Backpacking Kennedy Meadows: Gateway to the Emigrant Wilderness

Discover one of the Sierra Nevada’s most rewarding backpacking destinations and learn how to plan an unforgettable trip into Kennedy Meadows and the Kennedy Lake area. Tucked deep within the Stanislaus National Forest, this high-country landscape is where wide-open granite basins, lush alpine meadows and clear, winding rivers come together beneath big mountain skylines. In this in-store presentation, you’ll learn what makes the Kennedy Lake Trail a standout route in the Emigrant Wilderness, from its scenic river approaches and wildflower-filled meadows to its sweeping views of surrounding peaks. We’ll cover how to get there, the best times to go, essential gear considerations and practical tips for navigating weather, terrain and backcountry logistics. Whether you’re planning your first overnight or looking to deepen your Sierra backpacking knowledge, this session will help you prepare with confidence and intention. About our speakers: James O’Neill and Brett Baker are the founders of Sierra Summit Expeditions and bring more than 14 years of guiding experience in the Sierra Nevada. Their approach is rooted in safety first, environmental stewardship and building meaningful connection through shared time in the mountains.