Stanislaus National Forest Overview
Due north of Yosemite, the Stanislaus National Forest encompasses a triptych of High Sierra volcanic wilderness. The Mokelumne, Carson-Iceberg, and Emigrant wilderness areas reveal an interesting landscape of volcanic vents, cirques, plugs, and cinder cones reminiscent of the ancient inferno that once raged beneath the surface. Juxtaposed against this barren moonscape of jagged canyons and granite escarpments, wildflowers explode into a kaleidoscope of color as groves of sugar, Jeffrey, and lodgepole pine cling to rugged slopes, v-shaped valleys, and meandering meadows.
Explore Volcanic Wilderness
The Emigrant Wilderness is a vast and remote volcanic landscape that sits on the western slope of the Sierra Crest. The black basaltic rocks are speckled with white and gray granite, a curious geologic impressionism evoking the Pointillism of Seurat. The andesite mudflow in Blue Canyon is one of the best places to view volcanic rock in the Sierra—erosion has exposed this 2,000-foot-thick flow along Deadman Creek. A 1.7-mile day hike will take you along a series of switchbacks to Blue Canyon Lake—the 3.5-acre body of water is dammed by glacial moraine. The trailhead is located four miles west of Sonora Pass, just off Highway 108. The moderately difficult trail covers elevations ranging from 8,820 to 10,100 feet.
Cascade Down a Staircase of Rapids
An 18-mile stretch of Class IV and V whitewater leads through a series of harrowing staircase rapids, swelling chutes, and churning pools with names like Nemesis, Evangelist, Hell's Kitchen, Thread-the-Needle, and Pinball. Paddlers can access the river at the Cherry Creek Launch—a calm stretch of water upstream from the bubbling caldrons of hell. Or, river rats craving instant ecstasy—just add whitewater—can launch themselves directly into the drink at Lumsden Boat Launch.
Rappel Down Waterfalls
In recent years, the extreme sport of "canyoneering" has caught on in the Tuolumne. These clandestine daredevils explore remote sections of canyons through a combination of rappelling, jumping, bouldering, rock climbing, and body surfing in whitewater rapids. California canyoneers have also explored the Kings, American, and Yuba River canyons. Sometimes, canyoneers are the first humans to penetrate secluded sections of a river canyon. Europeans call the sport "canyoning."
Camp in the Tuolumne River Corridor
Let the river lull you to sleep in a tent along the wild and scenic Tuolumne. Or will the roaring rapids keep you up all night? The only way to find out is to try pitching a tent—let us know how it goes. There are three developed no-fee campgrounds along the river. The nine-site Lumsden Bridge Campground is located three miles upstream from the Lumsden Campground. The 11-site Lumdsen Campground is located on the river about 14 miles from Groveland. The eight-site Southfork Campground is located a mile upstream from the Lumsden Campground near the confluence of the south and main forks of the river. There are also about a dozen primitive campground sites along the 18-mile whitewater route. Elsewhere in the forest, you'll find over 40 developed campgrounds and the option to "pick your own spot."
More on camping in Stanislaus National Forest
Battle Giant German Brown Trout
Over 800 miles of rivers and streams await the eager angler, not to mention numerous mountain lakes, all rippling with rainbow, eastern brook, and german brown trout. Prefer salmon with your eggs? Stanislaus has got 'em, along with 17 other species of fish. We recommend you try Lilypad Lake, South Fork Stanislaus, and Donnell Reservoir for choice fishing set amidst a soothing landscape of serenity.
Bike the Stanislaus Slick Rock
The Slick Rock Ride is a difficult 22-mile journey traversing a terrain that is in constant metamorphosis. Start pedaling on a hiking trail that serves as a section of the Old Emigrant Road. Next, you'll hit a lengthy stretch of rough four-wheel-drive road, which will whiz you past Slick Rock and onto gravel. It's smooth cruising once you set tire on newly paved portions of forest roads. From there, cycle back up Highway 4 through Bear Valley. Expect elevations ranging from 6,400 feet along the Stanislaus River up to 7,800 feet on Osborn Hill. If the heat gets to you in this granite landscape dotted with red fir, dive into one of the many swimming holes you'll see along the way, particularly in the Slick Rock area.
