I prefer to craft my own routes through here, depending on how I'm feeling and what I want to see.). Dig a small hole at least 6-8 inches deep and at least 100 feet from water, trails and campsites. Group Size Limits As you head down Summit Creek between this terrain created by fire and ice the incredible bulk of Granite Chief rises out of the terrain, like a great island of granite surrounded by an ancient sea of frozen lava. Caching of Personal Property Until this stage of reopening is reached, the Stanislaus National Forest will not issue the required overnight camping wilderness permits to visitors. See El Dorado NF for TYT route across Northwestern Mokelumne Wilderness and the Toiyabe NF for the route of PCT across the Eastern Mokelumne Wilderness. Emigrant Wilderness Miles (real cool), Trail Guide Index Affiliated groups must camp and travel separately remaining at least one mile apart at all times while in the wilderness to protect solitude and reduce physical impacts. Pacific Crest Trail Route: MODIFICATIONS for the ADVENTUROUS PCT-TYT HIKER. There is no quota, but permits are required – and like most of the Ranger districts, we were given false information for this trip as well. The Stanislaus NF has very well informed, helpful, and delightfully friendly people. Pets are welcome, although local county ordinances require pets to be leashed. Wilderness permits are now available but with new procedures which can be found at https://www.fs.usda.gov/attmain/stanislaus/specialplaces. In the Emigrant Wilderness, grazing or holding more than four stock overnight within one-quarter mile of Rosasco, Pingree, Piute, Gem, Jewelry, Long, or Maxwell Lakes is prohibited due to limited forage. If we are hiking North or South from Highways 4 and 108 we get your permits from the Summit Ranger District of the Stanislaus National Forest. Most the the Pacific Crest Trail and its part of these three wilderness areas are within the Toiyabe National Forest on the East side of the Sierra Crest. The Mokelumne, Carson-Iceberg, and Emigrant Wilderness. Second, if you cannot pick up your permit, you can call the proper Ranger Station prior to your trip, and the Rangers will fill out your permit and leave it outside for you to pick up. Summer Hours (not detailed), Hiking Map (see above), Draw your permit from the Summit Ranger District of the Stanislaus National Forest if you are hiking North or South out of the Western Highway 108 corridor. Sonora Pass Area, TW region Map As with the Mokelumne Wilderness North of Highway 4, the Toiyabe administers the Eastern portion of the Carson Iceberg Wilderness south of Highway 4 while the Stanislaus National Forest administers its Western half. Section Hiking the TYT from Carson Pass to Tuolumne Meadows in Yosemite. People who have reserved permits can call up to 14 days in advance to have their permit emailed or printed and left in a drop box at the selected visitor center. A Wilderness Permit is need if camping in the Emmigrant Wilderness. As you will arrive at Sonora Pass on the PCT route only a mile East of the TYT's access point on Highway 108 at Saint Marys Pass, you will have substantially the same hitch-hike down to Kennedy Meadows to rejoin the the Tahoe to Yosemite Trail route Southbound to Yosemite. The view from the shoulder of Tyron Peak is really nice. Hikers on the Pacific Crest Trail will see little of the Stanislaus National Forest. For a taste of classic Emigrant Wilderness scenery, consider hiking from the Kennedy Meadows trailhead to Emigrant Lake and Bucks Lake. Pinecrest, CA 95364, Calaveras District The Sierra Crestline acts as the rough dividing line between the Toiyabe National Forest on the Eastern side of the Sierra Nevada between Lake Tahoe and Yosemite, while the El Dorado and Stanislaus National Forests administer the Western flank of the Sierra between Lake Tahoe to the Northwestern Yosemite National Park boundary. Campsite Location Twenty seven miles is around the very minimum distance you can make a TYT-PCT loop around the Carson Iceberg and Emigrant Wilderness, and you can easily stretch these loops out to 80 or 90 miles. Stanislaus National Forest The TYT route is much quieter... On the third hand, the Tahoe to Yosemite backpacker is deprived of the experience of hiking through the Toiyabe National Forest, especially the East Fork of the Carson River. Highway 4 Carson Iceberg Wilderness National Forest PDF Map (good NF map, slow loading), Miles Map An online permit form for a Wilderness Permit is a available. Highway 88 Once you pass South over the Leavitt Massif the PCT turns East to again hike into the Toiyabe National Forest at Kennedy Canyon and remains in the Toiyabe NF until we enter the Northern Boundary of the Yosemite National Park's wilderness through Dorothy Lake Pass. The Tahoe to Yosemite Trail route, Map Credit: Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Region, "A Guide to National Forest Wilderness in California. The Lay of the Land. from Dig a small hole at least 6-8 inches deep and at least 100 feet from water, trails and campsites. Weather, Highway 108 Corridor Too long? Only one permit is needed for continuous trips passing through more than one wilderness area. PCT Northbound alternative Route #2: Extending the Route