Emeric Lake, Yosemite: Backcountry Meadow Lake Guide

About

Emeric Lake sits in a broad subalpine meadow at roughly 9,700 feet in Yosemite's high country, just off the trail connecting Vogelsang and Merced Lake High Sierra Camps. This isn't a day-hike from the Valley floor — getting here means committing to a backcountry trip with real elevation gain and a wilderness permit — but the reward is a quiet, grassy lakeshore ringed by granite peaks, with established campsites that backpackers favor for a first or last night on the loop.

Getting There

Emeric Lake is reached via the Fletcher Creek section of trail linking Tuolumne Meadows, Vogelsang High Sierra Camp, and Merced Lake High Sierra Camp — part of the classic High Sierra Camps loop that has connected these backcountry outposts since Vogelsang opened in 1940. Most hikers approach from Tuolumne Meadows, climbing over Tuolumne Pass before following Fletcher Creek down past Boothe and Babcock Lakes toward Emeric.

What to Expect

Elevation: around 9,700 feet
Setting: a shallow, grassy meadow lake — scenic for camping and photos, but not really a swimming spot
Camping: established sites just off the main trail, a popular first-night stop for backpackers heading toward Vogelsang or Merced Lake

Permits

This is wilderness-permit territory. Any overnight stay near Emeric Lake requires a Yosemite wilderness permit, reserved online in advance or picked up (subject to availability) at a trailhead permit station, and a bear canister is required for food carried in.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you day-hike to Emeric Lake?

It's possible for a strong, well-prepared hiker with an early start, but most visitors treat it as a backpacking destination — it sits deep in the high country between Tuolumne Meadows and Merced Lake, so plan for an overnight and a wilderness permit rather than a quick out-and-back.

Is Emeric Lake good for swimming?

Not really. It's a shallow, grassy meadow lake that's better suited to camping and scenery than a swim.

Do I need a permit to camp at Emeric Lake?

Yes. Any overnight stay requires a Yosemite wilderness permit, which can be reserved online in advance or obtained, subject to availability, at a trailhead permit station. A bear canister is also required.