Stanislaus National Forest

Recreation Activities

Wilderness Carson-Iceberg | Emigrant | Mokelumne The Stanislaus National Forest contains all of the Emigrant Wilderness and portions of the Carson-Iceberg and Mokelumne Wilderness areas. These areas are closed to all motorized use. Livestock grazing and mining are permitted uses. The pristine and dramatic scenery as a backdrop offers outstanding hiking, backpacking, and horseback riding opportunities. Wilderness permits are required for overnight stays, and group size is limited. Camping is not allowed within 100 feet of streams, trails, or lakes. PROTECTION According to the Wilderness Act of 1964, wilderness areas are "where earth and its community of life remains untrammeled, where man himself is a visitor who does not remain".  Wilderness Protection will never be gained simply by issuing a set of rules and regulations. It must come with love and understanding of the land. Wilderness protection is a personal ethic. Some mark is left in Wilderness each time we visit, but each of us can make sure this mark is a small one. Minimum impact or no trace camping should be considered common sense behavior in the backcountry, but many people are not aware of what they leave behind.

PERMITS

A Wilderness Visitor's Permit is required for overnight visits to the Carson-Iceberg, Emigrant and Mokelumne Wildernesses. Only one permit is required for trips which are continuous and pass through more than one Wilderness. One permit is required per trip per group. If you have a larger group than is permitted, reduce the number of people, split the group to visit different areas, or visit an area which permits larger numbers. You are not permitted to camp or travel within one mile of a related group. Special regulations for recreation, pack and saddle stock use are attached to the Wilderness permit. Your permit doubles as a campfire permit while in the Wilderness. See Wilderness Regulations for general and Wilderness-specific regulations.

For trips entering Yosemite National Park Wilderness from Cherry Lake, Kibbie Ridge or Lake Eleanor, contact the Groveland Ranger District by phone no more than 24 hours in advance of your trip.

TRIP PLANNING

Wilderness permits are required for overnight camping. Permits can be obtained at any Stanislaus National Forest office. You may obtain your permit the same day as your trip since there are no quotas at any wilderness area within the Stanislaus National Forest. If you are coming in after hours to start your trip, call one of our Ranger District offices. A wilderness permit will be filled out and left in after-hours pick up boxes.

LEAVE NO TRACE

Each year Wilderness becomes more heavily used. Leave No Trace of your presence. These reminders may help you to leave no trace of your visit.

Camping: camp at least 100 feet from water and trails. Camping on previously used sites creates far less impact than camping on pristine sites. Camp on mineral soil, never in meadows or soft grassy areas that compact easily. Pick a place where you won't have to clear vegetation or level a tent site.

Campfires: use gas stoves to avoid the depletion of wood. If you do have a fire, use an existing fire ring at least 100 feet from water and trails. Use wood found on the ground that is no more than 1-3 inches in diameter.

Water Quality: lakes and streams can be contaminated even though they look and taste pure. The surest method of treatment to make water safe to drink is to boil it for 5 minutes. Other methods are filtering and/or using chemical disinfectants such as iodine or chlorine tablets or drops.

Sanitation: human feces left close to water or unburied can spread disease and contaminate drinking water. Bury fecal matter in a hole 6-10 inches deep, far from lakes, streams, and campsites--at least 100 feet (200 feet recommended). Pack out tampons, sanitary napkins, disposable diapers and any other refuse. Do not wash yourself, utensils, or clothing in lakes or streams. All soap, even biodegradable, pollutes lakes and streams. Carry a bucket of water at least 100 feet from water sources, wash, then dispose of wash water in a hole. Fill the hole before breaking camp.

Garbage: carry out all unburned material. Do not bury food scraps; burn them completely or pack them out. Buried garbage attracts and may be harmful to animals. Clean fish far from water and campsites - at least 100 feet. Wherever possible, use refuse containers for all non-burnable waste.

Solitude: an important aspect of the wilderness experience is the quality of solitude; freedom from the intrusion of human sights, sounds and odors. To preserve this feature, please travel and camp in small groups, leaving firearms, radios, and pets at home. Respect the solitude of others by avoiding boisterous behavior and loud noises. Choose equipment that is not brightly colored or highly visible.

On the Trail: cutting across trail switchbacks causes soil erosion and trail damage. Staying on the trail is safer, easier, and saves trail maintenance costs. Please do not leave trail markers of any kind. Always give stock the right-of-way by moving well off the trail on the downhill side.