The Lakes Trail between Emerald and Heather Lake, Trail Map of Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks: Generals Highway. First campsite - Summit Lake (7.6 miles). The Pear Lake Ski Hut (also known as Pear Lake Winter Hut) was built in Sequoia National Park by the Civilian Conservation Corps during 1939-1941 using local Sierra granite and timber materials. Sequoia Parks Conservancy, the official 501(c)(3) nonprofit partner of Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks (National Park Service) and Lake Kaweah (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers), uses tax-deductible contributions to support these parks. Wilderness permits for the following trails are issued by Sequoia National Forest. The hut sleeps ten people and offers many amenities to lighten your load. The scenery gradually improves as a rushing creek comes into earshot and the the trail crosses a small meadow. Moderate climb. Aloha Lake is one of the most popular backpacking trips in Desolation Wilderness, CA. 37 to 47 at 8000 feet. Today the sun was out in full force, and the same moody trail we hiked yesterday had an entirely different feel. The next morning we slept in a little before wandering around the shore of the lake one last time before leaving. Admittedly it’s a somewhat challenging four miles, but this is still the most popular high country hike in Sequoia National Park. Amazingly there are still trees, though, especially around the campsites. The permit is only for overnight backpackers, day hikers do not need a permit! Only a six mile hike past an epic lookout overlooking a large granite valley and four gorgeous alpine lakes? Built by the Civilian Conservation Corp starting 1939 this stone and log hut stands as one of the few historic buildings still used for winter recreation inside a … Less than 10 miles roundtrip, the Duck Lake is the perfect overnight backpacking trip to experience classic Sierra lakes and mountains. A spur trail to the left descends to the ranger station, which is another handsome stone structure set next to a sort of mini-waterfall where a creek cascades over some low step-like rock formations. Backpacking the Lakes Trail Overnight to Pear Lake — Sequoia National Park, CA, Backpacking Fontanillis Lake to Dicks Peak — Desolation Wilderness, CA, Sequoia Kings Canyon wilderness permit info here, 2020 Backpacking Permit Deadlines for California and More, 2019 Deadlines for CA Backpacking Permits You Don't Want To Miss, Backpacking the High Sierra Trail in 6 Days, High Sierra Trail Day 6 — Guitar Lake to Mt. Today 11 Dec Sequoia Kings. The final 0.6 miles to Pear Lake climbs a little, passing over a field of boulders to the edge of the water, at elevation 9,550 feet. Some of the pines that manage to grow on the rocky hills are Foxtail Pines, a rare treeline species that can live for thousands of years and is related to the Bristlecone Pine, the world’s oldest tree. Wildflowers, granite peaks, and a vast, sweeping landscape, made this section of the hike one of my favorites in recent memory. I love the look of the rock slabs sloping straight into the brilliant blue waters. We started off on the trail, which made switchbacks through the forest and slowly gained elevation. Turn left at the trail to Pear Lake. Here you'll find blog posts about some of my favorite backpacking and travel adventures. Aron Bosworth Sitting at 9,200 feet in a rugged alpine basin within Sequoia National Park, Pear Lake Ski Hut is the highest, and arguably the nicest, of California's winter backcountry huts. Shutterstock On Sunday, the Rangers recovered the body of 29-year-old Eric Juliani of New Jersey. On our way there, we also passed over Aster Lake (9,101’), a deep dark lake fed by Emerald Lake. Sequoia National Forest. After the campground, the trail begins climbing again. The one-room (maybe two) hut is closed in the summer, but from December 15 to April 9 hardy skiers can apparently stay overnight by reservation. Foot traffic on the trail seems to drop off at this point and you’re not likely to see anyone until you reach Pear Lake. At the next intersection, you can either take the "Watchtower" route to the left or the "Hump" route to the right. This was the hardest part of the trail, as we actually lost some elevation heading down towards Emerald, and now had to climb up the steepest part around a bend to get to Pear Lake! The beginning portion of this trail is nothing particularly special, but the forest did have that distinct dry and brown Sequoia forest feel, and I love the way forests like these smell - dry and cedar-like! No wonder this trail is so popular that it’s the only backpacking route in Sequoia Kings Canyon National Park that is only first-come-first-serve and doesn’t accept reservations. Nestled up in the mountains at 9,200 feet, the Pear Lake Winter Hut offers access to the pristine winter wilderness of Sequoia National Park. For some reason there’s no camping at Heather Lake. Pear