Alpine County Nature and Wildlife The 160,000 acre Carson-Iceberg Wilderness straddles the crest of the central Sierra Nevada, within the Stanislaus and Toiyabe National Forests. This area lies within portions of Tuolumne and Alpine County and is bordered by State Highway 108 on the south and State Highway 4 on the north. Watersheds drain to the Stanislaus River on the west slope and the Carson River on the east slope. The name Carson-Iceberg is derived from two prominent geographical features: the Carson River was named for noted scout and explorer Kit Carson. It has distinctive granite formation called "The Iceberg" on the southern boundary near Clark Fork Road.

Mokulmne Wilderness Information

Carson-Iceberg Wilderness

The Carson-Iceberg Wilderness is a rugged landscape of great scenic beauty. Much of the area is dominated by volcanic ridges and peaks. Prominent in the southwestern portion are the Dardanelles. There are many streams flowing through deep granitic canyons but few lakes. Elevations range from about 5000 feet near Donnell Reservoir to 11,462 feet at Sonora Peak. From some vantage points one can view vast desert to the east and dense conifer forest to the west. Precipitation averages 50 inches annually on the west slope and as little as 15 inches on the east slope, 80 percent of it in the form of snow. Snow packs typically linger into June, sometimes later following very wet winters. Summers are generally dry and mild, but afternoon thundershowers occur periodically and nighttime temperatures may dip below freezing anytime.

History

Various Native Americans inhabited the area for 10,000 years. The most recent inhabitants, the Me Wuk from the west slope and the Washoe of the Great Basin, spent the warmer months hunting in the high country and trading with each other. In 1827, Jedediah Smith and fellow trappers crossed from east to west somewhere near Ebbetts Pass. The earliest emigrant crossing in the Carson-Iceberg area was in 1841 by the Bartleson-Bidwell party, just north of Sonora Pass. Following the discovery of gold in 1848 and the subsequent increase in population, native cultures quickly declined. As this new population became more established, sheep and cattle grazing became the major use of this area. Grazing continues to this day, but recreation has now become the dominant use.

Permits

A Wilderness Visitor's Permit is required for overnight visits to the Carson-Iceberg Wilderness. Only one permit is required for trips which are continuous and pass through more than one Wilderness. Group sizes are limited to 15 people and 25 pack and saddle stock. 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.

Travel

There are approximately 195 miles of trails in the Wilderness. Travel is restricted to foot or horseback. Mechanized transportation of any kind, including bicycles, is prohibited. Major trailheads on the Stanislaus portion are Wheat's Meadow, County Line, Arnot Creek, Disaster Creek, and Clark Fork on the Summit Ranger District and Silver Valley, Stanislaus Meadow, Mosquito Lakes, Pacific Valley, and Highland Lakes on the Calaveras Ranger District.

For guide services and saddle and pack stock contact:
Kennedy Meadows Resort
P.O. Box 4010
Sonora, Ca. 95370
(209) 965-3900