The mountains are honest. Be prepared, and they will treat you fairly.
Wilderness travel rewards humility. Here are the same lessons we share at our clinics — written plainly, without gimmicks, and updated each season.
Enjoying the Mokelumne Wilderness from 10K foot Round Top Mountain
What to carry, every trip
Even on a short summer day-hike near the crest, weather can turn within an hour. Carry these ten essentials — and know how to use each one before you leave the trailhead.
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01
Navigation — paper map and compass; GPS as a supplement, never a substitute.
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02
Sun protection — broad hat, SPF, sunglasses; UV intensifies above 8,000 feet.
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03
Insulation — extra mid-layer; nighttime temperatures can drop forty degrees.
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04
Illumination — headlamp with fresh batteries, even on a dawn-to-dusk trip.
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05
First-aid kit — wound care, blister care, antihistamine, personal medications.
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06
Fire — lighter and waterproof matches in a sealed bag.
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07
Repair kit and knife — small multi-tool, duct tape, cord.
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08
Nutrition — extra food beyond your planned intake.
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09
Hydration — at least three liters or a reliable filter for refills.
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10
Emergency shelter — bivy, space blanket, or large trash bag.
Reading Sierra skies
Afternoon thunderstorms are common from July through August. Plan to be off exposed ridges and summits by noon. If you hear thunder, descend immediately — even a clear sky overhead is not a guarantee.
Care that does not announce itself
Plan ahead. Know the regulations and conditions. Carry out everything you carry in.
Travel and camp on durable surfaces — granite, gravel, dry grass — never on living vegetation.
Dispose of waste properly. Bury human waste 6–8 inches deep, 200 feet from water.
Leave what you find. No flagging tape, no rock arrangements, no signatures.
Minimize campfire impact. Use a stove. Where fires are allowed, keep them small and use existing rings.
Respect wildlife. Observe from a distance. Never feed; always store food.
Be considerate of others. Voices carry in the high country. Yield uphill on the trail.
Permits, regulations, and contacts
Wilderness Permits
- Day-use does not require a permit, but groups are limited to 12 people.
- Overnight stays require a permit — available at the Carson Pass Information Station or download here.
- Overnight stays within the Carson Pass Management Area may only be in designated campsites.
- Reservations for designated CPMA sites are available on a first come, first served basis at the Carson Pass Information Station on the date of the first night of your stay.
Fire Regulations
Campfires are prohibited anywhere within the Mokelumne Wilderness boundaries.
Only stove use is permitted in the Mokelumne Wilderness and only with a fire permit. Fire permits are available online at permit.preventwildfiresca.org or at the Carson Pass Information Station.
Dogs and Stock
Dogs must be on leash in the Carson Pass Management Area for the following reasons:
Wildlife Protection
Keeping dogs on a leash helps protect local wildlife from disturbances and potential harm caused by off-leash dogs.
User Safety
Leashing dogs reduces conflicts between different trail users ensuring a safer experience for everyone.
Horses and pack stock are permitted on most trails; check individual trail notes for stock restrictions.
Leave No Trace
Bury human waste 6–8 inches deep, 200 feet from water, trails, and camp. Pack out all trash including food scraps. Camp on durable surfaces only — granite, gravel, dry grass.
Volunteer Forms and Information
All volunteers (new and old) need to fill out and return the new volunteer agreement (OF301a_MWV) found below. These must be either dropped off at the Amador Ranger Station at 26820 Silver Drive in Pioneer, CA, 95666, mailed in to the same address or a scanned PDF may be submitted to christopher.sailor@usda.gov. Photos of this document will not be accepted. Volunteers need to review the Description of Volunteer Service and the Risk Assessment.
Any new volunteers must attend a field training session with Johnny before they can start volunteering and all volunteers need to track their hours on the attached Volunteer Time Record. These will need to be submitted to christopher.sailor@usda.gov at the end of each month.
Volunteer Time Record
PDF · 48 KBTrack and submit your volunteer hours for each work date. Required for all crew members at the end of every outing.
Backpacking Risk Acknowledgement
PDF · 72 KBRisk acknowledgement form for overnight backpacking volunteer activities within the Mokelumne Wilderness.
Description of Volunteer Service — MWV
PDF · 56 KBDescribes the scope and nature of volunteer service provided through the Mokelumne Wilderness Volunteers program.
General Field Work — Eldorado NF
PDF · 64 KBGeneral field work volunteer agreement for activities conducted within the Eldorado National Forest.
OF-301a Volunteer Agreement — MWV
PDF · 80 KBOfficial federal volunteer services agreement form required for all MWV participants prior to field work.
Trail Maintenance — Eldorado NF
PDF · 68 KBTrail maintenance volunteer agreement and task description form for Eldorado National Forest work parties.