Availability
Unnamed mapped stream or river is mapped within 0.5 mile of the camp-area marker. This is map evidence, not a real-time flow report.
Backpacking camp
Upper Underwood Valley Backcountry Area camp area
Mokelumne Wilderness / Carson Pass, California
About this place
This marker is on the source-mapped interior end of Underwood Valley Trail 18E02 and represents permit-authorized dispersed-camping terrain rather than a designated tent pad.
Camp only on durable legal ground under Mokelumne wilderness setbacks, carry the Underwood Valley permit entry, protect seasonal water, and follow current stove and fire orders.
Water planning
Water at this camp
Seasonal natural water nearbyDrinking safety
Natural water is not verified potable. Filter and disinfect it or boil it according to the linked land-manager guidance before drinking.
Seasonality
Unnamed mapped stream or river is classified as intermittent and may be dry.
- Unnamed mapped stream or riverRiver or stream · 0.3 mi awaySeasonal/intermittent — may be dry · Treat before drinkingOfficial source
Fire planning
Campfire & stove rules
Permit + current order requiredCampfires
Upper Underwood Valley Backcountry Area is an undeveloped backcountry camp area in Mokelumne Wilderness / Carson Pass. A California Campfire Permit is required for a portable stove or any otherwise-legal fire in Mokelumne Wilderness / Carson Pass. Use a gas, jellied-petroleum, or pressurized-liquid-fuel stove with a working shutoff valve; wood, charcoal, twig stoves, and campfires are allowed only where the current forest order and destination-specific elevation or named-area rules expressly allow them. Never treat an old ring as proof that a fire is legal, and do not build a new ring where fires are prohibited.
Backpacking stoves
Shutoff-valve gas or pressurized-fuel stove with permit. Use a gas, LPG, jellied-petroleum, or pressurized-liquid-fuel stove with a working shutoff valve. Twig and wood-burning stoves follow the campfire rule and are prohibited anywhere wood fires are prohibited.
Permit
Carry a valid California Campfire Permit for a portable stove or any otherwise-legal fire; the permit never overrides a forest closure, fire-danger order, elevation limit, or named-area prohibition.
Current restrictions
Check USDA Forest Service's current alerts and the selected trailhead posting before departure. The standing rule shown here remains subordinate to a newer emergency order.
Seasonal access
Closures & seasonal access
Carson Pass and Mokelumne Wilderness remain winter backcountry when snow closes or restricts Highway 88 spurs and high trailheadsPlace closure
No recurring date-based closure of Upper Underwood Valley Backcountry Area is published. The source-connected approach conditions below and temporary emergency orders still control access.
Seasonal access
Source-connected approaches: Underwood Valley Trailhead, Sandy Meadow Trailhead. Carson Pass and Mokelumne Wilderness remain winter backcountry when snow closes or restricts Highway 88 spurs and high trailheads. Opening dates vary with snow, storms, and road work.
Before driving
Check Eldorado National Forest alerts, Caltrans controls, and the selected trailhead road and parking rules before departure.
Mapped approaches
Choose a trailhead for Upper Underwood Valley Backcountry Area 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.
- Sandy Meadow Trailhead5.4 mi awayView trailheadBuild from here
- Underwood Valley Trailhead7.3 mi awayView trailheadBuild from here
Map
Loading map
- Latitude
- 38.508541° N
- Longitude
- 119.990672° W