Backpacking Topo Maps Hiking Carson-Iceberg Wilderness Highway 4 to 108, Stanislaus and Toiyabe National Forests

Lake Alpine to Saint Marys Pass: Tahoe to Yosemite Trail Ebbetts Pass to Sonora Pass: Pacific Crest Trail Backpacking On The Tahoe to Yosemite and Pacific Crest Trails

Hiking the Pacific Crest and the Tahoe to Yosemite Trails through The Carson-Iceberg Wilderness Introduction Though I am presenting the Carson-Iceberg Wilderness from the perspective of a long-distance hiker on the main long-distance trails, you will find many fine short, medium, and long distance backpacking trips to suit your stlye in the Carson-Iceberg. In Oct of 2011 I put together a quick 51 mile backpacking loop using elements of both the Tahoe to Yosemite and Pacific Crest Trails around the Carson-Iceberg Wilderness that you may find informative about the wide range of shorter trips you can put together. Another fine way to see the Carson-Iceberg is to head in from the steep Eastern escarpment of the Wilderness, such as through Little Antelope Pack Station up on Rodriquez Flat from Highway 395. From there you can link up with the PCT through Murray Canyon via the East Carson River, or meet the PCT further South by following the E Carson to its headwaters. Administration of the Carson-Iceberg Wilderness is split between the Carson and Summit Ranger Districts of the Stanislaus and the Carson Ranger District of the Toiyabe National Forest. The Stanislaus National Forest manages the Western half, while the Toiyabe covers the Eastern Section of the Carson-Iceberg Wilderness.



Topo Maps for The Tahoe to Yosemite Trail Lake Alpine to Saint Marys Pass
7.5 min backpacking maps		30 minute backpacking map
1> Lake Alpine area 2> Duck Lake to Spicer Reservoir Jenkins Canyon: Highland Creek to PCT or Jenkins Canyon on TYT? Jenkins Canyon Junction: TYT or PCT? Up Highland Creek to PCT: Highland Lakes to Wolf Creek Pass PCT at Wolf Creek Pass South on the TYT from Jenkins Cayon: 3> Spicer Reservoir to Sand Flat 4> Clarks Fork of the Stanislaus R 5> Saint Marys Pass on Hwy 108		1> Carson-Iceberg Wilderness region, Lake Alpine to Saint Marys Pass 2> Carson Iceberg Wilderness including Ebbetts Pass to Wolf Creek Pass

Miles and Elevations: Carson Gap to Lake Alpine or Lake Alpine and Saint Marys Pass

My Maps When hiking in the Carson-Iceberg I use an old 1987 USDA Forest Service paper Map of the Carson-Iceberg Wilderness. This map covers both the Tahoe to Yosemite and Pacific Crest Trail through the Carson-Iceberg Wilderness. I recently used Ari's new plastic colored 2009 version of this same map. I much prefer the old map for detail and accuracy, while I prefer the plastic material of the new map. When planning my trip I refer to the USGS 7.5 map series used on this site for high detail reviews of the terrain. These maps are free to download at the USGS Map Locator. These maps are viewable on Adobe Reader.

Trail Route Option: Spicer Meadow Reservoir (off of the TYT) to Wolf Creek Pass (and onto the PCT) For Southbound hikers, this route option swings you up to the PCT via Highland Creek from the Tahoe to Yosemite Trail junction at Jenkins Canyon. This route splits the Carson-Iceberg Wilderness section of your hike between the Pacific Crest and Tahoe to Yosemite Trails. This route subsitutes the Clarks Fork of the Stanislaus River to Saint Marys Pass section of the TY trail with a hike through the East Carson River to Sonora Pass on the PCT. For Northbound hikers, this option will swing you down to, and through Lake Alpine, then through the remote and unmaintained section of the Tahoe to Yosemite trail through Summit City Creek to the Carson Gap. Your other Northbound options are to remain on the PCT through Ebbetts Pass on your way North to the Carson Pass, or hike the Highland Trail down to Lake Alpine to resupply and eat, and then hitch the 14 miles East up to Ebbetts Pass to continue South on the PCT. These are your main options. What you do with them is up to you. I suggest that you explore them all. 1> Spicer Reservoir up Highland Creek 2> Highland Creek via Highland Lakes to Wolf Creek Pass

Miles and Elevations: Carson Gap to Lake Alpine or Lake Alpine and Saint Marys Pass

The next maps South on the Tahoe to Yosemite Trail Kennedy Meadows Pack Station to Grizly Peak Lake (Not Yet Finished...,) 7.5 min
This map tracks the Tahoe to Yosemite trail South into ...
The Big View Carson Pass to Bensen Lake 1x2 Topographic




Topo Maps for The Pacific Crest Trail Ebbetts Pass to Sonora Pass
7.5 min backpacking maps		30 minute backpacking maps
1> Ebbetts Pass to Tyron Peak 2> Tyron Peak to Wolf Creek 3> Wolf Creek to Swampy Lake 4> Swampy Lake to Boulder Lake 5> Boulder Lake to Sonora Pass		1> Ebbetts Pass to Sonora Pass 2> Carson-Iceberg Wilderness region (With the Tahoe Yosemite and PCT routes)

Miles and Elevations: The Carson Pass to Ebbetts Pass or Ebbetts Pass to Sonora Pass on the PCT

My Maps When hiking in the Carson-Iceberg I use an old 1987 USDA Forest Service paper Map of the Carson-Iceberg Wilderness. This map covers both the Tahoe to Yosemite and Pacific Crest Trail through the Carson-Iceberg Wilderness. I recently used Ari's new plastic colored 2009 version of this same map. I much prefer the old map for detail and accuracy, while I prefer the plastic material of the new map. When planning my trip I refer to the USGS 7.5 map series used on this site for high detail reviews of the terrain. These maps are free to download at the USGS Map Locator. These maps are viewable on Adobe Reader.

The next maps South on the Pacific Crest Trail Sonora Pass to Bensen Lake, 30 minute USGS Topographic

The Big View Carson Pass to Bensen Lake 1x2 Topographic