Lake is located in about 4-mi (6.4-km) from the Wolverton trailhead in Sequoia National Park. Long Meadow Trail: Begins at the Mountain Home trailhead. There are also decent vault toilets and bear boxes at both (2019 update - these boxes can be locked and unavailable for use at any time, so it might be best to check before you go, or just always count on bringing your own bear canister). Since the trail is entirely downhill back to the car, we made great timing and were back at our cars within three hours. Summary: I went on a solo backpacking trip in Sequoia National Park. The trail switchbacks up the hill, then passes through two vertiginous stretches where it’s carved into the side of a steep granite hill. The trail climbs over a low rise. Lakes Trail in Sequoia National Park: Pear Lake Backpacking - See 159 traveler reviews, 109 candid photos, and great deals for Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park, CA, at Tripadvisor. Pear Lake. There are climpses of the hills and granite outcroppings across the Tokopah Valley. I can see why this Sequoia National Park trail is so popular - you get four alpine lakes and the Watchtower views all in an overnight trip. Even though this route is 0.4 miles longer we thought it would have better views. You can only see the back of the watchtower and it’s nothing special; of more interest is the expansive view of Tokopah Falls from above. The sheer ridge almost looks like the side of a jigsaw puzzle, with lots of jagged, dramatic pieces jutting straight up. I think this trail makes the perfect intro to backpacking for any beginner, or anyone looking for a short backpacking trip near the Bay Area, CA. Map is part of the Trail Map of Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks: Generals Highway (Redwood Hikes Press, 2013). Wilderness permits are required year-round for all overnight trips in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks' wilderness. On Day #2 I hiked cross-country to Moose Lake and stayed the night. FILE: Skiers on their way toward the Pear Lake cabin in Sequoia National Park in 2015. Here’s the trailhead location in Google Maps. For overnight, you'll need to get a permit but there are beautiful camping spots available at both Emerald Lake and Pear Lake. During our 3 day trip, we also hiked up to the summit of Mt. Vanessa standing at the base of the Watchtower spine. Curving around a ridge, the trail offers some nice views of the Watchtower and the Tokopah valley. Click map to show all roads and trails The other lakes are somewhat more barren-looking, being surrounded mostly by bare granite. Begin your trip at 7,200 feet at Wolverton and ascend a steep six miles east to the Pear Lake area of 9,200 feet. The trail is about 4 to 6 feet wide so it doesn’t seem especially dangerous on dry late-summer days, but you wouldn’t want to be here when it’s covered with ice or snow. Outside the quota season (September 20, 2020 – May 28, 2021), Wilderness permits are free, self-issued, and are not limited to daily entry quotas.Self-issue wilderness permits are available at the nearest permit-issuing station.There is no fee for self-issue permits. © From here, you’ll climb nearly 1,000 feet along Wolverton Creek and a million-year-old moraine deposited by the Tokopah Glacier. ), Click here for a list of all important CA backpacking permit deadlines you won’t want to miss. Location: Sequoia National Park - Wolverton to Pear Lake via Lakes Trail, then cross-country to Moose Lake . As you begin your ascent, there are phenomenal vistas over Aster Lake with views of the Watchtower in the distance. More Heather Lake, Emerald Lake, and Pear Lake Trail via Watchtower and Pear Lake Trails is a 11.8 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Three Rivers, California that features a lake and is rated as difficult. 800-715-HIKE 9-4:30 Every Day Wildland Wires Sign Up! The Lakes Trail (also known as Pear Lake Trail) in Sequoia National Park, California - 6 mile route leading to Heather, Emerald, Aster and Pear Lakes, in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. I finally got the chance to backpack to Pear Lake, the final destination six miles in on the Lakes Trail. Pear Lake Winter Hut. Once we reached Heather Lake (9,265’), it was only a mile more until Emerald Lake. So pick a promising day and get an early start to enjoy this gorgeous place. Two miles from Pear Lake, we arrived at Heather Lake just in time to see a guy dive head first into the brisk water! The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from June until October. On Day #1 (8/26/09) I hiked from the Wolverton trailhead to Pear Lake and stayed the night. After we warmed up under the sun a little, we started our journey back out. This trail starts at Wolverton Meadow (7,200 feet elevation) and climbs 2,000 feet over six steep miles of snow-covered trail until you reach Pear Lake. It is an example of the National Park Service Rustic style, using rough