Backpacking Mokelumne Wilderness Loop (3D/2N)
Trip Details:
- Total distance: 20.1 miles (+2.4 side trip)
- Total elevation gain: feet
- Route Type: Loop on maintained trails
- Wilderness Area: Mokelumne Wilderness, El Dorado National Forest
- Season: Mid to late (early July in a low-snow year, early September is a big snow year)
- Permits: Carson Pass Management area has strict quotas and numbered sites at all backcountry lakes (Winnemucca, Round Top, Fourth of July). You will need to call the Amador Ranger station for permitting info and to reserve a specific numbered site.
Itinerary:
Day 1: Carson Pass TH to Fourth of July Lake (and side excursion to Round Top) 5.5 miles (+2.4 miles)
Day 2: Fourth of July Lake to Lost Lakes (8 miles)
Day 3: Lost Lakes to Carson Pass TH (6.6 miles)
I have backpacked this loop twice now, once in early September in a big snow year and once in early July on a low snow year. In the vicinity of Kirkwood Ski Resort, Mokelumne Wilderness receives a ton of snow and is one of the later sections of the Sierra to melt, which means you can try to stagger it into your wilderness rotation when mosquitoes are peaking in other areas of the Sierra.
Mokelumne is full of dark rock, which is particularly stunning when splattered with patches of white snow, and encircling turquoise alpine lakes. Add to that the over-the-top wildflower displays — backpacking heaven.
On the night of our arrival, we disperse-car-camped in Martin Meadows off Highway 88. After a late start, we filled up water at the Kirkwood Resort post office (water fountain bottle filter inside) and headed to Carson Pass. This is a popular trailhead for day hikes, so the parking lot was full. There are 2 more lots west of the TH.
