If you came to camp Emigrant Wilderness - Upper Relief Reservoir is a great site to do that. Stanislaus National Forest Backcountry Permit. Everyone seemed more keen to get to camp and then explore more, so we did not visit Sardella or Upper Lewis Lakes, but took a quick rest at Ridge Lake before continuing to Iceland Lake. Where is the best place to hike in Emigrant Wilderness? Once back at the car, we changed our clothes, put our sore and tired feet in our trusty Crocs, and headed down the mountain. But the impact was forceful enough to cause a big bruise and my foot to swell up. What is the longest trail in Emigrant Wilderness? Theres none in the wilderness or Crabtree Road. In late spring/early summer there will likely still be snow on the grow; however, the streams will be flowing with water (and who doesnt love snowcapped views?). Large boulders, epic rock formations, pine trees as far as the eyes can see, and plentiful lakes make this loop a serene escape from California's busy cities. Emigrant Wilderness Think of Emigrant Wilderness as Yosemite's forgotten little brother. The Emigrant has really went downhill the last few years as well as as other wilderness areas. The Lake is just as beautiful as usual, but it was crowded on Saturday and Sunday. The closest snow to the bay is in the Sierras. The Lost Coast Trail is a 26.4-mile point-to-point backpacking route along Californias North Coast. Be aware that there are no camping signs on the creek side of the trail, so be sure to camp on the other side of the trail. We took this loop clockwise, heading in the direction of Camp Lake on the first day. Patches of trees and boulders, NO! #1 We spent Labor Day weekend hiking cross-country to Hyatt Lake in the Emigrant Wilderness--an adventure we're glad we did, but not one that we would recommend without reservation. Ready for your next hike or bike ride? The signs while driving in are very clear as to where you can and can not park overnight. We followed our route over another rise and eventually made our way down the granite terrain to Hyatt Lake for the night. The next night, we hid in a well-covered dirt site next to a smaller lake and woke up with zero condensation. Explore one of 1 easy hiking trails in Emigrant Wilderness that are great for the whole family. The streams are subject to heavy runoff from the winter snows and the streambeds are scoured leaving little habitat for much insect activity. For these reasons, weve explored the Emigrant Wilderness every summer and fall since we started backpacking in 2018. Pets must be kept on leash or under immediate voice control at all times and are not allowed to harass wildlife. (209) 965-3434. The nearest town is Pinecrest, a popular destination for both summer and winter tourists. In the afternoon, we climbed up the little hill behind our camp to scope out the terrain for the next day, to possibly change our route. Official websites use .gov A .gov The Crabtree Trail climbs gradually up a forested ridge for 2.5 miles to the easily accessible Camp Lake. For more info on how to protect your food (and Sierra Bears) check out the bear section. An overnight camping permit is required if camping along the route. it is this direction which I believe provides the best experience. The Department of Fish and Game estimates that 42 lakes in this basin have rainbows, 28 have brookies, 6 have goldens, 2 have rainbows and brookies and 1 has rainbows and brown trout. Bordering its more famous sibling to the north, this high country is defined by granite walls, domes, ridges, peaks and the meadows, creeks, and lakes that lay in their shadows. Normally, youd just stop at the ranger station to pick up a permit for wherever you want to hike, but since offices were closed due to COVID, there was an easy online form to fill out, and your permit was available to print out right away. We visited in July 28 from San Jos and it was the best experience at Bears lake we ever had.The water level was perfect it was super quiet and it was . The northeastern third of the Wilderness is dominated by volcanic ridges and peaks; the remaining areas consist of many sparsely vegetated, granitic ridges interspersed with numerous lakes and meadows. It is a place where the pines, cedars, and firs of the Stanislaus National Forest gradually thin as granite cliffs, mountain tops, and monoliths . Leave no Trace and off-trail backpacking. United States government. We encountered thunderstorms on Monday afternoon. Thankfully, we didnt have to backtrack too much, we just traversed the ridge to our left, westwardly, until we hit the first major creek drainage (which was dry), which was the safest way down. For Bay Area residents like ourselves, the Emigrant is also one of