The Best Backpacking in Pinecrest

Pinecrest Peak Trail is a loop trail that takes you by a lake located near Pinecrest, California.

The campground operates on a first come, first serve basis and is typically open from May - September. Each campsite is equipped with a picnic table and a fire ring. The campground provides potable water and bathrooms. The fee is $10/night for a single family site, or $25/night for a group site. ...

Grouse Lake and Mud Lake is a loop trail that takes you by a waterfall located near Pinecrest, California.

Crabtree Trail to Bear Lake is an out-and-back trail that takes you through a nice forest located near Mi Wuk Village, California.

Start by picking up your wilderness permit at the Summit Ranger Station near Pinecrest - (209) 965-3434. There's no quota for this area, so no need for reservations in advance. To reach the trailhead, make your way south from the Ranger Station and turn left onto Crabtree Rd. Drive along this ro...

Lower Emigrant Wilderness Shorter Loop is a loop trail that takes you by a lake located near Pinecrest, California.

Chewing Gum Lakes is located in Emigrant Wilderness, South of Lake Tahoe and North of Yosemite, with stunning valley views and gorgeous granite faces, peaking through the tree lines of the Stanislaus National Forest. Sitting just north of Yosemite allows you to take in a portion of the beauty of ...

This trip begins at ~7500 feet at the Box Springs Trailhead This trail is at the end of Forest Route 3N20Y. The trail, which is not regularly maintained and may at times be hard to follow, initially descends slightly to 7300', then stays mostly flat before rising just before the lakes. You will p...

Getting There Take 108 to Pinecrest Lake to pick up a free backcountry permit at the Summit Ranger Station. (If you reach Strawberry you've gone too far.) Continue past Beardsley Lake to Clark's Fork Road on the left. Cross two bridges and Forest Route 6N06 will take you to the trailhead (County ...

The Lower and Upper Relief Valleys are beautiful alpine valleys cut by Relief Creek in the heart of the Emigrant Wilderness and are an excellent alternative to Yosemite National Park if you're looking for solitude and no crowds. The East Flange Rock juts prominently over Lower Relief and is an ea...

Granite Dome is the signature peak in the Emigrant Wilderness, with fantastic views north to the Carson-Iceberg Wilderness, east to the Hoover Wilderness (Sawtooth Ridge), and south to Yosemite including, on a clear day, Cathedral Peak and the Cathedral Range.There are several routes up Granite D...

Kennedy Lake Trail is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a lake located near Pinecrest, California.

Kennedy Meadows to Sheep Camp is an out-and-back trail where you may see beautiful wildflowers located near Pinecrest, California.

Baker Campground is a first come, first serve campground. Each site is equipped with a fire ring, picnic table, and bear boxes. The cost for a single family site is $20 per night and a double family site is $40 per night. The campground provides bathrooms and potable water. The campground is typi...

Lake Alpine and Duck Lake Loop is a 14.8 kilometer moderately trafficked loop trail located near Arnold, California.

This is a long, beautiful snowshoe to a lake that is very accessible in the summer but almost untouched in the winter! There are a couple of ways to access the lake during the winter, but this is the most interesting: Starting at the easternmost sno-park along Highway 4 going east of Bear Valley,...