Dates: August 30 - September 1, 2025
I spent the Labor Day weekend backpacking with some new friends out in the Emigrant Wilderness, doing a 38 mile clockwise loop around Granite Dome, starting and ending at Kennedy Meadows (AllTrails). This was my first time in Emigrant Wilderness and the landscapes did not disappoint. With the self-issue, no limit permits, I will definitely be back here.
Day 1: Kennedy Meadows to Sheep Camp (9.6 miles, +3000 ft elevation gain)
We left the Bay Area around 5:30 AM and got to the trailhead just past 9 AM after a quick stop at the Summit Ranger station to pick up a permit. Most of the first day was uphill, passing by the Relief Reservoir and heading up the canyon along the Huckleberry Trail to Sheep Camp. We got a taste of all the classic Sierra views that would continue into the next two days: lush forests, hints of meadows, and the never-ending granite walls and staircases. We had sunny skies with small patches of clouds throughout the entire holiday weekend.
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| Hiking past the Relief Reservoir. |
Sheep Camp was a nice place to set up for the night; there were several other groups there but it was not too crowded. Water access here was no problem with the creek running right through the middle.