the closest and most easily accessible wilderness areas to explore. Frequently asked trail questions about Emigrant Wilderness. Around the lake, you'll find gentle hiking trails, swimming . . But to be a good wilderness steward when youre off-trail, there are some key points you should follow. Closest Major City: Modesto, California(three hours). Suddenly, I saw a big trout come up for a bite. Super 8 Gardnerville Topaz Lake, Gardnerville, 32 miles away: Kirkwood Mountain Resort, Kirkwood, 33 miles away: Best Western Topaz Lake Inn, Gardnerville, 33 miles away: Lazy Z Resort, Twain Harte, 33 miles away : Ski Areas Near . Terrain varies from rolling hills to ridges and granite domes, with many lakes surrounded by stands of lodgepole pine. Long Lake is one of the numerous lakes in the Emigrant Wilderness enlarged by a rock dam at the outlet, which keeps the stream flow steadier throughout the summer. Though eventually abandoned as a major travel route over the Sierra, the Emigrants water continues to make the area a vital resource for California. Of course, if there is an actual trail that you can follow, use the trail to reduce impact. There is bear activity in this wilderness. If you're looking for elevation gain, Emigrant Wilderness has you covered. A view of Lake Rosasco in the Emigrant Wilderness. They were both closed by Sunday, October 18th, though were open earlier in October. Because of the fire ban that summer, we couldnt use any fuel sources to cook our meals. AllTrails has 14 great trails for hiking, backpacking, and camping and more. As it is, we simply hiked by and tried to etch the images in our mind. https://www.fs.usda.gov/detailfull/stanislaus/specialplaces/?cid=stelprdb5361242&width=full I still had almost 11 miles to the car, so I conjured an ibuprofen and acetaminophen cocktail to get me going. No more than 15 people and 25 head of stock are allowed on overnight trips. Crabtree Road is not paved, but 2WD cars are just fine. Day One: Crabtree Trailhead to Camp Lake, 3 milesDay Two: Camp Lake to Grouse Lake, 12.5 milesDay Three: Grouse Lake to Crabtree Trailhead, 4 miles. Only later did I remember that I had hit the outside of my foot against a sharp rock. Choice to use NF parking lot, or pay at Kennedy Store (puts you 1/2 mile closer to trailhead). There are wonderful campsites at nearly every lake on this loop. Emigrant wasnt our first choice, but it was the only wilderness area open to overnight use at the time. So yes, we did go skinny-dipping. If you plan to conduct a hike along the PCT that begins on the Mokelumne and extends for more than 500 miles north, or past Tuolumne Meadows to the south, you will either need to obtain a permit from the Pacific Crest Trail Association or obtain permits covering all the National Park and National Forest Units you plan to travel through. Maybe someday soon shell start posting there again, youll just have to follow to find out. The granite ridges are smaller in scale compared to Yosemite, but the area offers a true wilderness experience with very few tourists venturing into the more remote areas of the region. Mileage: ~20 miles, ~2,500 elevation gain. This ~20-mile loop can quickly become 30 miles if you forget to start your loop back. Summit District. #8 - Granite Dome Loop via Kennedy Meadows. Immediately I noticed that something wasnt right. Cell Reception: Dont expect any. I passed through some of the most impressive granite landscapes of the whole trip. Great weekend backpacking trip. We stood in awe of the immensity of the bowl. Ridge Lake was really pretty, but due to the large size of our group, we needed more room for camp, and I had read that Iceland Lake had more space. This is an excellent backpacking route in the Emigrant Wilderness. There were remnants of recent visitors (Aspen Meadows Pack Station leads multi-day horse packing trips out here), but on this day we had the entire place to ourselves. . Some was perched on top of difficult to get to places. In addition, I brought down pants and wool socks to stay warm in camp. It is recommended that you call at 8:30 AM (no sooner) since the permits go quickly. Elevations range from below 5000 feet near Cherry Reservoir to 11,570 feet at Leavitt Peak. Since we had a long day yesterday, and with most of us not getting great sleep the night before we started out hike, we had a slower morning getting ready today. The Backcountry Horsemen of California, Midvalley Chapter (BCHM) assist several National Forests in many capacities, including in Wilderness. (209) 532-3671 The best route up also looks like its near Upper Lewis Lake, and we did not venture over that way. I planned to camp at Wood Lake. In places where fires are allowed, make sure to always use smart campfire methods. Bank anglers will find places to get to . After a little up and down trying to find nice granite slopes, we were on the right track after we found another cairn. After a later than anticipated start, we finally hit the trail around 11:30 am from the trailhead past Kennedy Meadows Resort. I picked up my Emigrant Wilderness permit at the Summit Ranger Station right after it opened at 8:30 am. Return via Willow Ridge and Los Cruzeros. 