Jarbridge and Emerald Lake Loop

A roaring river, two subalpine lakes, lofty peaks, verdant meadows, and dense forests await the ardent explorer on this loop through the northwest corner of Jarbidge Wilderness. Although lightly used due to the remoteness of the wilderness, the Jarbidge River Trail to Jarbidge and Emerald lakes is perhaps the most traveled route in the region, and with good reason. With a trailhead accessible by a common sedan, this route is blessed with attractions that any mountain visitor would appreciate. The beginning of the trail is a testament to the power of nature, as flooding and slides during the spring of 1995 destroyed the road which once led to the old trailhead. High water and soaked debris gouged away sections of the roadbed, resulting in a relocation of the trailhead 1.75 miles downstream, near the Pine Creek Campground. Farther up the drainage, avalanche debris provides a vivid example of what the random forces of the natural world can do. The two lakes visited by the trail have excellent attributes. Pleasant Jarbidge Lake is a shallow body of water tucked into the head of Jarbidge canyon and surrounded by verdant meadows rimmed by thick forest. The restful ambience provides a grand setting for an afternoon of relaxation while you admire cloud patterns above the lofty summits along the Jarbidge crest. Emerald Lake is a light-green-tinted jewel. Perched below the summit of Cougar Peak and above the deep canyon of the East Fork Jarbidge River, the lakeshore provides commanding views of the surrounding scenery. Sunrises over the eastern range of peaks are particularly stunning. Early summer provides a colorful array of wildflowers, for which Jarbidge is famous, including arnica, columbine, crimson fireweed, forget-me-not, geranium, Indian paintbrush, lupine, meadowrue, mint, mule ears, pale agoseris, pussytoes, scarlet gilia, sulfur buckwheat, and yarrow. Add in some verdant meadows and dense forests composed of subalpine fir, aspen, limber pine, and whitebark pine, and you have an outstanding complement of flora.