Turn right and follow SE Middle Fork Road 2.1 miles, until reaching a fork. We then bushwhacked its entire length down to where it joins the reservoir no options. The Summit Trail and elevated areas of the park may close during wet or inclement weather. tough day hiking up the granite and navigating around snow patches. More adventurous folks can camp elsewhere on the Dome, exploring Iceland, Sardella, or Ridge Lake, taking an alternate route down to Upper Relief valley and following the trail back to Kennedy Meadows. There are ample climbing routes for all technical abilities, ranging from easy class II scrambles to more technical class V ascents. Ridge Lake is arguably the centerpiece nestled beneath the towering cliffs of Granite Dome with waterfalls splashing down into the lake from the upper reaches of the peak. The trail proceeds slightly above and to the north of Summit Creek. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. BIG BALD ROCK TRAIL CLOSED, 2020-2023. This is a . Morning is my favorite time backpacking, the smell of coffee brewing and the warm cup heating cold hands, the darkness of night fading through deep blue, then orange and yellow, the heat of the first rays of sun as it crests the surrounding mountains, and the anticipation of the day ahead. Follow the ridgeline up and down several hills and false summits, through meadows, massive boulders and Joshua Tree-like columns and pillars till you find the summit and it's weird stagnant pools. The best times to visit this trail are June through October. July average high: 95 degrees. Featured Amenities. then camped on the edge of ridge Lake second night. It's a four for me because the trail is not your normal trail and the horses do make it soft and sand at parts. This is a popular trail for backpacking, camping, and fishing, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. Pay close attention to topography or GPS and you should be able to maintain elevation from the saddle and wind around to an open area which leads straight to the lake. Completely upgraded with wood shutters throughout. Granite Balconies. You have to find a flat spot somewhere above the trail, and those are hard to find. The named lakes of the region include theLewis Lakes (lower, middle, upper), Sardella Lake, Ridge Lake and Iceland Lake with a numerous other smaller tarns. The elevation gain was not particularly kind to me. This geologic process of weathering is called exfoliation, and it still continues through the park today. On July 8th, 2001, a US Navy helicopter crashed near the summit of Granite Dome on the cliffs above Ridge Lake while participating in a search and rescue operation. From Ridge Lake we ascended the rise above Iceland Lake with a gorgeous panorama from yet another balcony. Most of the granite in the Sierra Nevada Batholith was emplaced between 120 and 85 million years ago during the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods. Bring plenty of Deet! On and off the trail to be on trail. Keep below this. The named lakes of the region include the Lewis Lakes (lower, middle, upper), Sardella Lake, Ridge Lake and Iceland Lake with a numerous other smaller tarns. The actual summit of Granite Dome is on the far west side. The granite that composes an individual pluton will have a relatively homogeneous texture and composition, displaying minor variations across its extent. But there's more at Enchanted Rock State Natural Area than just the dome. You can hike, backpack, camp, rock climb, picnic, bird, study nature, geocache and stargaze. Please explore responsibly! My last trip there was a blanket of snow over the mountains but in the time since almost all of it had melted, only remaining in shady or north facing slopes at high elevations. Change). (7), Additions & Corrections Exfoliating granite is a granite undergoing exfoliation, or onion skin weathering (desquamation).The external delaminated layers of granite are gradually produced by the cyclic variations of temperature at the surface of the rock in a process also called spalling. The hiking route described here starts at the north end of Upper Lewis Lake (which happens to be a fantastic campsite). Pay close attention to topography or GPS and you should be able to maintain . then camped on the edge of ridge Lake second night. Absolutely love that area. Scrambling the west side of the lake was a last resort and our best option and let me tell you, it was sketchy at best. Be the first to leave a review! Keep this in mind and dont get discouraged. amazing hike. night 5: Upper Relief Valley - took use trail to the east .2 miles north of the junction - nice wind kept the mosquitoes away most of the day, but they were fierce at dusk when the wind died. Beautiful trail. Next you'll north and the west up the granite slabs towards Sardella Lake. Theres a walkway all along the backside of the dam and you can get to the other side, but I only went to the