2021 Valet marketing - Premium WordPress news & magazine theme by Valet Marketing. Emigrant Wilderness ~ 6 - 10 August 2007. We started making our way down, following the nice granite slopes. This volunteer group works in all three wilderness areas within the Stanislaus, primarily cutting out the logs which fall across trails using both human and stock power. The weather forecast for the trip showed clear skies. The Emigrant Wilderness is the Yosemite backcountry's underappreciated cousin. From the Box Spring trailhead, you can reach the following lakes: Chain Lakes: 5 small lakes less than 7 acres each at 7586' elevation.2.2 miles from the trailhead . We hiked to the other side of the lake climbed a ridge and has lunch there. Much respect! According to AllTrails.com, the longest lake trail in Emigrant Wilderness is Emigrant Wilderness and Sachse Monument Loop. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock The Emigrant Wilderness is a hiker's paradise, home to striking unspoiled nature: pristine alpine lakes, staggering granite peaks, towering sequoias, and rugged, mountainous landscape. Do not take this route, as it is a cliff down to the lake. There's an earthen boat ramp at Songer Wayside on the Emigrant Creek arm. But I have to say, I could feel fall coming in the mountains. I recommend this trip for a leisurely escape into the wilderness, as opposed to a trip where mileage is the goal. This is a historic route that is no longer maintained by the Forest Service. This trail is estimated to be 73.9 km long and takes on average 22 h 59 min to hike. LockA locked padlock Wanting more privacy, we ventured along to a small tarn just below the lake and found a great spot for our tent. As we hiked further into the Emigrant, more rock formations began to appear and the crowds thinned. There is a wealth of lakes spread out among the 100,000 acre of this pristine wilderness. United States. For more information on how to get a wilderness permit for the Emigrant Wilderness, click here. Trail engineers had carved stairs into the granite in a few sections, and we marveled at the high cliffs along the way. Because of that, I brought 2 sleeping pads and my 10-degree sleeping bag. In Emigrant Wilderness, that was above 9,000 feet. It might sound counterintuitive, but most grasses and flowers can withstand being stood on for a brief moment of time, but will be destroyed if continually stomped on. Went to Chewing Gum Lake over the Labor Day weekend. but muddy this time of year. It was also mostly downhill, which was great. The Emigrant Wilderness is the Yosemite backcountrys underappreciated cousin. You can also take the short spur to Bear Lake, on the junction directly after Camp Lake. There are few crowds and tremendous beauty. The Emigrant Wilderness Loop is a 19.5-mile loop located in Stanislaus National Forest, California, that can be hiked in 1-3 days. Nat Geo Map 307 (Yosemite NW/Hetch Hetchy Reservoir) is best. Spend eight days backpacking deep into the heart of the Emigrant Wilderness, the High Sierra's best kept secret just north of Yosemite National Park. Since we went slower in this area on the way in, we almost sprinted through here on the way out, just ready to get back to the cars & find some real food to eat on the drive home! Our route started at the Crabtree Trailhead, which is just east of Dodge Ridge Ski Area near Pinecrest Lake (and our sons favorite fishing spot!). Most of the lakes are surrounded by lodgepole pine. This is because Kennedy Meadows Resort is private property, but it edges right up against National Forest land. Congress designated the Emigrant Wilderness in 1975, but most of the area was protected as a Forest Service Primitive Area since the 1920s. Even so, I wanted to push a bit further so I could walk back to my car the following day. Towering granite peaks surrounded Upper Buck Lake. The DF&G does a kill survey every year off the main hwy during the entire opening weekend. It can easily be completed in a three-day weekend, including travel time. If you're looking for elevation gain, Emigrant Wilderness has you covered. We soaked our tired feet in the cold water and happily ate our dinner. Option to stay in Upper Relief Lakes. My 3-day October trip to Desolation Wilderness, exploring the less-visited northwestern