Main Features: Murray and Golden Canyons offer excellent entry points down to bracket Carson Falls on the East Carson River. Carson Falls is an exceptional feature. See the videos and forum for more information about Carson Falls.

South from Wolf Creek

Coming South past Wolf Creek we encounter a large open meadow space where we get long views Northeast at Wolf Creek flowing along the Eastern side of Highland and Silver Peaks. To the Southeast we can see the gelogical structure that I call "the Northern sharkfin," which marks the beginning of Murray and Golden Canyons.

Once we enter Murray Canyon we are in the watershed of the East Fork of the Carson River.

Crossing the lip of the ridge dividing Murray and Golden Canyons gives us broad views South of Stanislaus Peak backed up in the far South by Sonora Peak. To the East of Sonora Peak we can see the gap where the Pacific Crest Trail exits the headwaters of the East Carson River.

To the Southeast we can see the sheer granites of Eastern side of the valley holding the upper reaches of the East Fork of the Carson River.

Crossing Golden Canon we come to a cross roads in the trail.

To the West, Paradise Valley leads up and over the crestline to Disaster Creek. Heading North, upstream along Disaster Creek Trail brings you upstream to a trail junction between Highland Lakes and Wolf Creek Pass. Heading downstream is the Disaster Creek Trailhead on the old paved road along the Clarks Fork of the Stanislaus.

To the East Golden Canyon brings you down to the East Fork of the Carson River just upstream from Carson Falls. Carson Falls is an amazing geological feature.

To the South we have just a couple of more miles before we switchback down to the East Carson River and begin our long ascent up to the East Carson Gap.

This map depicts the Pacific Crest Trail from Wolf Creek across Murray and Golden Canyons.

Maps Miles Elevations Information

Miles and Elevations

Wolf Creek                               9199                   8.63

Murray Canyon                         9360                 10.87

Golden Canyon                          9200                 12.73

Marsh Lake                                9200                  14.65

Ebbetts to Sonora Pass Topo maps Index

Ebbetts Pass trail head

Map Name: Dardanelles Cone Calif., 1979, 7.5 minute Topographic

Compass Offset: Magnetic North is 18.25 degrees East of True North

scale: 1 : 24 000

Contours: 80 Feet

National Forest: Stanislaus National Forest

Backpacking permitting authority: Calavaras Ranger District

Wilderness Area: Carson-Iceberg Wilderness

Physical location: Between Highways 4 and 108

Ebbetts Pass : 8732 feet

Tyron Peak : 9320 feet

elevation rise: 588 feet

Trail Guide, Section: Ebbetts Pass to Sonora Pass

Trail Guide, Segment: Ebbetts Pass Trail head

Google Map: Highway 4

U.S. Geological Survey, Department of the Interior

The USGS

Download Free USGS Maps:

USGS MAP LOCATOR

Move the Map to the Sierras. Select size of Maps you wish to locate. Click "Mark Point" on map to see the USGS map grid of the selected map scale.

Select your quadrangle, then click the marker. Select your map size, and click "download."

USGS Topographic Map Information