emigrant5563-14.JPG [2/18] Caption: The wilderness is named for groups of settlers who used a nearby mountain pass and trails through the area on their way to greener pastures in the lower elevations of California. Hiking through all of this stone, it's bizarre to know that several settlers remained here and attempted to raise cattle and eke out a living. Apparently, they liked the few lush meadows at the high elevations, but didn't enjoy the 12 feet + of snow in the winter. (Go figure.)