California · Hiking

Emma Lake

Emma LakePhoto: simonov, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)
2.0 mi
round trip
751 ft
climb
9,310 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Jun–Aug
best months

Is Emma Lake open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. It doesn't name Emma Lake, so check the source for the area it covers.

As of · Source: USFS · Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Emma Lake is a hard hike of about 2 miles on a natural-surface trail in the Bridgeport Ranger District of Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest in California, managed by the Forest Service. The route is an out-and-back, climbing from a low point of about 8,575 feet to a high of about 9,310 feet, a gain of 751 feet one way. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station run from highs around 71°F in June to about 78°F in July and August, with fewer wet days than the rest of the year. That station sits roughly 940 feet lower than the summit, so temperatures up high run cooler. The trail is open year-round and carries horses, while bikes are not allowed. Obsidian Campground and the Wheeler Creek hike are both about 1.3 miles away, and Rickey Cabin Trail is about a mile off.

  • Best time to go · Jun–Aug

    Best time to visit Emma Lake

    Best months: June–August. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      41° / 8°

      7 wet

    2. Feb

      41° / 9°

      7 wet

    3. Mar

      45° / 13°

      6 wet

    4. Apr

      51° / 19°

      5 wet

    5. May

      61° / 25°

      5 wet

    6. Jun

      71° / 32°

      4 wet

    7. Jul

      78° / 36°

      4 wet

    8. Aug

      78° / 34°

      3 wet

    9. Sep

      71° / 28°

      2 wet

    10. Oct

      61° / 20°

      3 wet

    11. Nov

      49° / 12°

      5 wet

    12. Dec

      41° / 8°

      7 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Bodie California St Historic P, CA, 25.4 mi away at 8,370 ft. The station sits about 900 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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