Stanislaus National Forest

Recreation Activities

Wilderness

Wilderness Regulations

To help ensure protection of the wilderness environment, Wilderness regulations are in effect on the Stanislaus National Forest. Forest Service Rangers will be present and violators of these regulations may be cited and fined. The official orders authorizing enforcement of these regulations are available for review at any Stanislaus National Forest office.

The following regulations apply to all Wilderness use on the Stanislaus National Forest.

1. Wilderness visitors must possess a valid Wilderness Visitor's Permit for overnight trips.
2. Campsites must be at least 100 feet from lakes, streams and trails.
3. Dispose of body waste and wash water at least 100 feet from all water sources. (200 feet is recommended.)
4. Do not use any soap, even biodegradable, in lakes or streams.
5. Cutting or defacing standing trees, live or dead, is prohibited.
6. Mechanized vehicles and equipment, including chainsaws, bicycles, wagons, and carts, are prohibited.
7. Construction of improvements such as rock walls, large fireplaces, and tables, is prohibited.
8. Discharging firearms is permitted only for taking of wildlife under California game laws
9. Do not leave unattended any property or supplies for more than 24 hours.
10. Pets must be kept under control and not allowed to harass wildlife or people.
11. Do not shortcut trail switchbacks.
12. Pack out all refuse.
13. Do not tie stock to trees, except while loading or unloading.
14. Holding stock within 100 feet of lakes, streams or campsites is prohibited.
15. Stock grazing is not permitted before authorized on-dates.

In addition to the general regulations above, the following specific regulations apply to each individual Wilderness.

Carson-Iceberg Wilderness

1. Maximum group size is 15 people.
2. Maximum number of pack and saddle stock is 25.

Emigrant Wilderness

1. One night camping limit per trip at the following lakes: Bear, Camp, Grouse, Powell, and Waterhouse.
2. No campfires above 9,000 feet; and, no campfires within 1/2 mile of Emigrant Lake.
3. No holding of stock within ¼ mile of the following lakes: Bear, Camp, Deer, Grouse, Powell, Waterhouse and Wood.
4. No holding of more than 4 head of stock within ¼ mile of the following lakes:, Gem, Jewelry, Long, Maxwell, Pingree, Piute and Rosasco.
5. Maximum group size is 15 people.
6. Maximum number of pack and saddle stock is 25.

Mokelumne Wilderness

1. The maximum group size is 12 people for day use and 8 people for overnight use. Exceptions may be made for larger groups traveling through the Mokelumne Wilderness on the Pacific Crest Trail, with Forest Supervisor approval. These exceptions will not exceed 15 people per group.

2. An overnight camping quota system, designed to reduce impacts in heavily used areas, extends from Friday of Memorial Day weekend to September 30 each year. Overnight use of the Carson Pass Management Area is limited to 6 to 8 groups, at designated campsites at Round Top and/or Winnemucca Lake, with an overnight stay limit of 2 nights. Fourth of July Lake is limited to 6 groups at designated campsites with a 3 night stay limit. Permits for quota areas must be obtained through the Amador Ranger District on the Eldorado National Forest (209) 295-4251.

3. Visitors must bury human waste at least 200' away from water, trails, and campsites. Toilet paper must be buried or packed out.

4. To protect and promote the restoration of the shoreline, camping is not permitted within 300' of Emigrant Lake and within 1/4 mile of Frog Lake (except for snow camping).

5. Open wood campfires are prohibited in the Carson Pass Management Area. In addition, wood campfires are prohibited in the entire Mokelumne Wilderness above 8000' elevation.

6. Dogs must be on a leash or under physical control in the Carson Pass, Emigrant Lake, and Fourth of July Lake Management Areas. Elsewhere in the Mokelumne Wilderness, dogs must be on a leash, under physical control or under immediate voice control. Immediate voice control is defined as the dog being within 50' of the owner and the dog immediately obeys voice commands or signals.

Use of Recreational Pack Stock

The term Pack Stock is used to include horses and mules which are ridden or packed, as well as llamas, pack goats and other live stock. 

Special Area Restrictions for Stock Use in the Mokelumne Canyon:

1. The maximum number of stock per group for both day and overnight use is 12. Exceptions may be made for groups traveling through the Mokelumne Wilderness on the Pacific Crest Trail on a case by case basis. These exceptions will not exceed 25 animals per group.

2. Holding or confining stock within 200 feet of lakes, streams, and other water sources is prohibited. Confine stock away from camping areas.

3. In areas with active cattle allotments, stock grazing is not permitted before the cattle are brought on for the season. This date varies from year to year and can be confirmed by contacting the Calaveras Ranger District in Hathaway Pines at (209) 795-1381 or the Amador Ranger District in Pioneer at (209) 295-4251.

4. All feed brought into the Wilderness must be certified weed seed free, or processed feed such as alfalfa pellets or crimped oats. Stock users are encouraged to feed animals weed seed free feed for two days prior to a trip into the Wilderness.

5. Tying stock directly to trees is prohibited except during loading and unloading or while taking short rest breaks.

Stock use is prohibited in most of the Mokelumne Canyon with the following exceptions:

1. Stock use is permitted in lower Summit City Canyon from Telephone Gulch to the end of the maintained system trail (where the trail crosses Summit City Creek). 

2. Stock use is permitted from the Hermit Valley Trailhead to approximately 1/2 mile below the crossing of Deer Creek.

3. Stock use is permitted  along the Munson Meadow/Camp Irene/Lake Valley Corridor on a  limited basis. Camping with stock is allowed only at Camp Irene. Length of stay limited to two nights. Number of stock limited to four animals. Only one party allowed at Camp Irene at one time. A special permit is required and may be obtained at the Calaveras or Amador Ranger District Offices.

4. This restriction on stock use in the Mokelumne Canyon does not apply to llamas and pack goats due to their smaller size and padded feet. A more detailed description of area restrictions on stock use in the Mokelumne Canyon is available on request.

USDA Forest Service - Stanislaus National Forest
Last Modified: Tuesday, 27 November 2007 at 20:38:25 EST