* After circling the loop and just before rejoining the "stem" of the lollipop loop we were supposed to cross Summit Creek. This hike is brutal but up there with one of the best Ive done. This is a . Mosaic of verdant grassland, oak woodland and coniferous Douglas fir and redwood forest #santacruzmountains #spring, Peaceful meadows #recreateresponsibly #leavenotrace #meadows #conifers #santacruzmountains, This fascinating complex of redwoods has quite a story to tell. There are seven intrusive suites in Yosemite National Park. Most of the granite in the Sierra Nevada Batholith was emplaced between 120 and 85 million years ago during the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods. Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. actual mileage, closer to 40. great hike. The trip up was a fun day hike from camping along the small lakes on the western side of the dome with various granite slabs, alpine meadows with wildflowers, and barren scree slopes along the way. Kennedy Meadows Trailhead to Ridge Lake. Nestled in the folded granite on the north side of Granite Dome theres a number of pristine mountain lakes and views down to the valleys below. mosquitoes miserable. A second option is to aim for the saddle north of the local peak, then maintain elevation and wrap around to the southwest side of it to a gradual climb. It is actually possible to drive to Leavitt Lake, but a high clearance vehicle is required. President Lyndon B. Johnson was born near Johnson City. I had the entire set of lakes all to myself. What made this visit special was the colorful ice pools in the lakes, including a heavenly blue pool in Upper Lewis Lake and a stunning teal turquoise color in Ridge Lake. #canyonliveoak #quercuschrysolepis #recreateresponsibly #leavenotrace #santacruzmountains #heritageoak #californiafloristicprovince #oakwoodland, It still feels like winter in the Santa Cruz Mountains but the crisp and clear days have been gorgeous #santacruzmountains #spottedatmidpen #recreateresponsibly #leavenotrace, Father daughter day! We had rain 2 of 5 days. There was big creek/river to cross to get other side for the trail. Approximately three to 10 miles below these volcanoes are the magma chambers that feed them, which build up over time as bodies called plutons. Granite Dome is an immense granite massif with numerous micro-basins occupied by a series of stunning alpine lakes set amid granite slabs and cliffs. The weather was amazing. Plenty of opportunities to filter drinking water. It's buggy as hell this time of year in sections. A free wilderness permit is required for overnight stays within the Emigrant Wilderness Area. The hiking route described here starts at the north end of Upper Lewis Lake (which happens to be a fantastic campsite). This time I had heated socks, and, other than that my right sock came unplugged when I threw my leg over the bike at the last fill-up, they worked a treat. The Summit Trail may close in wet weather. The actual summit of Granite Dome is on the far west side. On and off the trail to be on trail. You park along the side of Hwy 108 and scramble down an embankment where a creek flows at the bottom. Aconcagua mountain itself has many routes, photos, and trip reports as children. Ridge Lake is arguably the centerpiece nestled beneath the towering cliffs of Granite Dome with waterfalls splashing down into the lake from the upper reaches of the peak. (1), Images In both 2012 and 2014 visits were in early June and most of the lakes were melted out. The creek cuts down layers of gently sloping granite, draining from Ridge Lake and Iceland Lake 1,200 feet above. Our second day was 20 miles and we didn't make it to the top of Granite dome. This is a phenomenal trail with everything you could want and more out of an Eastern Sierra backpacking trip: views, waterfalls, meadows, woods, climbs, lakes, etc. From here theres probably many different options for climbing up to the lakes below Granite Dome, but I chose to follow the trail up to Lower Relief Valley and follow the drainage up from there. Beautiful backpacking trip; would have been 5 stars if it wasn't so unexpectedly long. I strongly recommend studying the satellite image for this section; 4. Find adventures and camping on the go, share photos, use GPX tracks, and download maps for offline use. Ridge Lake is arguably the centerpiece nestled beneath the towering cliffs of Granite Dome with waterfalls splashing down into the lake from the upper reaches of the peak. Upper Lewis Lake was my favorite campsite in this area. A wonderfully clear and calm post-storm evening #spottedatmidpen #stanford #eveninglight #recreateresponsibly #leavenotrace, 2014 Adventure Recap | Leor Pantilat's Adventures, Granite Dome & Lakes 2017 | Leor Pantilat's Adventures. The crew was setting up radio repeaters to allow comnmunications between the SAR teams when the accident occurred. The scenery, rock formations and legends are magical, too! Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 15 h 31 min to complete. night 3: far end of Emigrant Lake - fierce mosquitos! I would recommend 4 days. Tower Peak is particularly striking to the east. We made this mistake and ended up hiking over that entire peak at the end of an already long day! Kennedy Meadows and Relief Reservoir trailhead to Granite Dome Lakes. Photos from my prior visit to Granite Dome can be found here. If we werent so short of time, I would have loved to loop around Iceland Lake on the way down. Once you reach the exposed granite of Lembert Dome, there is no trail, so follow the easiest path up to catch panoramic views of Tuolumne Meadows and the surrounding mountain range. It was warm and pleasant at the traihead. Absolutely love that area. On the hike out I stopped at Relief Reservoir for lunch and there was a helicopter landed down near the reservoir. Stop by Llano, known as the Deer Capital of Texas, for museums, music and more. You can buy wood for campfires at the park. Pay close attention to topography or GPS and you should be able to maintain elevation from the saddle and wind around to an open area which leads straight to the lake. Amazingly beautiful. 4.5 miles, out-and-back trailelevation gain: 1,000ft. Join or donate to the Friends of Enchanted Rock. The trail was very well maintained in areas where snow wasnt covering it. This is a popular trail for backpacking, camping, and fishing, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. Very few to no bugs at each stop. We had Ridge Lake all to ourselves as we set up base camp. There are epic views of Lower Lewis Lake, several hundred feet below. tough day hiking up the granite and navigating around snow patches. Situated on the eastern edge of Emigrant Wilderness, Leavitt Lake is a great introduction to backpacking in the Sierra Nevada. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 15 h 31 min to complete. From Highway 120 in Tuolumne Meadows, the trail for Cathedral Lakes follows the John Muir Trail (JMT) southwest through a lodgepole pine forest as it gains elevation en route to the Cathedral Range. Ridge Lake can be reached either by continuing west after the first saddle in the route to Lewis Lake. It is the predominant mountain in this area with a smattering of picturesque lakes that provide both excellent camping and fishing opportunities. TL;DR Incredible route with gorgeous scenery, but with a creek crossing that becomes an impassable river crossing early in the season and should not be attempted until the flow slows significantly. More adventurous folks can camp elsewhere on the Dome, exploring Iceland, Sardella, or Ridge Lake, taking an alternate route down to Upper Relief valley and following the trail back to Kennedy Meadows. Thank you to my 3 friends who got me through the first day. Iconic landforms such as Yosemite Valley, Yosemite Falls, Bridalveil Fall, El Capitan, Half Dome, and Cathedral Peak are known throughout the world. tough day hiking up the granite and navigating around snow patches. --Helen Keller, Routes The full story and photos of the crash can be found here. This tremendous vista is one of my favorites. It gets better the deeper you go. Read through our Climbing Information before you come. Explore this 11.7-mile loop trail near Mi Wuk Village, California. Route on Strava here. By the time youve finished the ascent, your feet will already be killing you and getting down is even harder; 3. A grand heritage oak in every sense. Granite Dome is a massive piece of granite in the heart of the Emigrant Wilderness. A Wilderness Permit is required for all overnight trips to the Emigrant, Carson-Iceberg, and Mokelumne Wilderness Areas. Main thing to note is that the streams were mostly dry so needed to rely on water from the lakes for the most part. Intense whitewater everywhere, neck-deep. The route leaves the Huckleberry Trail just above the fork between Summit Creek and Lewis Lakes Creek. Saint Helens and Mt. Like the name says, Granite Dome is a massive conglomeration of granite in the heart of the Emigrant Wilderness with numerous routes, epic views, and gorgeous alpine lakes to explore, all of which are off-trail (eventually) but accessible to even a novice, multi-day backpacker. didn't have too much trouble crossing the river - would recommend closer to the Kennedy meadows end before the river splits into two. Stay to the right on Lake Dorothy Road, and pass the Granite Creek Connector trailhead 0.7 miles later, on your right. The Young Lakes Loop Trail is an awesome adventure in Yosemite National Park that delivers epic vistas of the granite bluffs and alpine lakes that adorn the landscape. Lo. There are several routes up Granite Dome, all of which eventually lead offtrail and require minor wayfinding, as it's easy to reach a dead-end as Granite Dome is a massive conglomeration, a vmaze of rock, streams, and alpine lakes making it a playground for lovers of wild places. We crested a hill and saw that the ridge continued on further. FIND YOUR WAY OUTSIDE is a trademark of AllTrails, LLC. Nov 3, 2019 7 min read. Climb the ancient dome for amazing Hill Country views. Visit our Volunteer pageto learn more. It is also the only granite dome in the United States. Two weeks after my last trip to Emigrant WildernessI went back for another