North Fork of the Mokelumne River Area:
The rugged North Fork Mokelumne forms the southern boundary of the Eldorado National Forest. The river stretches upriver from the Pardee Reservoir in the foothills below Highway 49, past Salt Springs Reservoir, and into the popular high-country known as the Blue Lakes area.
More than half of this watershed lies within the Mokelumne Wilderness. Highway 88 climbs along the northern boundary of the drainage until it swings around Silver and Caples Lakes and crosses the Sierra Crest at Carson Pass. Geographically, due to this access, these last areas are lumped with the North Fork Mokelumne Area.
Below Lower Bear River Reservoir that sits mid-slope along the Bear River and above Salt Springs Reservoir, the relatively gentle country is well developed by logging areas and roads. Above Lower Bear, the area is broken by dominant, granite and rock outcrops and becomes a favorite recreation area.
Below Salt Springs Reservoir which forms the southwestern corner of the Mokelumne Wilderness, the river cuts through an often deeply incised valley that forms several great whitewater runs. They are done mostly by independent rafters and kayakers and require experienced boaters.
Salt Springs abutting the Wilderness offers a boat launch but is most popular for anglers more than boating enthusiasts. The gorge in this area has several rock faces similar to Yosemite’s smaller canyons. Lower Bear River Reservoir is boating country and popular fishing spot. Silver Lake and Caples Lakes are reservoirs that offer great fishing, lodges and camping. Woods Lake just below Carson Pass sits on the edge of the visually striking corner of the Wilderness known as the California Alps. Each lake has their own popular camping areas. Blue Lakes rest in a high basin tucked in between the main body and the eastern arm of the Mokelumne Wilderness. The road has been recently improved and the area is a popular camping and fishing location. The reservoirs are greatly drawn down by late summer.
Hiking in the Carson Pass area is one of the great treats in our backyard. The California Alps dominated by Round Top Mountain, The Sisters, and Forth of July Peak offers one of the greatest wildflower displays anywhere in the U.S. Fall colors are enriched by the numerous aspen spotted in groves often near the lakes. Devils Lake above Lower Bear Reservoir is a pleasant hike to a pristine lake, but its isolation keeps visitations down. The trail up to the head of the lake along the northern rim of Salt Springs Reservoir can be awesome. The fall experience is especially nice except that the lake is drastically drawn down by then.
The rugged and challenging Pardoes OHV trail creeps along much of the northern boundary of the Mokelumne River. The unique Clover Valley OHV route drops from the Blue Lakes area and actually crosses the Wilderness until it reaches Hermit Valley along the North Fork Mokelumne and Highway 4. The Mud Lake, Plasses Post, and Horse Canyon 4WD roads above Silver Lake offer comparatively easy drives. Martin Meadows Campground is being redeveloped with OHV users in mind.
Highway 88 is a national, Forest Service Scenic Byway as it crosses from one side to the other of the Sierra Nevada. The drive from Hope Valley up to the Blue Lakes area is pleasant but deadheads for 2WD users in the lakes’ basin.
Directions: Highway 88 from Jackson to Carson Pass provides easy access to the northern boundary of the Area. The paved road into Salt Springs Reservoir is often narrow and always windy but provides slow, but goo, access into the canyon.
