DISCOVER THE HIDDEN ADVENTURES OF CARSON ICEBERG WILDERNESS

Explore Like a Marine!

Once the former mountain warfare training grounds of the U.S. Marine Corps, the Carson-Iceberg Wilderness as well as the Carson River draw their names from Kit Carson, one of America’s early western frontiersman. Following his initiative and boldness the first group of emigrants from the East crossed the Sierra in 1841 just north of Sonora Pass.

This unique and special wilderness area is a favorite of Sierra Rec Magazine, because of its quite untouched nature.  Filled with deep canyons and river canyons that carve the landscape the Carson Iceberg Wilderness is an easy escape for the Carson City / Lake Tahoe region of the Sierra.

Inhabited most recently by the Miwok Indians but for over 10,000 years by other native groups, the Carson-Iceberg, has supported human life for thousands of years. 

Designated wilderness in 1984 and managed today by both the Toiyabe and Stanislaus National Forests, the Carson-Iceberg includes both eastern and western slopes of the Sierra in its 161,181 acres. Though it lacks modern-day glaciers, the effect of glaciation is clear on its “Iceberg” namesake, a distinctive rock formation near Clark Fork Road on the wilderness’s southern boundary. The area is also characterized by a geologic anomaly – a series of volcanic peaks and ridges known as the Dardanelles.

Glacial carved river valleys are prevalent in the Carson Iceberg wilderness but lakes are limited. Compared to the Desolation Wilderness to the North, Carson Iceberg Wilderness is far less visited by tourist traffic and backpackers, hikers and horseman can find a quiet day in the wilderness in almost every corner.

Access to the Carson Iceberg Wilderness generally takes a little navigation on several back road connections that will end at the Wilderness boarded. Locations such as Wolf Creek or the Highland route have limited amenity Campgrounds suitable for horses at the wilderness boundaries.

Bull run Lake, Sword Lake and Heiser lake are the most common lake backpacking destinations.  The headwaters of the East Fork of the Carson River, the Clark Fork of the Stanislaus, and the Mokelumne River can also be explored in the Carson Iceberg Wilderness. 

high trial carson iceberg vista

Featured Carson Iceberg Wilderness Adventures

Editors Choice - Carson Iceberg Wilderness Adventure

Congress designated the Carson-Iceberg Wilderness in 1984. Most of the area still includes cattle grazing allotments, and you will likely encounter cows or their signs from July to September. The Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail runs for over 26 miles within the Carson-Iceberg. About 200 total miles of foot and horse trails give access to this outstanding wilderness, where human use is moderate, especially on the eastern side.

Carson-Iceberg Wilderness: Trail Mileages Stanislaus National Forest

Day Hiking

Recreation areas with activity Day Hiking:

 

Backpacking

Recreation areas with activity Backpacking:

Horse Riding

Recreation areas with activity Horse Riding:

Featured Trails and Elevations of the Carson Iceberg Wilderness

  • Trailhead: Arnot Creek -Elevation 6240’, native surface, limited parking, fair overnight camping opportunities, no facilities.
    From Summit Ranger District (Pinecrest) take Hwy 108 east 20 miles to Clark Fork Road. Turn left on Clark Fork Road and continue 6.5 miles. Trailhead is just across from the Clark Fork
    Campground on left.
    From Mi-Wok Ranger District (Mi Wuk
    Village) take Hwy 108 east 32 miles to Clark Fork
    Road. Turn left and continue 6.5 miles. Trailhead
    is just across from the Clark Fork Campground on
    left.
  • Trailhead: Clark Fork
    Elevation 6400’, native surface, limited parking, fair overnight camping opportunities, no facilities. From Summit Ranger District (Pinecrest) take Hwy 108 east 20 miles to Clark Fork Road. Turn
    left on Clark Fork Road and continue 10 miles to the end of the road. Trail departs from right-hand side of the road along Clark Fork Creek.
    From Mi-Wok Ranger District (Mi Wuk Village) take Hwy 108 east 32 miles to Clark Fork Road. Turn left on Clark Fork Road and continue
    10 miles to the end of the road. Trail departs from right-hand side of road along Clark Fork Creek
  • Trailhead: Corral Valley
    Elevation: 8,300’
  • Trailhead: Heiser Lake
    Elevation: 7,950’
  • Trailhead: Pacific Valley
    Elevation: 7,600’
  • Trailhead: Seven Pines
    Elevation 6400’, native surface, limited parking, fair
    overnight camping opportunities, no facilities.
    From Summit Ranger District (Pinecrest) take
    Hwy 108 east 26.5 miles, a mile past the Eureka
    Valley Campground. Trailhead is on left. Watch for
    trailhead sign. Parking just off highway.
    From Mi-Wok Ranger District (Mi Wuk
    Village) take Hwy 108 east 39 miles, a mile
    past the Eureka Valley Campground. Trailhead is
    on left. Watch for trailhead sign. Parking just off
    highway.
  • Trailhead: Sonora Pass/
    Pacific Crest Trail (North)
    Elevation 9600’, improved surface, limited parking,
    fair overnight camping opportunities, accessible
    restrooms. Pacific Crest Trail crosses Hwy 108 at
    parking area.
    From Summit Ranger District (Pinecrest) take
    Hwy 108 east 38½ miles. Parking area located on
    left.
    From Mi-Wok Ranger District (Mi Wuk
    Village) take Hwy 108 east 51½ miles. Parking
    area located on left.
    From Bridgeport Ranger District (Bridgeport)
    take Hwy 395 north 17 miles to Hwy 108. Go west
    on Hwy 108 for 14 miles. Parking located on right.
  • Trailhead: Spicer Mdw Reservoir
    Elevation: 6,400’
  • Trailhead: Wheat’s Meadow
    Elevation 6400’, native surface, limited parking,
    fair overnight camping opportunities, no facilities.
    From Summit Ranger District (Pinecrest) take
    Hwy 108 east 20 miles to Clark Fork Road. Turn
    left on Clark Fork Road, continue 1 mile until
    crossing second bridge and turn left toward Fence
    Creek Campground. Continue 4 miles and look
    closely for trailhead sign on left (among trees),
    about 1½ mile before County Line trailhead.
    From Mi-Wok Ranger District (Mi Wuk
    Village) take Hwy 108 east 32 miles to Clark Fork
    Road. Turn left on Clark Fork Road, continue 1
    mile until crossing second bridge and turn left toward Fence Creek Campground. Continue 4 miles
    and look closely for trailhead sign on left (among
    trees), about 1½ mile before County Line
    trailhead.’
  • Trailhead: Disaster Creek
    Elevation 6400’, native surface, limited parking, fair
    overnight camping opportunities, no facilities.
    From Summit Ranger District (Pinecrest) take
    Hwy 108 east 20 miles to Clark Fork Road. Turn
    left on Clark Fork Road and continue 10 miles to
    the end of the road. Trail departs from left-hand
    side of road along Disaster Creek.
    From Mi-Wok Ranger District (Mi Wuk
    Village) take Hwy 108 east 32 miles to Clark Fork
    Road. Turn left on Clark Fork Road and continue
    10 miles to the end of the road. Trail departs from
    left-hand side of road along Disaster Creek.
  • Trailhead: Ebbett’s Pass
    Elevation: 8,800’
  • Trailhead: Elephant Rock
    Elevation: 7,100’
  • Trailhead: St Mary’s Pass
    Elevation 9600’, native surface, limited parking,
    fair overnight camping opportunities, no facilities.
    Pacific Crest Trail crosses Hwy 108 at parking
    area.
    From Summit Ranger District (Pinecrest) take
    Hwy 108 east 37½ miles. Parking area is
    located on left.
    From Mi-Wok Ranger District (Mi Wuk
    Village) take Hwy 108 east 50½ miles. Parking
    area is located on left.
    From Bridgeport Ranger District (Bridgeport)
    take Hwy 395 north 17 miles to Hwy 108. Go west
    on Hwy 108 for 14 miles.
    Parking located on right.
  • Trailhead: County Line
    Elevation 7200’, native surface, limited parking,
    fair overnight camping opportunities, no facilities.
    From Summit Ranger District (Pinecrest) take
    Hwy 108 east 20 miles to Clark Fork Road. Turn
    left on Clark Fork Road, continue 1 mile until
    crossing second bridge and turn left toward Fence
    Creek Campground. Continue 5.5 miles to the end
    of the road.
    From Mi-Wok Ranger District (Mi Wuk
    Village) take Hwy 108 east 32 miles to Clark
    Fork Road. Turn left on Clark Fork Road, continue
    1 mile until crossing second bridge and turn left
    toward Fence Creek Campground
 