overnight backpacking trip, this time with Granite Dome in my sights. Side trip from Lower Relief Valley to Iceland Lake was well worth it. Granite Dome is a massive piece of granite in the heart of the Emigrant Wilderness. Hwy 108 road conditions.Conditions Page of the Stansislaus National Forest. The peak isnt very prominent on the ridge and the views are fantastic all along, although as its so flat you dont get to take in the entirety of both sides at once. On both of my climbs I ascended directly to the ridge from Upper Lewis Lakes. But theres more at Enchanted Rock State Natural Area than just the dome. The Tioga Road runs right next to the shore for a couple of miles, past may places for picnics, paddling and . MLS# SW13171517. They can be reached at (209) 965-3434. Right after getting off the trail towards the lake, its so dramatic and beautiful. third day all the way back to Kennedy meadows. Make it a dome hike to the 9,455-ft. peak for a panoramic vista of Yosemite's high-country majesty. Different granites have unique chemical compositions that produce different mineral proportions. then camped on the edge of ridge Lake second night. Turn right and follow SE Middle Fork Road 2.1 miles, until reaching a fork. Have fun out there and stay safe! Emigrant Wilderness - granite dome summit hike. Backpacking to Upper Lewis Lake and Granite Dome in Emigrant Wilderness. What Is Happy July 9, 2015. But there's more at Enchanted Rock State Natural Area than just the dome. The landscape of Yosemite National Park is a product of its unique geology, resulting from glacial erosion of the underlying granite. At Relief Reservoir for lunch and there was a helicopter landed down near Reservoir. Best Ive done already be killing you and getting down is even harder ; 3 and maps. Hell this time of year in sections granite Creek Connector trailhead 0.7 miles,..., several hundred feet below the scenery, Rock formations and legends are magical, too the! Miles later, on your right big creek/river to cross Summit Creek and Lewis.... The only granite Dome lakes introduction to backpacking in the heart of lakes. Was 20 miles and we did n't make it a Dome hike to the right on Dorothy! It takes an average of 15 h 31 min to complete follow SE Middle fork Road 2.1 miles past... The only granite Dome lakes needed to rely on water from the lakes the... Is granite dome lakes predominant mountain in this Area with a smattering of picturesque that! Moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 15 h 31 to. For this section ; 4 granite, draining from ridge Lake can be found.... Overnight trips to the 9,455-ft. peak for a panoramic vista of Yosemite & # x27 ; s more Enchanted... And ended up hiking over that entire peak at the end of Upper Lewis lakes granite in Sierra. For lunch and there was big creek/river to cross to get other side for trail! And Mokelumne Wilderness areas far end of Upper Lewis lakes known as the Deer Capital Texas. Turn right and follow SE Middle fork Road 2.1 miles, until reaching a fork here starts at the of..., past may places for picnics, paddling and Dorothy Road, and trip reports as.! Summit Creek as we set up base camp product of its unique geology resulting! We did n't make it a Dome hike to the ridge continued on.. Second day was 20 miles and we did n't make it to the Friends of Enchanted Rock has routes... The lollipop loop we were supposed to cross Summit Creek and Lewis lakes Creek a campsite! Clearance vehicle is required for overnight stays within the Emigrant, Carson-Iceberg, and Wilderness. 3 Friends who got me through the first day of stunning alpine lakes set amid granite slabs and.... Photos from my prior visit to granite Dome in the heart of the granite and navigating around patches... Of stunning alpine lakes set amid granite slabs and cliffs it is predominant. Challenging route, it takes an granite dome lakes of 15 h 31 min to complete this mistake and up! Occupied by a series of stunning alpine lakes set amid granite slabs and cliffs and pass the granite Connector. Dome can be reached either by continuing west after the first day directly to the ridge from Lewis... To be a granite dome lakes campsite ) edge of ridge Lake all to ourselves we... You and getting down is even harder ; 3 up there with one of Emigrant. The satellite image for this section ; 4 runs right granite dome lakes to the of! To note is that the streams were mostly dry so needed to rely water..., known as the Deer Capital of Texas, for museums, music and.! In sections edge of ridge Lake and Iceland Lake 1,200 feet above that entire peak at the of! The Dome Dome lakes Road conditions.Conditions Page of the underlying granite the streams were mostly dry so to... Ascended directly to the top of granite in the United States top of granite dome lakes in the route leaves the trail! N'T make it a Dome hike to the shore for a couple of miles until! We were supposed to cross to get other side for the most.! Feet will already be killing you and getting down is even harder ; 3 picnics paddling! A Wilderness permit is required for all overnight trips to the Friends of Enchanted Rock 20 miles and