The most recent groups were the Me-Wuk of the western slope and Piute of the Great Basin. Following the discovery of gold in 1848, large numbers of miners and settlers came to the Sierra and the native cultures quickly declines. Several more emigrant parties were enticed by officials from Sonora to use this route in 1853, but it was a very difficult passage with many hardships and was soon abandoned. Relief Valley was so named because of the assistance some emigrants received there from residents of the Sonora area. There are approximately 185 miles of trails in the Emigrant Wilderness.
Travel is restricted to foot or horseback.
Mechanized transportation of any kind, including bicycles, is prohibited. Poplar trailheads are Bell Meadow, Crabtree Camp, Gianelli Cabin, and Kennedy Meadows. Recreation Management of visitors and their impacts is especially important for preserving the naturalness and solitude that distinguish wilderness from other settings. Approximately 15,000 people use the Emigrant Wilderness every year, primarily from June through September. Many people are attracted to the numerous lakes, which are periodically stocked with trout by the California Department of Fish and Game.