hey, it’s your last day in the mountains.

Break camp and go for a final swim in Gem Lake

  • Breath big, dive deep, emerge anew.

Return to Crabtree Trailhead

  • With a lightened pack, hike 10 miles back to the Crabtree trailhead. (Pro-tip: leave a gallon of water in your car so you can take a post-hike shower.)

Hit the road and jam out

  • Play your fav angsty teenage tunes on your ride back (Chasing Cars, anyone?). Before you cross the bridge and re-enter society, perhaps, set and intention and commit to your next trip. These mountains are calling. Always calling :)

Camp to car: 8.7 miles - 200 feet of elevation gain - 5 hours

Hear those cow bells ringing? Parts of Emigrant Wilderness still have cattle grazing allotments
June 1, 2024

Bewilder at LAist Super-Fun Saturday

Make wildflower seed bombs with Bezzi the Yeti at LAist's Super Fun Saturday

Event in 2 days

Bewilder Basecamp: Spooky Wonders

Join Bezzi the Yeti on her first spooky camping adventure!

Shop curated gear

Everything your family needs for a fun and easy campout

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$5

Pocket-sized UNO GO!

A classic, easy to learn game for the entire family

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$24

Supergoop! PLAY Everyday Lotion SPF 50

It's pricey, but Supergoop! makes putting on sunscreen feel smooth and easy.

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$19

NATPAT BuzzPatch Mosquito Patches

A cute and colorful patch that repels mosquitoes with a natural repellent.

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$19

Vlirka VNDS Shoe Holster

A neat way to pack, carry, and organize dirty shoes.

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$32

High Tail Hikes Brass Leash

A lightweight, easy to clean customizable leash that comes in a rainbow of colors.

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$49.95

Ruffwear Basecamp™ Dog Bed

A packable, easy to clean dog bed for the great outdoors.

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$17.99

Mighty Paw LED Dog Collar

A weather-resistant LED collar so your pup stays safe at night.

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$24.96

PupFlask Large Dog Water Bottle

A leakproof water bottle to quench your pup's thirst.

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$17.40

DOGSWELL Remedy + Recovery Bundle

Add this pup medication and liquid bandage bundle to your first aid kit.

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$139

Radius Outfitters Large Camp Kitchen Organizer

For avid campers, this organizer will keep your kitchen utensils clean and organized.

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$20

MyCarry Travel Potty

Bring a portable toilet to help your toddler stick to their indoor routine.

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Meal & snack ideas

It turns out everything tastes better when we're outside

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Dinner

Ham and cheese campfire sandwiches

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Moroccan apple beef stew

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Breakfast

Apple sweet potato hash

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Banana coconut french toast

Vegan

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Lunch

Chicken soba noodle salad

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Apple maple sausage sandwiches

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Chicken pad thai

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Frittata

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Baked sweet potatoes and chili

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Huevos rancheros verdes

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Banana boats

Gluten Free · Vegetarian

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Scrambled eggs n' bacon

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