Trailhead Elevation Destination Miles
Arnot Creek 6,350' Arnot Creek/Woods Gulch Jct. 2.0
Woods Gulch 4.0
Jenkins Canyon 6.0
Disaster Creek Trail 6.5
Highland Creek 8.0
Upper Gardner Meadow 8.0
Hiram Meadow 10.0
Sword Lake 12.0
Highland Lake 12.5
Lost Lake 12.5
County Line TH 14.0
Lake Alpine 18.0
Trailhead Elevation Destination Miles
Corral Valley 8,300' Coyote Valley TH 1.0
Poison Flat 4.2
Coyote Valley 4.3
Connel’s Cow Camp 5.8
Soda Spring 6.2
Poison Lake 6.7
Carson River 8.2
Falls Meadow 8.2
Silver Creek Meadow 9.3
Murray Canyon 10.2
PCT Trail 11.2
Ebbett’s Pass 22.7
Sonora Pass 25.2
Trailhead Elevation Destination Miles
Seven Pines 6,200' Clark Fork/St Mary’s 7.0
Boulder Creek 9.0
Clark Fork Meadow 9.5
Boulder Lake 10.8
Clark Fork TH 11.5
St Mary’s TH 12.0
Trailhead Elevation Destination Miles
Wheat’s Meadow 6,500' Dardanelle Creek 1.5
Wheat’s Cow Camp 3.0
Burgson Lake 3.1
Sword Lake 4.5
Lost Lake 5.0
Bummer’s Flat TH 6.0
County Line TH 6.5
Spicer Mdw Reservoir 6.5
Highland Creek 8.5
Trailhead Elevation Destination Miles
Disaster Creek 6,400' Adams Camp 2.5
Adams Camp PCT 3.5
Golden Canyon 3.5
Upper Gardner Mdw 6.5
Carson Falls 7.5
Murry Canyon 8.5
Falls Meadow 9.0
Trailhead Elevation Destination Miles
Elephant Rock 7,100' Rock Lake 2.0
Silver Valley TH 3.0
Duck Lake 4.0
Summit Lake TH 5.0
Rock Lk Trl to Duck L 5.5
Highland Creek 8.5
Bull Run Peak 10.5
Trailhead Elevation Destination Miles
County Line 7,200' Sword Lake 2.0
Lost Lake 2.5
Highland Creek 6.0
Wheats Mdw TH 6.5
Hiram Meadow 8.0
Highland Lake 12.5
Trailhead Elevation Destination Miles
Clark Fork 6,400' Boulder Creek 2.5
Boulder Lake 4.2
Seven Pines Trail 4.5
Clark Fork Meadow 7.0
St Mary’s Pass TH Jc 9.5
St Mary’s Pass 10.0
Trailhead Elevation Destination Miles
Heiser Lake 7,950' Heiser Lake 1.5
Bull Run Lake 3.6
Stanislaus Mdw TH 5.0
Trailhead Elevation Destination Miles
Pacific Valley 7,600' Bull Run Peak 3.0
Highland Creek 6.5
Hiram Meadow 7.0
Tryon Meadow 8.0
Jenkins Canyon 8.5
Sword Lake 10.5
Lost Lake 11.0
County Line TH 12.5
Trailhead Elevation Destination Miles
Sonora Pass/Pacific Crest Trail (North) 9,600' Wolf Creek 3.0
White Canyon 9.0
Carson Falls 10.5
Golden Canyon 11.5
Asa Lake 17.0
Noble Lake 17.6
Noble Creek 21.6
Ebbett’s Pass 24.5
Trailhead Elevation Destination Miles
Spicer Mdw Reservoir 6,400' Wheat’s Cow Camp 3.5
Dardanelle Creek 5.0
Bummer’s Flat 6.5
Wheat’s Mdw TH 6.5
Sword Lake 8.5
Lost Lake 8.5
County Line TH 10.0
Highland Creek 12.0
Hiram Meadow 14.0
Highland Lake 18.5
Trailhead Elevation Destination Miles
Ebbett’s Pass 8,800' PCT/Noble Lake 4.0
Bull Lake Trail 4.5
Bull Lake 8.0
Asa Lake 6.5
Murray Canyon 10.5
Golden Lake 12.0
White Canyon 15.5
Adams Camp 15.6
Carson Falls 16.1
Wolf Creek Mdw 16.5
Disaster Creek TH 18.1
Wolf Creek 21.5
Sonora Pass TH 24.5

Wilderness Regulations Emigrant/Carson Iceberg/Mokelumne Areas
Stanislaus National Forest

The following regulations are necessary to assure that future generations will find the
Wilderness at least as wild and free as it is for your visit. Violation of any of these regulations could result in a substantial penalty. Official
orders authorizing enforcement are available for review in Forest and District offices. Wilderness visitors must possess a valid permit for overnight trips.
Do not camp, travel or gather in groups exceeding 15 persons. (Limit per group is 12 persons in the Mokelumne Wilderness. Voluntary reduction of group size when traveling in wilderness areas is always encouraged as a hedge against resource damage.)

