Emerson Creek Trail

Overview

The Emerson Creek Trail is a steep ascent into the South Warner Wilderness backcountry. It is the only trail that accesses the wilderness area from the east side. The Warner Mountains have a dramatic, sheer eastern escarpment and consequently the Emerson Creek Trail gains elevation swiftly. The trail is attractive and reasonably well maintained. It parallels various forks of Emerson Creek for most of its duration, although views do not really open up until shortly before reaching North Emerson Lake. The trail is most often used to reach the lake, but is also the primary means of climbing the summit Cole Peak. The route can also be used to summit Eagle Peak, the Warner Mountain’s highest point. Although the last portion of the ascent is quite steep, it is in many ways preferable to the normal route up Eagle Peak, since the summit is only 5 miles distant from the trailhead. The Poison Flat Trail, the standard route to the summit of Eagle Peak, is 8 miles long, requiring a total distance of 16 miles compared to the Emerson Creek Trail’s 10 miles.

Route Description

The Emerson Creek Trail begins at an elevation of 5,900 feet, just west of the Emerson Creek Campground. The trail follows Emerson Creek, crossing the creek three times in the first 0.5 miles. The trail initially passes through mixed fir and pine forest, occasionally punctuated by aspens. Shortly after the third creek crossing the trail passes out of the woods on a south-facing slope. This area is covered in sage and bunchgrass and dotted with old, gnarled mountain mahogany. The creek is now far below the trail and conifers still abound along its shores and on the north-facing slopes. Views to the south are good, but brief, as the trail crosses the creek again, turning south briefly to round the nose of a ridge. At this point the trail is passing from the North Emerson Creek drainage into the South Emerson Creek Drainage. Almost as soon as the sound of the northern fork fades the crashing waters of the southern fork become audible. The trail continues west, now well above the south fork of Emerson Creek. 0.25 miles from the creek crossing, the trail reaches a junction with the South Emerson Trail. Those wishing to make a loop out of the return trip can take this trail to add an additional 1.5 miles to the total distance. The South Emerson Trial is an attractive trail, though it’s maintenance is spotty in places. Diminutive South Emerson Lake can be reached via a 0.75 mile 800 foot scramble branching off of this route.

From the trail junction the trail continue to climb the ridge dividing the north and south branches of Emerson Creek. Views of Cole Peak to the north begin to improve, though the trees still obscure any wide-open vistas. As the trail bends north, it levels out, the first real level stretch along the whole route. After another turn to the west, the Emerson Creek Trail finally reaches North Emerson Lake, having climbed 2,000 feet in 2.5 miles. Though not as large as some of the lakes found in the northern part of the South Warner Wilderness, the body of water is still a good fishing and swimming destination in a beautiful, rocky cirque basin. The best campsites at the like are found at the eastern end, on the northern and southern sides of the lake’s outlet. Although use trails ring the lake, the Emerson Creek Trail begins climbing out of the cirque just before reaching the outlet. It makes five sweeping switchbacks before leveling off on a long traverse just below the rim of the cirque. 0.75 miles from the outlet and 600 feet above the lake the Emerson Creek Trail terminates at it’s junction with the Warner Summit Trail.

Cole Peak

To reach Cole Peak, simply turn east at the trail junction and follow the ridge leading to the summit. There is not trail but travel is easy across the grassy slopes. It is necessary to pass through stunted lodgepole pines, but they are only temporary interruptions to the grassy topography. The route to the top is 0.75 miles long and gains 700 feet in elevation. Spectacular views await.

Eagle Peak

The route to the top of Eagle Peak, the Warner Mountains’ highest peak is much more difficult than the trip up Cole Peak. From the junction with the Emerson Creek Trail, continue south on the Summit Trail for 0.25 miles. Turn west and leave the trail. The desired route follows the base of a low knob, traveling west and then turning to the north, where one reaches the precipice of a cliff, high above Eagle Basin. Follow the rim for a level 0.25 miles to where the mountain begins to rise in earnest. The terrain becomes exceedingly steep from here on. If one desired to simply climb to the summit, it is possible to do so from here. If a more gradual approach is desired, traverse the southern slope of the mountain, traveling in a westerly direction, gaining elevation as one goes. When the western ridge is reached, turn sharply to the east and follow the ridge to the summit. This route is roughly 2 miles long and gains 1,400 feet from Cole Saddle.

Getting There

From the intersection of Highways 299 and 395 in Alturas, continue east on Highway395. 5.5 miles from the intersection, veer right onto Highway 299. This road will climb through the Warner Mountains, crossing over Cedar Pass, which has particularly good views of Warren and Squaw Peaks to the south. After descending into the town of Cedarville, turn right onto County Highway 1. Continue south, passing through the small town of Eagleville. 1.3 miles after passing through the town veer right onto Emerson Road. The pavement swiftly fades, but the road is easily traveled by sedans, unless particularly muddy. Stay on Emerson Road for three miles until it dead-ends at the Forest Service campground. The trailhead is west of the campground.

If Eagle Peak is the intended destination, the drive to the Emerson Creek Trailhead is only about ten minutes longer from Alturas than the drive to the Poison Flat trailhead, so if one is willing to make the climb, this is an excellent option.

Map

Images

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