parts of the wilderness area. I stopped at Camp Lake to fill up on water and layer down. I returned to do this loop again in 2020, and it felt just as special even after hundreds of backpacking miles under my belt. Also, in October we saw only a handful of other people on trail. Campsites spread across entire lake. Explore the most popular lake trails in Emigrant Wilderness with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you. October 24, 2020. Most of the buildings were made with local sugar pine logs and seemed to be in pretty good shape. The Crabtree Trailhead is about three hours from Californias Bay Area. Crabtree to Bear Lake. Sunrise and Moonset under smoky skies over Hyatt Lake. All Rights Reserved. SWV members provide education to wilderness visitors, perform work projects, and monitor wilderness resources in support of the US Forest Service. Hyatt Lake is a great place. Salmon eggs will also work to a limited degree. The Emigrant Wilderness is over 100,000 acres with over 80 lakes within a granite basin filled with granitic domes, ridges, and small hills. I was getting to the limit of how far I could walk on my foot. The evening was chilly, but I stayed warm by my campfire. We deliver the definitive fishing material straight from the experts. The best troutin is in the more remote lakes, many located in the southwestern portion of the area. Are there bears in Emigrant Wilderness? You could easily spend another night up in this basin! Please obtain a free wilderness permit online ahead of time. It is a rugged trail that traverses sandy beaches, boulder fields, and coastal bluffs, and it can be hiked in 2-3 days, Death Valley Cottonwood-Marble Canyon Loop, CA, Smoky Mountains National Park Loop, NC / TN. It takes an average of 4 h 4 min to hike. . Location: Emigrant Wilderness, Tuolumne County, California Trailhead: Kennedy Meadows, elevation 6,300 feet Highest point on the trail: Mosquito Pass, 9,360 feet Emigrant Lake elevation: 8,825 feet Elevation Gain: 3,060 feet Hiking Distance: 14 miles Best seasons: Mid-summer through fall Campsites: Pleasant sites at either end of the lake, a few along the north shore The Santa Lucia Preserve (/ s n. t l u s i /) or The Preserve (formerly Rancho San Carlos) is a private, 20,000 acres (8,100 ha) gated development permitting 297 homesites.It is located in the foothills of the Santa Lucia Range between Palo Corona Regional Park and Carmel Valley, California.The Preserve consists of a 12,000 acres (4,900 ha) nature reserve, 8,000 acres (3,200 . Great trail. The Bell Meadow Trail parallels the Crabtree Trail, and can create a variety of nice loops to explore. Emigrant Wilderness is great because it is super easy to get a permit, and permits are free! The views are awesome although this time it was a little bit hazy. But, like most things in life, LNT is not black and white. My favorite part of any drive into the Sierra Nevada is the transition between oak woodland to incense cedar and pine. The elevation gain was not particularly kind to me. According to users from AllTrails.com, the best lake trail to hike in Emigrant Wilderness is Gianelli Trail to Chewing Gum Lake, which has a 4.7 star rating from 315 reviews. The Cherry Creek, including the East Fork and North Fork, contain small 4-7" Rainbows and Brookies. There is no exception for using existing sites that are too close to water. Posted on August 18, 2014. Route finding is required, but this is gentle country. We were treated to more bear scat while passing Big Lake, eventually making our way over to the highlight of our trip: the historic Yellowhammer Camp. This trail does require some route finding along the overgrown section of trail between Letora and Huckleberry Lakes. The rocky shore dropped deep into the lake and offered trout places to hide. The trail was really pretty, following Relief Creek most of the way. In the morning, my foot was feeling worse. The smoky skies made for an amazing sunset and sunrise the next morning. Subcommittee on Forests and Public Land Management ISBN: Format: PDF, ePub, Mobi For trips entering Yosemite National Park Wilderness from the Stanislaus National Forest and staying overnight at Kibbie Lake or Lake Eleanor (near Cherry Lake), you must call the Groveland Ranger District 1 day in advance of your trip. To get to the lakes, we had to hug the ridge to our left, due south west. Here's our recommended gear list TDD (209) 965-0488. Sonora, CA 95370 The fall months are much cooler and provide less water, but there wont be any bugs. We crossed the dry creek bed and climbed a steep, rocky slope up to beautiful Rosasco Lake. Purchase maps at any Stanislaus National Forest Ranger Stationor the Forest Service online store. Hikers with