Availability
Wood Lake and Cow Meadow Lake are mapped at or near the camp-area marker. This is map evidence, not a real-time flow report.
Backpacking camp
Wood Lake camp area
Emigrant, Carson-Iceberg & Mokelumne Wilderness, California
About this place
Wood Lake is an official itinerary area, permit zone, or source-backed named overnight reference represented by a reachable point on the pinned agency trail network in Emigrant, Carson-Iceberg & Mokelumne Wilderness.
The marker is a route-access reference, not a tent pad. Move off the trail only where travel is permitted, remain inside the authorized zone, and choose a legal durable site under every current setback and closure.
Water planning
Water at this camp
Natural water at or near this camp areaDrinking safety
Natural water is not verified potable. Filter and disinfect it or boil it according to the linked land-manager guidance before drinking.
Seasonality
Wood Lake is a mapped waterbody; USGS does not classify it here as seasonal or year-round. Confirm current level, access, and quality. Cow Meadow Lake is a mapped waterbody; USGS does not classify it here as seasonal or year-round. Confirm current level, access, and quality.
- Wood LakeLake or pond · at the camp areaMapped waterbody — level and access can change · Treat before drinkingOfficial source
- Cow Meadow LakeLake or pond · 0.2 mi awayMapped waterbody — level and access can change · Treat before drinkingOfficial source
Fire planning
Campfire & stove rules
Existing fire ring only when restrictions allowCampfires
This camp is approximately 8,045 ft. A small campfire may be used in an existing legal ring only when current restrictions allow it.
Backpacking stoves
Regulated gas stove allowed with permit. A gas stove with a regulator is the preferred cooking device; wood-burning stoves follow the campfire prohibition.
Permit
Carry a valid California Campfire Permit for every stove or allowed fire.
Current restrictions
Check Stanislaus alerts immediately before departure; temporary restrictions supersede the standing elevation and named-area rules.
Seasonal access
Closures & seasonal access
Highway 108 and its trailhead spurs are typically closed by winter snow, with reopening controlled by conditionsPlace closure
No recurring date-based closure of Wood Lake is published. The source-connected approach conditions below and temporary emergency orders still control access.
Seasonal access
Source-connected approaches: Crabtree Trailhead, Gianelli Cabin Trailhead, Kennedy Meadows North Trailhead, and 5 more. Highway 108 and its trailhead spurs are typically closed by winter snow, with reopening controlled by conditions. Wilderness permit dates are an authorization rule, not a closure season.
Before driving
Check Caltrans, Stanislaus alerts, and the selected forest road before travel; do not use the permit season as proof that the road is open.
Mapped approaches
Choose a trailhead for Wood Lake camp area
Each option has a sourced trail route to this camp area. Choose one to open its itinerary builder with this destination in context.
- Crabtree Trailhead12.2 mi awayView trailheadBuild from here
- Bell Meadow Trailhead13.3 mi awayView trailheadBuild from here
- Box Springs Trailhead13.5 mi awayView trailheadBuild from here
- Gianelli Cabin Trailhead14.8 mi awayView trailheadBuild from here
- Coyote Meadow Trailhead15.3 mi awayView trailheadBuild from here
- Bourland Meadow Trailhead16.2 mi awayView trailheadBuild from here
- Kennedy Meadows North Trailhead16.8 mi awayView trailheadBuild from here
- Sonora Pass Trailhead29.4 mi awayView trailheadBuild from here
Map
Loading map
- Latitude
- 38.142202° N
- Longitude
- 119.729705° W