South Emerson Trail
- 3.1 mi
- round trip
- 413 ft
- climb
- 7,329 ft
- high point
- Out and back
- route
- May–Oct
- best months
Caution today
Agency alerts are in effect for this area; weather is good · USFS, OpenWeather · checked 7 h ago
Is South Emerson Trail open right now?
Alert in the area
The Forest Service lists an alert for Modoc National Forest.
Forest Fire Restrictions 2026 have been lifted as of 09/27/2026
Agency alert covering Modoc National Forest · Order 09-26-01 · USFS · Modoc National Forest
As of · Source: USFS · Modoc National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.
South Emerson Trail is a 3.1-mile out-and-back hike in the South Warner Wilderness, part of the Warner Mountain Ranger District of Modoc National Forest in California. The Forest Service manages the land, and the trail lies within designated wilderness, so it is a backcountry route rather than a developed one. The trail rises from a low point of 6,896 feet to a high of 7,329 feet, a climb of 413 feet one way. It is rated moderate, and the surface is natural. Horses are allowed, but bikes are not. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station show July and August highs around 79°F with only three or four wet days a month, while winter highs stay in the mid-30s. The trail is open year-round. Emerson Campground sits about a mile away, and the North Emerson Trail and Bearcamp Trail are both within about a mile and a quarter. Patterson campground is roughly 4 miles off.
Best time to go · May–Oct
Best time to visit South Emerson Trail
Best months: May–October. 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.
Jan
35° / 22°
12 wet
Feb
35° / 20°
12 wet
Mar
43° / 23°
14 wet
Apr
49° / 27°
12 wet
May
58° / 34°
10 wet
Jun
68° / 41°
7 wet
Jul
79° / 48°
3 wet
Aug
78° / 47°
3 wet
Sep
71° / 42°
4 wet
Oct
57° / 32°
6 wet
Nov
42° / 25°
10 wet
Dec
33° / 20°
12 wet
Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Denio 52 Wsw, NV, 49 mi away at 6,500 ft. The station sits about 800 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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