Kennedy Lake Trail and Map

Emigrant Wilderness

photo of Kennedy Lake, Emigrant Wilderness, California
photo of Kennedy Lake, Emigrant Wilderness, California

Kennedy Lake Trail and Map

Emigrant Wilderness


The Trail to Kennedy Lake

Map

Kennedy Lake is a popular short-trip destination. With an abundance of campsites along Kennedy Creek, it rarely feels crowded. The trail climbs 1,500 feet from its Kennedy Meadows trailhead, but with crashing waterfalls, 3 bridges, and soaring peaks, the hike offers plenty to enjoy along the way.

Kennedy Meadows to Kennedy Lake Trail Junction,

2.6 miles

From the resort, cross the meadow to the first bridge and then begin a steep climb along an old road carved out of the mountainside and used to haul materials up to build Relief Dam in the early 1900s. Rusted pieces of equipment still remain along the trail. Cross a second bridge and after a stiff climb, arrive at the turn-off to Kennedy Lake. (The Nightcap Peak Trail, an alternate route, is not recommended.)

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Campsites:

Good campsites are located along the river here. They require some cross-country travel to reach.

Second bridge on trail to Relief Reservoir, Emigrant Wilderness, California

Second Bridge

Trail Junction to Kennedy Lake,

5.1 miles

A short climb and less than a mile on the trail brings you to a bridge marking the beginning of the long valley leading up to Kennedy Lake. The trail stays close to the creek as it climbs gradually, eventually leveling out into meadows. After 3 miles beyond the turnoff onto the Kennedy Lake trail, begin to look for campsites between the trail and Kennedy Creek. Continuing up the trail to the lake is a possibility, but campsites are limited there.

Campsites:

More campsites can be found by crossing the creek in the Soda Canyon area if water levels are safe to ford.


Soda Canyon, Emigrant Wilderness, California

Soda Canyon

Editor's 2 Cents


Water Filters

To avoid the risk of getting sick, most Sierra backpackers filter or treat their drinking water. Sawyer Water Filters are popular because of their light weight and ease of use. Most hikers use the Sawyer. However, the bags they provide have been susceptible to developing leaks. As a backup, some soft-sided water bottles such as the Platypus will thread onto the filter and work just as well. Or for a better system, read below.

First purchase this cheap little popular attachment: Sawyer Products SP150 Coupling which allows users to connect the Sawyer filter directly to a clean water container such as a Platypus or other compatible narrow opening water bottle.

Then, complete the system by purchasing a popular 3L Vecto Water Container by CNOC Outdoors. Use this instead of the leak-prone bags provided by Sawyer for the "dirty" water to be filtered. Fill the bag with creek or lake water and then screw the Vecto bag on the top of the Sawyer filter. Attach a clean water bottle on the bottom of the Sawyer filter (using the coupling) and firmly roll up the Vetco bag, forced the water through the filter. Most thru hikers on the Pacific Crest Trail use this system. Click the link above and watch the How to Use the Vetco video on their website.

The SteriPen uses UV light to kill the germs. The SteriPen Adventurer has become popular because it is more reliable than earlier models.

Those who use the SteriPen, or any other filter system, are wise to carry a backup such as Potable Aqua Water Treatment Tablets.


Editor's 2 Cents


Water Filters

To avoid the risk of getting sick, most Sierra backpackers filter or treat their drinking water. Sawyer Water Filters are popular because of their light weight and ease of use. Most hikers use the Sawyer. However, the bags they provide have been susceptible to developing leaks. As a backup, some soft-sided water bottles such as the Platypus will thread onto the filter and work just as well. Or for a better system, read below.

First purchase this cheap little popular attachment: Sawyer Products SP150 Coupling which allows users to connect the Sawyer filter directly to a clean water container such as a Platypus or other compatible narrow opening water bottle.


Then, complete the system by purchasing a popular 3L Vecto Water Container by CNOC Outdoors. Use this instead of the leak-prone bags provided by Sawyer for the "dirty" water to be filtered. Fill the bag with creek or lake water and then screw the Vecto bag on the top of the Sawyer filter. Attach a clean water bottle on the bottom of the Sawyer filter (using the coupling) and firmly roll up the Vetco bag, forced the water through the filter. Most thru hikers on the Pacific Crest Trail use this system. Click the link above and watch the How to Use the Vetco video on their website.

The SteriPen uses UV light to kill the germs. The SteriPen Adventurer has become popular because it is more reliable than earlier models.

Those who use the SteriPen, or any other filter system, are wise to carry a backup such as Potable Aqua Water Treatment Tablets.


map of trail to Kennedy Lake, Emigrant Wilderness, California

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