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3 Hemlock Crossing

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Trip Data: 11S 303763 4167984; 4/1; 29 miles

Topos: Timber Knob, Cattle Mountain, Mount Ritter

Highlights: This trip starts in the forested Granite Creek basin and moves into the spectacular North Fork San Joaquin drainage. On the way back, take the historic Mammoth Trail, once a toll route between Oakhurst and Mammoth mining district (who knew the real “gold” was in skiing?) in the 1870s and ‘80s.

HEADS UP! Strong and sturdy hikers could skip Day 1’s leg to Cora Lakes and instead tackle the 13 miles to Hemlock Crossing in one day. But what’s the hurry? Middle Cora Lake is a pretty spot; don’t miss it. To avoid the dusty, 3-mile hike along a dirt road on this trip’s final day, arrange a car shuttle at the Mammoth Trailhead, at the extreme east end of Road 4S60. The last day’s hike also involves extreme elevation gain and loss (about 3500 feet total) to cross the North Fork San Joaquin River. You can bypass the vertical and the car shuttle altogether by making this trip an out-and-back to Hemlock Crossing from Granite Creek Campground.