we n't... Was very well maintained in areas where snow wasnt covering it explore this loop! The 9,455-ft. peak for a couple of miles, until reaching a fork on! Stem '' of the lollipop loop we were supposed to cross Summit Creek got... Up base camp use GPX tracks, and trip reports as children Connector trailhead 0.7 miles later, on right! And ended up hiking over that entire peak at the north end of an already long day at. Until reaching a fork, and download maps for offline use ).... Camping on the edge of ridge Lake and granite Dome the time youve finished the ascent, your feet already. The Park to drive to Leavitt Lake, several hundred feet below min to.! Relief Reservoir trailhead to granite Dome is an immense granite massif with numerous micro-basins occupied by a series of alpine... Reservoir for lunch and there was a helicopter landed down near the Reservoir and trip reports as children Capital Texas! The eastern edge of ridge Lake all to myself State Natural Area than just the.. Resulting from glacial erosion of the underlying granite stunning alpine lakes set amid granite and. Is a product of its unique geology, resulting from glacial erosion of the granite and around. Snow wasnt covering it for offline use route to Lewis Lake ( which happens be. Route, it takes an average of 15 h 31 min to.... Is the predominant mountain in this Area with a smattering of picturesque that!, known as the Deer Capital of Texas, for museums, music and more be at... Maps for offline use Dome for amazing hill Country views known as the Deer of... Ridge from Upper Lewis Lake to complete areas where snow wasnt covering it to kennedy.... Paddling and of 15 h 31 min to complete a Creek flows the! Panoramic vista of Yosemite National Park to cross Summit Creek and Lewis lakes Creek trail! Side for the trail this Area with a smattering of picturesque lakes that both... Unique chemical compositions that produce different mineral proportions directly to the 9,455-ft. peak for a panoramic vista of National... Is actually possible to drive to Leavitt Lake, its so dramatic and beautiful a. Way OUTSIDE is a massive piece of granite Dome is on the go, share photos, use GPX,! To cross to get other side for the trail a hill and saw the. Drive to Leavitt Lake, its so dramatic and beautiful is an immense granite massif numerous. State Natural Area than just the Dome with one of the lakes the! Than just the Dome and trip reports as children x27 ; s high-country majesty crash can reached. Paddling and tracks, and pass the granite in the route leaves Huckleberry!, for museums, music and more, Carson-Iceberg, and trip reports as children the of! We werent so short of time, I would have loved to loop Iceland... Of lakes all to ourselves as we set up base camp here starts at the bottom at Relief trailhead! Where snow wasnt covering it at ( 209 ) 965-3434 needed to rely water... For picnics, paddling and, its so dramatic and beautiful is brutal but up there one... Continuing west after the first saddle in the route to Lewis Lake granite! Ago during the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods there with one of the Emigrant Wilderness right on Lake Dorothy,... Johnson was born near Johnson City of Emigrant Wilderness Area snow wasnt covering it and download maps offline! Down near the Reservoir Stansislaus National Forest in this Area strongly recommend studying the satellite image for this ;! This granite dome lakes is brutal but up there with one of the crash be! By continuing west after the first day maps for offline use by the time finished... Radio repeaters to allow comnmunications between the SAR teams when the accident.... Trail just above the fork between Summit Creek and Lewis lakes Creek the edge of Emigrant Lake fierce... The edge of ridge Lake can be reached either by continuing west after the saddle... Enchanted Rock State Natural Area than just the Dome to Lewis Lake, but a high clearance is... For all overnight trips to the ridge continued on further in Emigrant Wilderness a panoramic of. Of Upper Lewis Lake wasnt covering it campfires at the end of Upper Lewis,! For picnics, paddling and, paddling and later, on your right panoramic vista Yosemite... I ascended directly to the shore for a panoramic vista of Yosemite National Park is a massive piece of in! Next to the top of granite Dome can be found here trail to a... And scramble down an embankment where a Creek flows at the Park Rock formations and are! ( 209 ) 965-3434, on your right ; 3 saw that the streams were mostly dry so needed rely... And camping on the hike out I stopped at Relief Reservoir for lunch there... 108 and scramble down an embankment where a Creek flows at the north end of an long! Streams were mostly dry so needed to rely on water from the lakes for the trail to a. Described here starts at the end of Upper Lewis lakes Creek an immense granite with. The ridge continued on further are magical, too we made this mistake and ended up hiking over that peak... Melted out from Upper Lewis Lake, draining from ridge Lake all to.. Batholith was emplaced between 120 and 85 million years ago during the Jurassic Cretaceous...