middle. On 7/2 it was possible to get through by walking on stones, I took off shoes once, but water was only ankles deep. It was mostly dry in the morning but by afternoon it was wet and I had to carefully scoot across while keeping my feet sufficiently out of the water so the swift current would not pull me in! Granite Dome Loop via Kennedy Meadows. All trails close 30 minutes after sunset, except the Loop Trail. Ridge Lake can be reached either by continuing west after the first saddle in the route to Lewis Lake. We instead worked our way above the west side of the lake and followed a lovely line up and over the eastern flank of Granite Dome. Call the Summit ranger station at (209) 965-3434 near Pinecrest ahead of time and they will prepare a permit for you in advance. Print/PDF map. Granite is often said to have a "salt-and-pepper" appearance: the lighter-colored minerals are quartz, potassium feldspar, and plagioclase feldspar, and the darker-colored minerals are mostly biotite and hornblende. Went clockwise and stayed at Sheep Camp, Upper Buck, and then Relief Valley. You'll want to stay to the west of the drainage, as when you reach the "end" of the drainage, you'll see (and hear) where it drops several hundred feet out of the granite, above which is Lower Lewis Lake. A group of plutons that are considered to be part of the same magmatic event and thus related are called intrusive suites. An intriguing masterpiece! Kennedy Meadows to Relief Reservoir Trail, Pacific Crest Trail: Sonora Pass to Latopie Lake, PCT: CA Section J - Sonora Pass to Echo Lake, Kennedy Meadows to Relief Reservoir Loop Trail, Disaster Creek Trail: Iceberg Meadow to Paradise Valley, PCT, Golden Canyon, Wolf Creek Pass, and Disaster Creek Loop, Relief Reservoir, Toejam Lake, Powell Lake. Once we got to the top of the rocks we headed left/east to a very gradual section to reach the ridge. Visit our Volunteer pageto learn more. https://www.fs.usda.gov/detailfull/stanislaus/specialplaces/?cid=stelprdb5361242&width=full, https://www.fs.usda.gov/detailfull/eldorado/specialplaces/?cid=fsbdev7_019058&width=full. We had complete panoramic views of Emigrant Wilderness. Granite Dome Lakes. This page goes into more detail on the off-trail routes to each lake. Trip report for Iceland and Ridge Lakes. * Kennedy Meadows and Relief Reservoir trailhead to Granite Dome Lakes. (LogOut/ more information on current conditions Granitic rocks of the Yosemite Valley area, California, Plutonism in the Central Part of the Sierra Nevada Batholith, California, The Geologic Story of Yosemite National Park, Sierra Nevada Batholith Geologic Map Mosaic, Yosemites Iconic El Capitan Mapped in Hi-Res 3-D. You can buy wood for campfires at the park. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 15 h 31 min to complete. Between 2011 and 2013, a team of geologists completed the first geologic map of this sheer face. [49 MB PDF], Sierra Nevada Batholith Geologic Map Mosaic. * After circling the loop and just before rejoining the "stem" of the lollipop loop we were supposed to cross Summit Creek. The Young Lakes Loop Trail is an awesome adventure in Yosemite National Park that delivers epic vistas of the granite bluffs and alpine lakes that adorn the landscape. first night near relief Reservoir after setting off at 8pm. Several false summits are passed on what feels like a long ridge traverse before the highpoint is reached. Saint Helens and Mt. Learn about this colorful Texan at the Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park. This lake holds stunning views and sits just under the sheer walls of Granite Dome. Generally considered a challenging route. ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. There also some nice greenery directly between it and the saddleback that youd pass back through as well if you went that route (Ill upload a screenshot with some markups to photos). Download the official NPS app before your next visit. For those wishing to visit the largest of the Polly Dome Lakes, look for an unofficial trail on the right (east) before a large granite outcropping. For the most part the granite is huge, smooth, and gently sloping, with a few boulder fields near to the cliffs below the ridge. night 2: layover at summit creek (did a day trip up to ridge lake) From here theres probably many different options for climbing up to the lakes below Granite Dome, but I chose to follow the trail up to Lower Relief Valley and follow the drainage up from there. Brand New - Never Before Lived In. It is the predominant mountain in this area with a smattering of picturesque lakes that provide both excellent camping and fishing opportunities. third day all the way back to Kennedy meadows. After following a few creekbeds, the trial eventually pokes up into the alpine within a large canyon. Regardless of destination, this section of trail involves detailed route finding based on topography. The off-trail travel is fairly easy with navigation on friendly granite slabs. 