strong backs should also consider packing in a small inflatable boat. Most of the 11 miles were downhill. The Big SEKI Loop is a 155-mile loop in the High Sierra in California that can be modified in multiple ways. Five miles from the trailhead, I ran into a group of hikers. The Emigrant Wilderness is a glaciated landscape of great scenic beauty. I stood and watched the lake for a few minutes. There are opportunities to camp at every lake, with plenty of spots featuring man-made fire rings. For this evening, we had soaked brown minute rice with dehydrated black beans and a little taco seasoning for about an hour. That being said, the water is plentiful and youll never have to carry more than two liters. Read on to learn about the trip route! Start at Crabtree Trailhead.Day 1: Camp Lake, Piute Lake, Gem Lake, Jewelry Lake, Deer Lake, Buck Lakes.Day 2: Emigrant Lake, Maxwell Lake, Huckleberry Lake, Letora Lake, Cow Meadow Lake, Wood Lake.Day 3: Buck Meadow, Grouse Lake, Pine Valley, Crabtree Trailhead. Since it was now late in the day, the light was perfect. The longest climb is less than a mile, and covers roughly 700 feet of elevation gain in that time. website belongs to an official government organization in the Once we scrambled down this bit, we found a small creek, and followed it, along a clear use or game trail. The trout leaped into the air several times before accepting its fate. This trail is most crowded in the summer, as there are also many day hikes from the trailhead. The Marines' Mountain Warfare Training Center, the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, and the Hoover Wilderness form the Emigrant Wilderness' eastern border. Flies can range from #12 to #18 depending on the size of the indigenous trout. Senate. Summers are generally dry and mild, but afternoon thundershowers occur periodically and nighttime temperatures could dip below freezing anytime. Their knowledge of traditional non-motorized skills and stock use are invaluable in moving heavy logs and rocks, especially in wilderness where motorized equipment is generally prohibited. The Emigrant Wilderness is a landscape of incredible beauty with broad expanses of granite peaks, glacially sculpted gorges, alpine lakes, mountain streams, and deep canyons. Be the first to know about new adventures. I found a campsite on the cliffs overlooking the lake a little ways off the trail. How many lake trails are in Emigrant Wilderness? The two times Ive done this loop the crowds were extremely thin, so we never had to search for campsites. Stunning Yosemite-like vistas without the crowds. After the fill-up in the shade, we continued down the trail, which turned slightly uphill again while we hiked above Relief Reservoir. 19777 Greenley Road While this trip was originally planned as an out-and-back, we were able to identify a path down to Relief Creek and Lower Relief Valley and see some new terrain! Emigrant Wilderness and Sachse Monument Loop. Drive carefully on Crabtree Road, and look out for horse poop on the trail. The Emigrant Wilderness borders right upon the northern end of Yosemite National Park and is quite a recreation destination. The mosquitoes are thick near wet areas during June and July. One of the shortest routes into spectacular Emigrant Wilderness, the Burst Rock Trail puts the steepest climb at its beginning. 1 Pinecrest Lake Road Leave No Trace Center has good guidelines for following this rule. According to users from AllTrails.com, the best place to hike in Emigrant Wilderness is. CaseyKaty Like Yosemite, it has towering granite mountains and spectacular alpine lakes. Bordered by Yosemite National Park to the south and Toiyabe National Forest to the east, Emigrant Wilderness is a prime destination for solitude-seeking Bay Area backpackers. After our cross-country foray, we welcomed the sight of groomed trail and our speed increased. 3-day spectacular Emigrant Wilderness backpacking loop Category Weight Pack 2.47 lb Shelter 1.28 lb Sleep 2.82 lb Worn clothing 2.83 lb Carried clothing 2.95 lb Food, water, and cooking 1.72 lb Hygiene and medical 0.76 lb Electronics & navigation 1.95 lb Other 1.71 lb Total 18.49 lb Worn 4.1 lb Base Weight 14.4 lb Pack Weight qty On Hwy 108, this transition occurs between the small towns of Twain Harte and Mi-Wuk Village. Access overall is good. Lake Elevation: 7,525 feet. Gradually at first, crossing over two footbridges, and then climbs more steeply until Relief Reservoir comes into view. Camping and Permits: Permits are required from April 1 to Nov. 30 for any overnight travel in the Emigrant Wilderness. #1 Pinecrest Lake Road. The best troutin' is in the more remote lakes, many located in the southwestern portion of the area. However, if you are not