through the Carson Iceberg Wilderness by tying together elements of the Pacific Crest and Tahoe to Yosemite Trails. From Highway 108 the 75 mile hike South down to Tuolumne Meadows beckons. Bee Gulch, South side of the Carson-Iceberg Wilderness, Hiking Map If you want to start one of these loops out of an East Sierra trailhead you will draw your permit from the proper Ranger District out of the Toiyabe National Forest. Because all national forests are still operating in a virtual environment, all Christmas Tree permits are being offered on www.recreation.gov. especially This is a very different set of trail conditions and atmosphere than hiking on the Pacific Crest Trail. to Disposing of body waste and wash water within 100 feet of any water source is prohibited to protect water quality. Stanislaus National Forest is located in Central California and is one of the largest national forests in the United States. These permits are not valid for the Carson Pass Management Area. Wilderness permits required for overnight camping are not being issued at this time. Yeah, I know you PCTers are in a rush. Flowing westward through the county, the Merced River forms the dividing line between Stanislaus National Forest and Sierra National Forest. Or you can section hike the 34.64 miles of the Tahoe to Yosemite Trail South from Lake Alpine into the Carson Iceberg Wilderness down to Saint Marys Pass on Highway 108. of the Box 500 After we depart the Toiyabe entering Yosemite through Dorthy Lake Pass hiking Southbound along the Pacific Crest Trail, the Toiyabe National Forest continues South from Dorothy Lake Pass by wrapping around the Northeastern perimeter, constituting the boundary of Yosemite as the Hoover Wilderness, almost down to Highway 120, the Tioga Pass Road. Highway 4, TW local mapSummit City Creek (Click the red dots along the TYT route for that location's trail guide page. Carson Iceberg Wilderness, Tahoe to Whitney This regulation helps protect delicate lakeside vegetation, preserves solitude, protects water quality, and allows recovery of closed campsites. The terrain on the Eastern and Western Flanks of the Sierra are considerably different. Emigrant Wilderness / Stanislaus National Forest Click here for permits! There are no quotas for the Carson-Iceberg Wilderness, however Permits are required for all overnight trips. Forest and Wilderness maps can be purchased at any Stanislaus National Forest office or from from the National Forest Store. Carson Iceberg Wilderness, Federal Website links Stanislaus NFHome Page, Stanislaus NF Just delicious. I've hitched and walked into this place many times over the years. Wilderness permits are issued to anyone who will follow certain rules intended to protect both the visitor and the wilderness resource. to Stanislaus Wilderness Volunteers (SWV) in concert with the US Forest Service works to accomplish projects within the forest such as campsite restoration, […] Published August 22, 2020 Gentle Use During Trying Times – A Reflection (Dave Salzer, SWV) We can easily hike sections along the PCT out of the Stanislaus NF by crafting trips either through the Carson Iceberg or Emigrant Wilderness where we link up the PCT and TYT through their connector trails. Well, not necessarily. however, there are no quotas or fees within the Emigrant. Situated on the crest of the Sierra, spread between three National Forests, the Mokelumne is one of the more accessible wilderness areas in the region. If you are section-hiking the Tahoe to Yosemite Trail Southbound between Carson Pass on Highway 88 and Lake Alpine on Highway 4 you will obtain your permit from the Amador Ranger District of the El Dorado National Forest. I have had the pleasure of talking to Dave, Dianne, and Shannon at the Calavaras Ranger Station about permit and trail condition issues. This includes barbeque grates, geocaches, and hunting camps. Stanislaus National Forest. From the S side of the gap we see Huckleberry Lake far below Emigrant Wilderness and North Yosemite. The TYT route requires a different approach to hiking than the PCT. Forest Service Christmas Tree Permits for the Tahoe National Forest will be available online at Recreation.gov beginning October 22, 2020. If the TYT hiker does not alter their route they will miss the East Carson River in the Toiyabe National Forest. Or first hike the classic routes of each trail, then start weaving them together. M-Sat: 8:00am to 4:30 pm (closed holidays), Winter Hours (December through mid-January) M-F: 8:00am to 4:30pm (closed holidays). Leave No Trace Shooting A ... Cherry Lake: Stanislaus National Forest; Saddlebag Lake: Inyo National Forest; 6. Group Size Limits Lake Alpine on Highway 4 to Saint Marys Pass on Highway 108. Wilderness Permits It is an elongated area that trends northeast about 25 miles in length and up to 15 miles in width. Unless you exercise some of these same route options, and weave-in elements of the Tahoe to Yosemite Trail into your PCT hike through these same connector trails mentioned above and in the trail guide. Too Hard? the Expect to drive about four hours from San Francisco to reach the trailhead. These route options mixing up the best sections of the Tahoe to Yosemite and Pacific Crest Trail as you hike through the Stanislaus