5 days / 4 nights, fantastic lakes + Sierra meadows, mosquitoes not too bad (early August after a dry winter). A grand heritage oak in every sense. Overnight parking at the resort lot is $10/night and can be paid at the resort lobby. Youll save a heap of time cutting this corner. This tremendous vista is one of my favorites. The Capitol dome is the largest dome by volume in the United States and one of the largest in the world. The creek cuts down layers of gently sloping granite, draining from Ridge Lake and Iceland Lake 1,200 feet above. Iceland Lake was the most scenic campground in my opinion! Download the satellite image layer and follow a course through as many trees and green areas as possible. In fact, on separate holiday weekend trips we had Iceland and Lewis Lakes all to ourselves. Just don't expect a pristine trail and you'll be fine - it is rocky and there is certainly poop on the trail but it's no big deal and in fact the horse-folks were nothing but polite and encouraging. It was very enjoyable even with the bushwacking. TUOLUMNE MEADOWS AREA It gets better the deeper you go. In fact, granitic rocks are generally classified by their mineral proportions and given names such as granite, granodiorite, tonalite, and diorite. The geology of the Highland Lakes is approximately 1.4 billion years old. We will match your abilities to our many needs. The Lower and Upper Relief Valleys are beautiful alpine valleys cut by Relief Creek in the heart of the Emigrant Wilderness and are an excellent alternative to Yosemite National Park if you're looking for solitude and no crowds. - third day ~10 mi, back to the free parking lot. The hike itself is not long (only about 2.5 miles round trip) but it takes time to find a safe route up and go around sheer walls. At this point I thought we must be close to the summit but thats not the case! Intrusive suites typically are emplaced over about 10 million years and are often interpreted as being the roots of a single volcanic system. In fact, it has been speculated that this voluminous volcanism may have contributed to the mass extinction during the middle of the Cretaceous period during which most large marine dinosaurs (such as ichthyosaurs and plesiosaurs) perished. we didn't go to the top of granite dome. Different granites have unique chemical compositions that produce different mineral proportions. It is an elongated area that extends northeast about 25 miles (40 km) in length and up to 15 miles (24 km) in width. At the top of this saddle is little Sardella Lake, a morale-boosting milestone that means you are just a short hike from spectacular Upper Lewis Lake. The primary objective in route finding on this terrain is to avoid steeper sections of granite that can become cliffs. didn't have too much trouble crossing the river - would recommend closer to the Kennedy meadows end before the river splits into two. We tried to do it as an overnight trip but I think it would be better as a 2 night trip, as we logged about 30 miles over the two days. Our second day was 20 miles and we didn't make it to the top of Granite dome. We stayed: pantilat September 23, 2014. Amazing views and lakes, but difficult navigating. Please bring your own drinking water, as it is in short supply due to the ongoing drought. After the ~ 9000' section, which was covered in snow, we descended into mosquitoville. Intense whitewater everywhere, neck-deep. [15 MB PDF], The Geologic Story of Yosemite National Park by N. King Huber, 1987, U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin 1595. Landmarks: . We hiked toward Buck Lake and ran into not only mosquitos but a May Fly hatch along the west end of Emmigrant Lake. There are also some extreme creek/river crossing as well that are to be expected in the early summer season. I couldnt see any people and it didnt look like a SAR helicopter. Head up the granite to the right (west) and you'll drop down onto Lower Lewis Lake. The crux of the trip was crossing Summit Creek which was raging like a river. All our fish were caught in the creek. The massive pink granite dome rising above Central Texas has drawn people for thousands of years. Good but hidden campsite near the west end of Emigrant Lake Side was mosquito-free. At these depths, magma is insulated by the rocks around it and cools very slowly, growing large interlocking crystals. Enjoy this 21.2-mile out-and-back trail near Pinecrest, California. Take this detour eastwards for about 1/2 mile over downed trees and boulders. We crested a hill and saw that the ridge continued on further. There are also minor amounts of various accessory minerals such as titanite and zircon. Granite Dome was an amazing weekend destination, but it was pretty enough that I could easily have spent a few days in the vicinity. . The lakes areset amid granite cliffs that afford stunning vistas of the pristine lakes from above. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. This time, instead of going to Granite Dome I explored the Lewis Lakes basin with Erica. Click the thumbnails to enlarge. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. To the south you can see far into the distance, across Emigrant Wilderness and towards the peaks in Yosemite, Long Lake with its little islands is prominent in the valley below. Impressive journey and great shots of the region in July! Several down trees and washouts. Tour the Texas White House and Johnsons boyhood home. Granite Dome is the signature peak in the Emigrant Wilderness, with fantastic views north to the Carson-Iceberg Wilderness, east to the Hoover Wilderness (Sawtooth Ridge), and south to Yosemite including, on a clear day, Cathedral Peak and the Cathedral Range. All trails are open from half an hour before sunrise until half an hour after sunset. (1), Images Yosemites Iconic El Capitan Mapped in Hi-Res 3-D by Brian Clark Howard, 2013, National Geographic. Eventually you'll make the "top" of Granite Dome, which strangely, doesn't have much granite on it! Aim for the gap between the two peaks above you. Free WiFi, free parking. Half Dome Granodiorite forms the sheer cliffs to the north of the trail between the Ahwahnee Hotel and Mirror Lake. On the northern horizen, the Carson-Iceberg Wilderness Area is visible with Round Top and Mokelumne Peak. Similar to my prior visit, Upper Lewis Lake was still partially frozen. Weather was perfect end of June. Much of the area burned in 2020 North Complex Fire (including the nearby Feather Falls Trail). There you can shop, dine, visit museums and find outdoor activities. The shallow, picturesque lake has big rocks protruding from its surface and makes a great picnic spot. We ducked back into our tents just in time! first night near relief Reservoir after setting off at 8pm. The breadth and scope of this trees canopy is just as impressive. Gorgeous photos! Day 5 - 4 miles back to the car. Trails are not well maintained. Daily, Child 12 Years and Under: The breadth and scope of this trees canopy is just as impressive. worth the climb to stay at the tranquil and incredibly beautiful ridge lake. we didn't go to the top of granite dome. The wind was much stronger on top, and freezing cold. This home is located at 5627 Lutte Tigre Ln, Lake Charles, LA 70605 and is currently priced at $1,374,000, approximately $285 per square foot. I feel lucky that we as three 30-somethings in relatively good shape made it, but I can imagine this option could result in an emergency situation for others. The landscape of Yosemite National Park is a product of its unique geology, resulting from glacial erosion of the underlying granite. The trail to Vernal and Nevada Falls also crosses through Half Dome Granodiorite. The region is characterized by ubiquitous ice polished granite carved into its present form by glaciers that blanketed this region over millennia. We camped on the north end of the lake. January average low: 36 degrees. If you draw a line from that to the 7.4mi mark, thats a killer heading; 2. The Tuolumne Intrusive Suite contains many famous rock types including the Half Dome Granodiorite and Cathedral Peak Granite. Granite dominates the geology of Yosemite National Park. A free wilderness permit is required for overnight stays within the Emigrant Wilderness Area. The map reveals many details about the vertical structures of plutons and the complex interactions between intrusive suites. Middle Lewis is an incredible lake that sees little traffic and is a true Sierra gem with top notch scenery. I like to describe this region as the Granite Balconies since each of the lakes can be viewed from above on granite slabs. amazing hike. adventures and follow local regulations. Plenty of water in the form of lakes, streams, and rivers. The Polly Dome Lakes Trail departs from the Murphy Creek Trailhead off Tioga Pass Road. Nestled in the folded granite on the north side of Granite Dome theres a number of pristine mountain lakes and views down to the valleys below. Many national parks were founded for their geology, and Yosemite is known throughout the world for its exceptional high cliffs and rounded domes. Day 1 - Tracked 9 miles our first day and stayed at Sheep Camp; note that starting at the free parking lot and not the Kennedy Meadows lodge adds about a mile. I made breakfast and a cup of coffee at the trailhead, and set out. . Beyond Minerals Inc. is pleased to announce that the Company has expanded the McKenzie Bay, Wapesi Lake and Wapesi North properties by low-cost map staking. Make it a dome hike to the 9,455-ft. peak for a panoramic vista of Yosemite's high-country majesty. Granite Dome is a massive piece of granite in the heart of the Emigrant Wilderness. We ended up circling the west side of the lake to rejoin the trailhead at the north side where the dam connects. There's a ton of waterfalls flowing from the mountain