Caples Lake to Emigrant Lake

Markleeville, California

5.0/5

based on 3 reviews

Save

View all 3 photos

All 3 photos

Save Review Directions Add Photo

Details

Distance

8.71 miles

Elevation Gain

971 ft

Route Type

Out-and-Back

Description

Added by Valerie Cauhape

Caples Lake to Emigrant Lake near Kirkwood, CA offers up great lake views and some potentially great fishing.

This is an awesome out-and-back hike for the weekend warrior. The trail begins at the western-most point of Caples Lake, and takes you to Emigrant Lake.

The first 2/3 of the trail is rather flat and appropriate for all skill levels. The last mile up to the lake schleps up the hill, and has some uneven terrain that may not be suitable for people with limited mobility and/or small children. However, anyone else who can hike for 4-6 hours should be just fine. The first mile or so of the trail runs alongside the lake and is a great spot for swimming, fishing, kayaking or SUP. Caples Lake is also a great spot for fishing, and there are several campgrounds nearby.

Emigrant Lake is a small gem with many perfect spots for a lunch break. There is no camping within 300 feet of the lake itself. As for fishing, it doesn't seem that the lake is stocked, but there are a lot of brook trout in the lake.

Download the Outbound mobile app

Find adventures and camping on the go, share photos, use GPX tracks, and download maps for offline use.

Get the app

Download GPX File

Features

Fitness

Photography

Hiking

Beach

Dog Friendly

Easy Parking

Family Friendly

Forest

Lake

Waterfall

Wildflowers

Reviews

Jeff Driscoll

Caples Lake to Emigrant Lake

09/06/16

This is a great, easy hike since most of it is following along the shores of beautiful Caples Lake. The little bit of climbing you do is all forested and cool, especially in the late season. It also would make for a pretty easy day hike.

5.0

Jessica Klop

Caples Lake to Emigrant Lake

08/20/16

Lots a great scenery along the way with a gorgeous end at the lake perfectly surrounded by a mountain backdrop. Once you make it there it's a very chilly snowmelt lake perfect for cooling off your feet and having lunch before you descend!

5.0

Charlie Pankey

Caples Lake to Emigrant Lake

07/20/16

Emigrant Lake is so awesome. Hard to leave Caples Lake and its sapphire blue water, the climb up to emigrant along the creek is one of my favorite. The shimmering clear water hidden in that bowl of a mountain is so peaceful. Bringing my hammock on next trip up.

5.0

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Nearby

Hike to Thunder Mountain at Carson Pass

The trailhead begins on Rt 88 just past Kirkwood Resort or Silver Lake - depending on which way you are headed. There is plenty of parking but no other amenities. The trail begins at 7,900 ft and climbs steadily up Two Sentinels then along the ridge to Martins Point, ending at the 9,408ft summit of Thunder Mountain. The trail is very easy to follow even in the dark, so it's a perfect sunrise hi...

Hike Round Top Summit and Winnemucca Lake Loop

This hike begins near the Woods Lake campground. Start off by hiking towards Winnemucca Lake. You will begin your journey going through the forest beside a crystal-clear stream. Soon the trail opens up to become more open, full of all colours of wild flowers. You follow this breathtaking trail up through meadows to the blue-green waters of Winnemucca Lake (~1.5miles). Take a well-deserved break...

Hike The Sisters in the Mokelumnee Wilderness

The Sisters offer a great day hike with fun scrambling and beautiful views of the Northern Sierra, Lake Tahoe, the Mokelumnee Wilderness, and the Carson River Canyon.The trail to The Sisters begins at Woods Lake (38.6855° N, 120.0095° W), at the end of Woods Lake Road off Highway 88, 1.5 miles west of the Carson Pass. Note that Woods Lake Road is not open during the winter.Take the obvious trai...

Hike to Granite Lake

Take the road to Kit Carson Lodge. When the road turns to dirt, take this one-lane dirt road as far as you can go. The road terminates into a round parking area, however, as of the writing of this post, there was a large tree blocking the road about 250 ft before the end.The Trailhead is clearly marked just before the parking area. From this jump-off point, you can go to Amy lake, Granite Lake,...

Camping at The Pots

This fantastic camping or chilling spot has beautiful granite pools and slides of all sizes. The area consists of a river flowing over a granite slab creating pools some of which are over ten feet deep. The water cascades down the granite in small water falls. The area is located next to Silver Lake in Amador County just off of Highway 88.If you are leaving from the Tahoe area, head southbound ...

Hike to Round Top Peak

This hike begins at Carson Pass which is accessible from Highway 88. The trail leaves from the parking lot (parking requires a fee of $5) and is easy to follow. After about a mile, you'll pass Frog Lake on the left, which is a nice place to stop for a quick snack.Continue along the trail and stay to the right at the next junction for Winnemucca Lake. The trail climbs very gradually and you'll p...

Caples Lake to Emigrant Lake

Details

Description

Download the Outbound mobile app

Features

Reviews

Leave No Trace

Nearby

Hike to Thunder Mountain at Carson Pass

Hike Round Top Summit and Winnemucca Lake Loop

Hike The Sisters in the Mokelumnee Wilderness

Hike to Granite Lake

Camping at The Pots

Hike to Round Top Peak

Discover

Community

Company

Follow Us

Mobile Apps