National Forest will add a few dozen miles, and give you a good taste of the Stanislaus National Forest if you are a Pacific Crest Trail hiker. Fill-in all the required fields below with your information for your printable Campfire permit. (Click the red dots along the TYT route for that location's trail guide page. The PDF file format allows documents to be saved in one common format that is downloadable by anyone. First, your exit and re supply strategy from Yosemite National Park. Stanislaus National Forest is a United States national forest which manages 898,099 acres of land in four counties in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of Northern California. Big View Wilderness permits are required for overnight camping. (November - April) M-F: 8:00am to 4:30pm Sat: 8:30am to 2:00pm. (Trail map -- Forest map) It is prohibited to leave unattended within the wilderness any equipment, personal property or supplies for a period in excess of 24 hours to preserve the undeveloped character of wilderness. Please contact Yosemite National Park for new information about wilderness permits. Though not a wilderness area, the Toiyabe NF South of Highway 108 stretches down around the Eastern boundary of the Emigrant Wilderness, continuing Southeast to wrap around the Northeastern boundary of the Yosemite backcountry. A good option if this is your first time backpacking. The alternative route for the Southbound Tahoe to Yosemite hiker is to exit Saint Marys Pass and walk the mile East up to Sonora Pass. maps index, TW region Map That's too bad, as the Stanislaus has a lot of beautiful terrain that PCT hikers miss.And I'm very happy that the PCT skirts around the heart of the Emigrant Wilderness. Wilderness Information, Stanislaus National Forest But let's not get out of balance, as the Stanislaus National Forest administers amazing terrain in the Mokelumne, Carson Iceberg, and Emigrant Wilderness along the West flank of the Sierra Crest. If you are section-hiking the TYT Northbound between Lake Alpine on Highway 4 to Carson Pass on Highway 88 or South to Highway 108, you will obtain your permit from the Calavaras Ranger District of the Stanislaus National Forest. Miles from Trailheads page, Stanislaus NF Until this stage of reopening is reached, the Stanislaus National Forest will not issue the required overnight camping wilderness permits to visitors. Between Carson Pass and Sonora Pass the PCT passes mostly through Volcanic terrain within the Toiyabe National Forest, with the notable exception of the upper reaches of the East Fork of the Carson River. If we are section hiking the Tahoe to Yosemite Trail Southbound between Carson Pass on Highway 88 to Lake Alpine on Highway 4 we need to obtain our permit from the Amador Ranger District of the El Dorado National Forest. Campfires are prohibited in the Mokelumne Wilderness above 8000 feet and within ¼ mile of the high water line (3949 feet) at Salt Springs Reservoir. The annual traffic is heavy when the "main body" of PCT hikers pass through the Sierra Nevada, and I'm glad it goes around the heart of the Emigrant Wilderness. There's really no problem obtaining permits from the Stanislaus National Forest for backpacking trips in any of their wilderness areas. Carson-Iceberg Wilderness Miles (real cool), Miles Page Sonora Pass and Highway 108 sit on the North side of Leavitt Peak.The smart PCT hiker hitches 9 miles West down Highway 108 to resupply at Kennedy Meadows Pack Station-not Bridgeport, then hitches back up to Sonora Pass to continue South along the PCT. These permits are not valid for the Carson Pass Management Area. Stanislaus NF, Wilderness Until this stage of reopening is reached, the Stanislaus National Forest will not issue the required overnight camping wilderness permits to visitors. Geography. Easy to obtain free permits; Gorgeous! to You can hike loops to and from your selected trailheads along the PCT or TYT on both Highway 4 and Highway 108. Stock is limited to 25 head. If camping overnight, make sure to pick up your wilderness permit at the Summit Ranger Station near Pinecrest. Got it? The Emigrant Wilderness Loop is a 19.5-mile loop located in Stanislaus National Forest, California, that can be hiked in 1-3 days. All Stanislaus NF PDF Road Map Although Bear Canisters are currently not required in these Stanislaus National Forest wilderness areas, please see the When Visiting Bear Country information guide for basic good practices around bears. We will pull our permit from whichever Ranger District covers our beginning trailhead. That approach will get you lost. Trail Guide Highway 4 You can see where the TYT comes up from Kennedy Meadows and the difference between the PCT and TYT routes South of Sonora Pass. The Forest has moved all permit sales online to provide an alternative to in-person transactions which are currently unavailable due to Tahoe National Forest Offices still being closed to the public. A Wilderness Permit is required for overnight visits to the Emigrant, Carson-Iceberg, and Mokelumne Wildernesses from April 1 through November 30. Trail Guide Maps, TYT Tying pack and saddle stock to trees, except while loading or unloading, is prohibited to reduce tree damage. 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