At 7,800 feet the water is always cold, so don't plan on much swimming! With a number of trails in the area, you’ll find hiking is great fun. Emigrant Lake Trail 17E18. Description. on the Trails. Load More. ... gets much more undulating with some rocky areas and creek beds to cross before climbing up the rest of the way to Emigrant Lake. Fortunately, there were plenty of parking spaces for a Sunday. Caples Lake in the Carson Pass area off Highway 88 is known for fishing, hiking and camping opportunities. Fees: none : Permit Info: Wilderness permit is required for overnight camping. The alarm rang bright and early and the aroma of coffee began to fill the kitchen. Most of the trail is natural with dirt and patches of grass, but you will be climbing over some small rocks and around larger boulders to stay on the upward path toward Emigrant Lake. Fishing. Great photo op here. Caples Lake to Emigrant Lake. The plan was to be on the road before sunrise and catch it somewhere up the hill. We are looking for honest, first-person stories about a trip, vacation, backpacking adventure, car/train/plane ride, overnight visit, or long walk. WHAT: This is a moderately strenuous 8.5 mile, out and back mountain hike from Caples Lake to beautiful Emigrant Lake, near Kirkwood Ski Area. Caples Lake Boat Launch and Day Use is located just off Highway 88 on the North East side of Caples Lake. Along the way, you’ll be sure to find many colorful wildflowers and mushrooms, as well as beautiful, flowing streams (one of them you’ll have to do a bit of rock hopping to reach the other side to continue up the trail!). The Emigrant Lake trailhead is located at Caples Lake off of Hwy 88. EID Operates a new beautifully landscaped launch Speaking of the lake, it is crystal clear, and you can see the reflection of the surrounding Sierra Nevada Mountain Range. A friend and I arrived at the trailhead at Caples Lake at about 10am. © 2020 Wag Labs, Inc. All rights reserved. Caples Lake, an El Dorado Irrigation District (EID) managed reservoir in Alpine County, offers an unbeatable combination of majestic alpine scenery and fine trophy trout fishing. This is an awesome out-and-back hike for the weekend warrior. Immerse yourself with travel stories from France to Uzbekistan to Vietnam, and nearly everywhere else in the world! I finally decided on Caples Lake near Kirkwood, as it’d be far less busy than most areas around South Lake Tahoe. This 4.3 mile trail runs along the lake’s southern shoreline then heads up past streams and cascades to lovely Emigrant Lake, hidden among rocky cliffs and boulders. Even in late August, there was still snow surrounding the shores on the southern end of the lake. Take the Caples Lake to Emigrant Lake Trail on an easy trek of 9 miles. Excited to share the news that @forrestgriffin wil. To get there, take Highway 49 to Placerville where you pick up Highway 50 East to Sly Park Road to Mormon Emigrant Trail/Silver Lake Road. The facility is operated by the El Dorado Irrigation District (EID). Rocky, Steep Inclines, Lake, Mountains, Grassland, Scenic, Waterfall, Wildflowers, Abundant Wildlife. When you reach Emigrant Lake, you will be at 8,600 feet altitude, and this glassy blue lake is almost better than Caples Lake. To get there, take Highway 49 to Placerville where you pick up US 50 East to Sly Park Road to Mormon Emigrant Trail/Silver Lake Road. Right here is the perfect spot to pull out those snacks I mentioned earlier and enjoy the peace and tranquility of the Mokelumne Wilderness! The Carson-Mormon Emigrant Trail passes near the campground. As the trail meanders away from lake, the terrain gets much more undulating with some rocky areas and creek beds to cross before climbing up the rest of the way to Emigrant Lake. At an elevation of 8,602 feet, the lake feels distant from all the worldly noise The first couple of miles follow the shore of the lake. With so much water, it made for lush, verdant terrain. The 4-mile hike up to Emigrant Lake is rewarded with a beautiful alpine setting. A convenient restroom and a large sign marking the trail head set you on your way four-miles back to Emigrant … There are plenty of varieties of fish here, including the brook trout. Carson Pass, South Lake Tahoe Picture: Caples Lake - Check out Tripadvisor members' 7,085 candid photos and videos. Then the trail turns south, climbing 800 feet to Emigrant Lake. This out-and-back hike provides views along the south shore of Caples Lake and traces Emigrant Creek to the beautiful Emigrant Lake. No more than a half mile later, the glistening ripples of Emigrant Lake will be in sight. In only 4 miles you'll move up Emigrant Creek from the popular summer lodge and reservoir to reach Emigrant Lake. So, we took a National Forest volunteer’s recommendation for Emigrant Lake. Visitors to the area enjoy fishing, boating, and hiking. The Drive: Compared to last week’s complicated trek to Traverse Falls, the drive to the Emigrant Lake trailhead is remarkably easy. Emigrant.Lake8.jpg Images from a hike from Caples Lake to Emigrant Lake, near Kirkwood, Ca., on Friday, Oct. 25, 2019. Distance: 8-9 miles roundtrip (out and back). At an elevation of 8,602 feet, the lake feels distant from all the worldly noise Emigrant Lake This was supposed to be an easy hike, at just 8 miles and a difficulty rating of 2 out of 5 in California Hiking. Caples Lake to Emigrant Lake Trail. Bring a leash for your pooch just in case, and you should also bring doggy cleanup bags and extra water for you both. 704 likes. The lake was used as a halting place for wagon travelers who were trekking the historic Mormon Emigrant trail during the Gold Rush. by Torey Phillip on October 24, 2017. Your pooch is welcome off leash if they are under strict control and have excellent recall. The four-mile Caples Lake to Emigrant Lake Trail hike is one of the most gorgeous paths to wander in the Carson Pass Emigrant Trail area. You and Fido will start out at the western end of Caples Lake right off Highway 88 at the dam. Big browns and mackinaw lurk in the clear, pristine waters of Caples. When you are feeling ready to head back, you just follow the same route all the way back. In the past, I never really took advantage of the incredible destinations that are only a short car drive away. We parked at the little lot next … When I arrived at Caples Lake, I was welcomed by some refreshing, crisp temperatures; something I haven’t gotten much of this summer. Trail on an easy trek of 9 miles climb to Emigrant Lake begins at 2.3... Often hiked but is a reservoir that is super dog fur-iendly which you and pup! Popular Alpine Lake is incredibly clear trails where you can get some views... 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