The 14-mile hike to Emigrant Lake is a strenuous one-day trek. Most backpackers split the hike into 2 days, picking a campsite at one of the many nice spots along the way.
Kennedy Meadows to Relief Reservoir, 4.2 miles
From Kennedy Meadows Resort, cross the meadow to the first bridge and then begin a steep climb along an old road used to build Relief Dam in the early 1900s. Cross a second bridge and after a stiff climb, pass the turnoff to Kennedy Lake. Continue climbing until the trail levels off and begins to descend along the side of Relief Reservoir.
Good campsites can be found on the shore of the reservoir just beyond the Grouse Creek crossing.
Second Bridge
Relief Reservoir to Sheep Camp, 4.3 miles
From Relief Reservoir soon begin a steady climb of switchbacks, passing the trail junction for Upper Relief Valley and continuing up to Saucer Meadow. At Saucer Meadow the trail joins the old emigrant wagon trail coming down from Brown Bear Pass, although little evidence of the emigrant route remains.
Beyond Saucer Meadow climb steadily through trees and then switchbacks up to the ridge at Sheep Camp. The trail passes through a notch in the rocks at the top and arrives at a broad camping area along the Summit Creek.
Campsites:
Excellent campsites are available for a mile along the creek, the best sites on the open flat where the trail first emerged.
Relief Reservoir from Grouse Creek Campsite
Sheep Camp to Emigrant Lake, 5.5 miles
From Sheep Camp hike through meadows along easy terrain to a turnoff for Mosquito Pass. Climb over the pass and then descend to Emigrant Lake.
Campsites:
Campsites can be found and the upper and lower end of the lake. Sites close to the shore have been closed, but a few small campsites can be found back from the lake along the north shore.
Emigrant Lake
Editor's Corner GPS Devices
GPS Messaging Devices, Personal Locating Beacons (PLB), and Satellite Phones have become common safety devices carried by backpackers. The electronics allow backpackers to communicate with family and friends outside the wilderness and, more importantly, to summon help in an emergency. Since the devices connect with satellites rather than cell towers, they are far more reliable in the back country than cell phones.
Garmin inReach SE
Devices vary in what they can do, ranging from sending simple one-way messages to full 2-way voice conversations on satellite phones. Prices vary accordingly.
GPS Messaging Devices, PLB, and Satellite Phones
Product
Weight
Price
Service Cost1
Prices may vary depending on vendors 1Service Cost can vary greatly based on type of service. Shown above are approximate yearly subscription costs. 2Garmin has a variety of service plans. In recent years the Mini has become popular. 3Service plans for satellite phones vary based on the number of minutes per month.
SPOT Gen 4 Satellite GPS Messenger
4 oz.
$100
$60 per year
Garmin inReach Mini 2
3.5 oz.
$409
$3002
Garmin inReach Explorer
7.5 oz.
$449
$3002
ACR ResQlink 406 PLB
4.6 oz.
$419
None
Iridium Extreme 9575 Satellite Phone
8.6 oz.
$1399
$11404
Pros and Cons
Personal Locator Beacons, such as ACR ResQlink 406 PLB , only summon help by sending your location to rescuers. No two-way communication.
GPS Messaging Devices, such as SPOT Gen 4 Satellite GPS Messenger, can summon help to your location and can send pre-set messages to family or friends. No two-way communication. The Spot X adds two-way communication messaging.
The Garmin inReach Mini 2 can summon help and also send and receive messages. Both Spot and InReach work best when coupled with a smart phone.
Satellite Phones work like cell phones, but are much more reliable in the back country. The Iridium Extreme 9575 Satellite Phone is one of the more popular models of satellite phones. Rent rather than buy.
Editor's Corner GPS Devices
GPS Messaging Devices, Personal Locating Beacons (PLB), and Satellite Phones have become common safety devices carried by backpackers. The electronics allow backpackers to communicate with family and friends outside the wilderness and, more importantly, to summon help in an emergency. Since the devices connect with satellites rather than cell towers, they are far more reliable in the back country than cell phones.
Garmin InReach SE
Devices vary in what they can do, ranging from sending simple one-way messages to full 2-way voice conversations on satellite phones. Prices vary accordingly.
GPS Messaging Devices, PLB, and Satellite Phones
Product
Weight
Price
Service Cost1
Prices may vary depending on vendors 1Service Cost can vary greatly based on type of service. Shown above are approximate yearly subscription costs. 2Garmin has a variety of service plans.In recent years the Mini has become popular. 3Service plans for satellite phones vary based on the number of minutes per month.
SPOT Gen 4 Satellite GPS Messenger
4 oz.
$100
$60 per year
Garmin inReach Mini 2
3.5 oz.
$409
$3002
Garmin inReach Explorer
7.5 oz.
$449
$3002
ACR ResQlink 406 PLB
4.6 oz.
$419
None
Iridium Extreme 9575 Satellite Phone
8.6 oz.
$1399
$11403
Pros and Cons
Personal Locator Beacons, such as ACR ResQlink 406 PLB , only summon help by sending your location to rescuers. No two-way communication.
GPS Messaging Devices, such as SPOT Gen 4 Satellite GPS Messenger, can summon help to your location and can send pre-set messages to family or friends. No two-way communication. The Spot X adds two-way communication messaging.
The Garmin inReach Mini 2 can summon help and also send and receive messages. Both Spot and InReach work best when coupled with a smart phone.
Satellite Phones work like cell phones, but are much more reliable in the back country. The Iridium Extreme 9575 Satellite Phone is one of the more popular models of satellite phones. Rent rather than buy.