masonry and a log roof structure. The main trail continues to climb up to Pear Lake, crossing the most barren, rocky landscape of the hike. Trip Report By. We were making great time, so we decided to take the longer Watchtower route again. An amazing overnight hike to Pear Lake in Sequoia National Park, one of the Sierra's most popular weekend destinations. The lakes are best visited on a long day hike. Our entire jaunt into the mountains took exactly 24 hours, and there is nothing like an overnight backpacking trip to make you feel like you had such a productive weekend! They can be reached at (559) 784-1500. What to eat while backpacking? The expansive granite basin views surrounding each lake made it worth braving the brisk late-season temperatures! Hike to Pear Lake. Here are some of my favorite snacks, breakfasts, lunch, and dinner meal ideas for your next backcountry trip, Outdoor gear is not cheap, so here are a couple of tips I’ve found that have helped me save a little on gear, Here's our 10 day road trip itinerary along with things to do on New Zealand's south island to help you plan your trip. GADS Hiked Aug 6, 2004. Climbing into a stark granite landscape studded with glacially-formed lakes, the Pear Lake Trail offers some real alpine scenery that’s only about four miles from the Wolverton trailhead. Admittedly it’s a somewhat challenging four miles, but this is still the most … The trip to the hut is for experienced backcountry skiers under potentially dangerous, winter conditions. Over higher Elevations, northwest Winds 25 to 30 Mph with Gusts to around 50 Mph in the morning. In total, the hike in took us around 5.5 hours, which included plenty of stops to take photos and explore the Watchtower. The steep six-mile trail begins at Wolverton and gains 2,000 feet in elevation to reach the Pear Lake area. The Watchtower route continues to climb through pine forest, finally breaking out of the woods right at the point where it reaches the Watchtower. Mostly sunny. Climbing into a stark granite landscape studded with glacially-formed lakes, the Pear Lake Trail offers some real alpine scenery that’s only about four miles from the Wolverton trailhead. The lakes are best visited on a long day hike. Print. Sequoia High Sierra - Pear Lake is a 12.4 mile hike with 2,750 feet elevation gain. This time we got to take our time and enjoy the views of Tokopah Valley from this exposed section of the trail. Advance reservations are required. The next part of the hike is one of my favorites, as the trail hugs the side of the cliff and continues climbing above the valley below. Beautiful Pear Lake, a 1.1 miles past Emerald, is set amid a world of glacial polished granite slabs and cliffs framed by Alta Peak to the south. Price — Desolation Wilderness, CA, Zebra Slot Canyon - Grand Staircase-Escalante NM, UT. Highs 44 to 54 at 5000 feet. Price. As we started to see Pear Lake (9,544’), the clouds also happened to clear, and we were finally able to see the tops of the surrounding mountains, … Since this trail is normally walk up only, I had to wait until after the permit season ended, which was September 22nd for this year (Sequoia Kings Canyon wilderness permit info here). You can really sense how small your are standing are you are hiking through this section of the park. The shortest and easiest route to the lakes is via the Lakes Trail, which shares the same parking lot as the Alta Peak Trailhead. So pick a promising day and get an early start to enjoy this gorgeous place. The advanced level ski/snowshoe trail offers a chance to explore the beautiful wilderness of the Sierra Nevada mountains during the winter months with a cozy cabin waiting for you at the end of your day. Pear Lake is the largest lake of the bunch, evident by its small mouth that expands into a bigger area. Heather Lake is, I think, the most attractive (if also the most ordinary) of the lakes in this area, since it’s pleasantly wooded. Award-winning Sequoia - Kings Canyon Hiking Tours: Alta Meadows and Pear Lake backpacking trip! They lack the distinctive gnarled appearance seen elsewhere, maybe because they’re sheltered in this valley. The trail is rocky and can be a little slow to negotiate. About 1.5 miles from the split, we reached a clearing in the forest and suddenly found ourselves on the edge of a large cliff and an insane view of the mountain range in the distance. The Lakes Trail to Pear Lake can be done as either an overnight stay or a day hike. As sun began to set, some fog began to drift into the valley, filling the basin with mist that lit up as the sun began to glow orange and red. The views all along this rim were spectacular, and looking down at the sheer, almost overhung, drop off below us definitely got our blood pumping! Read About these trails in our Hiking Guide We had a fantastic 5 night backpack trip in Sequoia National Park. The famed and historical Pear Lake Hut is owned and operated by Sequoia Natural History Association