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

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http://www.bewilder.camp/itineraries/stanislaus-national-forest-bear-lake-quartz-mountain

Last updated

March 8, 2022

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

Prep Itinerary Gear Food

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

Check the weather

Reserve your campsite

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Itinerary

Day One

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. 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 :)