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  • Dispose of body waste and wash water more than 100 feet from water, trails and campsites. Use “cat holes” six to eight inches deep for human waste.
  • Do not use any soap in lakes or streams. Even biodegradable soaps are a shock to fragile and pristine
    aquatic ecosystems. “Wash” using a bucket well away from surface water.
  • Campsites must be at least 100 feet from lakes, streams, trails and any “No Camping” signs.
  • Pack out all refuse.
  • Do not cut standing trees or deface them in any way.
  • Do not shortcut trail switchbacks.
  • Mechanized and motorized vehicles and equipment (including chainsaws, bicycles, Drones and carts) are prohibited. Non -motorized wheelchairs may be utilized.
  • Construction of items such as rock walls, structures, tables or improvements of any permanent kind is prohibited.
  • Do not build new fire rings—use the existing ones, please (except those too close to water).
  • Do not leave any property (including camping gear, food or other provisions) unattended for longer than 24 hours.
  • Discharging of firearms is permitted only for the taking of game during appropriate hunting seasons.
  • Out-of-control dogs are not permitted. Check county ordinances for pet control requirements.
  • One night camping limits (per trip) are applicable at the following lakes: Grouse, Camp, Bear, Powell and Waterhouse
  • Campfires are prohibited above 9,000 feet in elevation and within ½ mile of Emigrant Lake.

WILDERNESS PERMITS

The western half of the Carson-Iceberg is managed by the Stanislaus National Forest, while the eastern half is managed by the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. There are no quotas for the Carson-Iceberg Wilderness, however Permits are required for all overnight trips. Use the links in the sidebar to access the appropriate National Forest for more info.

BEARS AND FOOD STORAGE

Bear canisters are recommended. Use the Bear Section on this site to learn more.

CAMPFIRES

Campfires are generally allowed within the Carson-Iceberg wilderness, with a few exceptions. In places where fires are allowed, always follow smart campfire guidelines.

PETS

Pets must be kept under control and not allowed to harass wildlife or people.

Wildlife

The Carson-Iceberg Wilderness, located in the Sierra Nevada range of California, is home to a diverse array of wildlife. While the exact species you may encounter can vary depending on factors such as season and habitat, here are some of the wildlife commonly found in this wilderness area:

  1. Mammals:

    • Black bears
    • Mountain lions (also known as cougars or pumas)
    • Mule deer
    • Coyotes
    • Gray foxes
    • Bobcats
    • Bighorn sheep
    • Martens
    • Marmots
    • Chipmunks
    • Squirrels (including Douglas squirrels and golden-mantled ground squirrels)

  2. Birds:

    • Stellar’s jays
    • Mountain chickadees
    • White-headed woodpeckers
    • Red-tailed hawks
    • Golden eagles
    • Peregrine falcons
    • Clark’s nutcrackers
    • Western bluebirds
    • American dippers (also known as water ouzels)
    • Various species of owls (such as great horned owls and northern pygmy owls)

  3. Reptiles and Amphibians:

    • Western fence lizards
    • Northern Pacific rattlesnakes
    • California kingsnakes
    • Various species of frogs and toads (such as Pacific treefrogs and Yosemite toads)

  4. Fish:

    • Rainbow trout
    • Brown trout
    • Brook trout
    • Cutthroat trout
    • Golden trout (California state fish)

  5. Insects and Arachnids:

    • Butterflies (including various species like swallowtails and admirals)
    • Dragonflies and damselflies
    • Beetles
    • Spiders (including tarantulas)

Remember to always respect wildlife and their habitats while visiting the Carson-Iceberg Wilderness, and follow guidelines for responsible outdoor recreation to minimize your impact on the environment.

Trailhead Elevation Destination Miles
St Mary’s Pass 9,550' Clark Fork Meadow 2.5
Stanislaus Peak 3.0
Seven Pines Trail Jct. 5.0
Boulder Creek 7.0
Boulder Lake 8.8
Clark Fork TH 9.5
Seven Pines TH 12.0