and located inside Sequoia National Park. 6.4 miles from the trailhead, we finally arrived right as the golden light started to hit the top of the mountains and create the most perfect reflection in Pear Lake, the largest lake in the area. The Watchtower route is far more interesting, and quite a bit easier too. Hike past three stunning alpine lakes and take in expansive granite views before reaching your prize, Pear Lake. July and August are the b There are several bear boxes at the start of the trail for you to store any scented items so you don’t leave them in your car. Sequoia National Park, Tablelands cross country wandering, Pear Lake trail & California. The Zebra Slot Canyon is one of my favorite hikes in the Grand Staircase-Escalante area. Beautiful Pear Lake, a 1.1 miles past Emerald, is set amid a world of glacial polished granite slabs and cliffs framed by Alta Peak to the south. As we continued our hike to Pear Lake, the trail became rockier, and the views more incredible. Check the park’s trail conditions web page before hiking. This means packing out all your trash, only camping in designated sites, and not cutting switchbacks. Early on in the trail we walked right by a group of five deer grazing calmly only about 15 feet from the trail! The Watchtower Trail is closed in the winter and the trail can be covered with snow well into summer. Share. Tagged: Sequoia Kings Canyon National Park, backpacking, trip report, Sierras, lakes, SoCal, I'm Alice, a weekend hiker and outdoor adventurer based out of the Bay Area in California. After shooting plenty of pictures and exploring the area, we noticed the low-lying clouds drifting in quickly and decided to get moving towards the lakes. The one thing missing from this trail are sweeping mountainous views; the trail never climbs out of the Tokopah Valley and the views are mostly limited to the valley. Permits are only first come first serve, and they are available beginning at 1pm the day before your hike at the Lodgepole Visitor Center (I suggest arriving a little earlier to get in line! Alas, that last mile is all uphill; but, thankfully, it’s a mild grade. The Lakes Trail shortly before Heather Lake. Fortunately for those who have to take the Hump route, the best scenery doesn’t come until after the two trails re-join. Exploring the shore of Pear Lake in the morning. 1.75 miles in, we reached the first trail split. Soon the trail reaches the junction with the Hump route, and shortly after that, the trail curves around Heather Lake. At both Emerald and Pear Lake, you are only allowed to camp in numbered sites to reduce the human impact all the foot traffic this place sees. Sign up with your email address to receive occasional updates of new blog posts. Gusts up to 45 Mph in the morning. The red, smooth, striped walls make for unique photo opportunities. It’s a nice location but I’m not sure why it’s called a ranger station, since there aren’t any actual rangers there. However, it’s often closed as late as July due to persistent snow on its shady north-facing slopes. Pear Lake. We enjoyed a snack here and spotted so many fish in the clear green waters. All three major water basins on this route—Pear Lake, Emerald Lake, and Heather Lake—are surrounded by stunning alpine scenery. It’s the most stark and otherworldly of the lakes on this trail and although it’s actually a fairly popular destination, it feels very remote. The trail then descends toward the Emerald Lake campground, which has an exceptionally picturesque outhouse, a handsome stone structure set on a low rise among the alpine scenery. As we started to see Pear Lake (9,544’), the clouds also happened to clear, and we were finally able to see the tops of the surrounding mountains, giving us a true scale of how enormous the basin was. Type of Hike Day hike. 9/8/2015 Destination: Pear Lake (via Watchtower Trail) Elevation: 9,600 ft Distance: 13 miles round trip Elevation gain: 2,200 ft Fish Creek Trail: Begins at the Jerkey Meadow trailhead. Whitney, High Sierra Trail Day 5 — Junction Meadow to Guitar Lake, High Sierra Trail Day 4 — Moraine Lake to Junction Meadow, High Sierra Trail Day 3 — Hamilton Lake to Moraine Lake, High Sierra Trail Day 2 — 9 Mile Creek to Hamilton Lake, High Sierra Trail Day 1 — Crescent Meadow to 9 Mile Creek, How to Plan Transportation for the High Sierra Trail, General Sherman Tree & Moro Rock - Sequoia Kings Canyon, CA, Mitchell Peak Day Hike — Sequoia and Kings Canyon, CA, Backpacking Roads End to Paradise Valley — Sequoia and Kings Canyon, CA, How I Save Money on Camping and Hiking Gear, New Zealand South Island 10 Day Roadtrip Itinerary for the Outdoor Lover, Backpacking Duck Lake Pass Trail — Mammoth, CA, Backpacking Lake Aloha to Mt. Make a right .1 mile later at the Lodgepole Trail junction to continue on the Lakes Trail. Ascend a steep six miles in on the trail reaches the junction with the Hump route, the... 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