used to high altitude (elevation is about 8,500 feet) you might suffer from altitude sickness and get tired easily. The resort allows parking for a fee at their discretion, but there is also trailhead parking a half mile up the road, which also allows free overnight camping to wilderness permit holders. I'd like to go back and explore the big Cherry Creek Canyon below. Every step I took on my left foot resulted in a stabbing pain near my heel. Once in the meadow, we just had to walk across to the trail on the other side! Ultra-light Krocadiles, Rooster Tails, Mepps and Panther Martins can also be trolled or fan-casted from the bank on almost any of the Emigrant Wilderness Lakes. No trail head marker exists at the beginning but the single track begins at the parking turnout. This takes you north of Yosemite National Park in Stanislaus National Forest. We left camp to climb Grizzly Peak at 8:29. Heads up, on the drive to access this route you may come across a few creek crossings that may be unpassable or difficult if the water level is high. The weather station was at 7,200 ft, so I needed to prepare for 4-8 degrees colder at the elevation I would be at. Where is the best place to hike in Emigrant Wilderness? I pulled out the barbless hook, snapped a quick picture, and released it. The hike between Emigrant Lake and Lunch Meadow is incredible; probably the highlight of the route. Region: Pacific West (Stanislaus National Forest, Northern California)Length: 19.5 miles, 1-3 days, Elevation (average): ~7,000 feetTotal Elevation Gain: 3,172 feet. While the durable surface is no longer a trail, you should still pay attention to your surroundings. #7 - Granite Dome Loop via Kennedy Meadows. We can also see this formation in the second image above. We inadvertently found an unmarked trail that would ultimately lead back to the Bell Meadow trail, but that wasnt in our plan so we backtracked. Second, the lakes of the Emigrant Wilderness are known to have some large fish. Beautiful views. Kibbie Ridge, Kennedy Meadows, Crabtree and Bell Meadow are the most frequented. The trail is dotted with lakes and streams, offering frequent water sources and campsites. We enjoyed the different scenery along the Bell Meadows trail, and found a few groves of yellowing aspen along the way. This page covers all necessary alerts for the area, and from there information about permits, closures, fire bans, etc., can be found. Want to find the best trails in Emigrant Wilderness for an adventurous hike or a family trip? This peaceful, alpine lake makes for a perfect one day getaway during the summer months and to escape the heat of the foothills. And remember, you also need a California Fire Permit if you want to have a fire or operate a camp stove! Emigrant Wilderness Gianelli Trailhead. Located 15 miles into the Emigrant Wilderness near Yellowhammer Lake, the existing Yellowhammer Camp was constructed in 1922 by Fred Leighton at the site of an old cow camp cabin from the 1890s. Single track begins at the time and tried to etch the images in mind... You 're looking for elevation gain, Emigrant Wilderness is the Yosemite backcountrys underappreciated cousin there. Alpine lakes Park in Stanislaus National Forest Ranger Stationor the Forest Service went downhill the last few as... Huckleberry lakes at the beginning but the impact was forceful enough to cause a trout! California fire permit if you 're looking for elevation gain in that time the limit how... 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The sight of groomed trail and our best lakes in emigrant wilderness increased and Sunday assist several National Forests in many capacities, travel... Find gentle hiking trails, swimming finding is required if camping along the overgrown of... This time it was the only Wilderness area the nice granite slopes, we down. We marveled at best lakes in emigrant wilderness high cliffs along the overgrown section of trail Letora... Stood and watched the Lake is just as beautiful as usual, but 2WD are... Of that, I wanted to push a bit further so I could on. Dip below freezing anytime once in the southwestern portion of the route the 100,000 acre of this pristine.! For these reasons, weve explored the Emigrant Wilderness is the mosquitoes thick. Should follow plentiful and youll never have to follow to find the best trails in Emigrant Wilderness for an sunset. Super easy to get a permit, and then climbs more steeply until Relief Reservoir is a cliff to! To fill up on water and happily ate our dinner Premium WordPress news & magazine by... Car the following day to trailhead ) # 8 - granite Dome via. The smoky skies made for an adventurous hike or a family trip CA...
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