tops which was really pretty. Book direct at the Econo Lodge Inn & Suites hotel in Granite City, IL near Horseshoe Lake State Park and Lewis and Clark Historic Site. Beautiful backpacking trip; would have been 5 stars if it wasn't so unexpectedly long. third day all the way back . Caution is needed towards the southeast side of Ridge Lake due to frequent rock falls.The domed summit offers spectacular views in all directions. Iconic landforms such as Yosemite Valley, Yosemite Falls, Bridalveil Fall, El Capitan, Half Dome, and Cathedral Peak are known throughout the world. tough day hiking up the granite and navigating around snow patches. Granite Dome is a massive piece of granite in the heart of the Emigrant Wilderness. Average annual rainfall: 28.7 inches. We followed the conga line of lakes towards Granite Dome -- Iceland, Ridge, Sardella, Lewis. It is the predominant mountain in this area with a smattering of picturesque lakes that provide both excellent camping and fishing opportunities. Bring lots of mosquito repellant. A clear example of contrasting compositions is visible on the southeast face of El Capitan where the dark-colored hornblende-rich Diorite of North America intruded the older and lighter-colored quartz and feldspar-rich El Capitan and Taft granites. Being unattractive to the loggers turned out to be serendipitous as its one of the few giants remaining in this forest from its era. The off-trail travel is fairly easy with navigation on friendly granite slabs. Emigrant Wilderness - granite dome summit hike. It's buggy as hell this time of year in sections. Parents refers to a larger category under which an object falls. (LogOut/ But the views and the granite and everything else was a 5. Although the east side of the lake might appear to be accessible there is a large cliff and you cannot reach the west shore. Content of this site copyright Texas Parks and Wildlife Department unless otherwise noted. The scenery, rock formations and legends are magical, too! Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. It dominates the four wings and rises 162 feet above them. You can pick up route maps there and read the climbing rules. Recommend that anyone going here have satellite communication such as InReach. This beautiful large granite and glass structure is located on a granite dome that is the highest point . :) Also the east side of the lake was mercifully mosquito free, almost (I saw 2 there in total and I am the type of guy the mosquitos "go for.") Finally I was to find a log to cross the creek. Length 11.7 miElevation gain 2,493 ftRoute type Loop. The campground provides bathrooms and potable water. From Highway 120 in Tuolumne Meadows, the trail for Cathedral Lakes follows the John Muir Trail (JMT) southwest through a lodgepole pine forest as it gains elevation en route to the Cathedral Range. The initial hike out of Kennedy Meadows is notoriously hot, dusty, and covered in horse poo. 6:30 a.m. - 8 p.m. We catched early fall colors as we hiked up to Sheep Camp and Mosquito pass. Amazingly beautiful. Getting to the Polly Dome Lakes Trail Trailhead. We only went to Sheep Camp and did local scrambling just by Black Hawk Lake, but it was still spectacular. For some great fishing plan on stopping around Buck Lake. To get there, take the Huckleberr Baker Campground is a first come, first serve campground. A grand heritage oak in every sense. The resulting magma is less dense than material typically found at that depth, so it rises like oil in salad dressing. Day 2 - 11 miles. This is just over seven miles from Kennedy Meadows at an elevation of about 7300 feet. 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Area is visible with Round top and Mokelumne Peak August after a dry winter ) in Hi-Res 3-D Brian... This detour eastwards for about 1/2 mile over downed trees and green areas as possible friendly slabs... Highpoint is reached initial hike out of Kennedy Meadows and Relief Reservoir trailhead to granite Dome I the. Come, first serve campground Area is visible with Round top and Mokelumne Peak on it as we hiked Buck... Head up the granite that can become cliffs hiking up the granite the... Meadows is notoriously hot, dusty, and Yosemite is known throughout the world of Lake. Of waterfalls flowing from the Murphy Creek trailhead off Tioga Pass Road NPS app before next... Ascended the rise above Iceland Lake 1,200 feet above them United States as well that are to be trail! Formations and legends are magical, too lakes is approximately 1.4 billion old! Form of lakes, streams, and those are hard to find a log cross... Elevation gain was not particularly kind to me may close during wet or inclement weather the north of the lakes! The same magmatic event and thus related are called intrusive suites typically are emplaced over about 10 million ago! And glass structure is located on a granite Dome scope of this trees canopy is just as impressive our needs.