Pioneer scout, Kit Carson, passed though the future site of West Point. He was looking for passes over the Sierra Nevada, and folklore gives him credit for staying long enough to name the town. The town became a thriving trading post prior to gold discovery and the Gold Rush.
You can still re- supply at the modern trading post or one of the markets, but gas up before you arrive. You’ll find no gas station here.
West Point sits at 2790 feet elevation on the ridge above both the North and Middle Forks of the Mokelumne River...
Author Brett Harte lived and slept here. Given its history, he probably gathered some of the material for his tales while he lived here.
Even well before the Gold Rush, locals became used to people passing through on their way up or down the Sierra. You can still re-supply at the modern trading post or one of the markets, but gas up before you arrive. You’ll find no gas station here. You can also find a good, family-sized meal, but if you want to stay overnight in West Point too, bring your own sleeping bag. There are no public accommodations in this sleepy little village.
West Point sits at 2790 feet elevation on the ridge above both the North and Middle Forks of the Mokelumne River, but well below the public lands of the Stanislaus and Eldorado National Forests. Around West Point the forests are lush as you fully graduate from the foothills into the mountainous slopes of the Sierra Nevada. The nights are noticeably cooler than valley temperatures.
You are in easy reach of the North Fork of the Mokelumne River, but this is the backdoor approach – which may be what you want. Fishing in the Mokelumne Rivers is good and you can reach the campgrounds and Salt Springs Reservoir via paved roads on the other (north) side of the River. The Angelfoot Trailhead into the Mokelumne Wilderness lies upslope of Salt Springs and gives access to the lower end of the Wilderness. Lower Bear River Reservoir is still higher on the ridge and closer to Highway 88, which is the front door approach.
| Population: | 746 | Links: | Chamber of Commerce: www.co.calaveras.ca.us Visitor Center: www.gocalaveras.com |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Services:
Food
|
|||
From the south and west, turn north onto Highway 26 off of Highway 49 in Mokelumne Hill. Follow Highway 26 steadily uphill for 17 miles to the east. From the north and west follow Highway 88 north of Jackson for four miles beyond Pine Grove. Turn right onto Highway 26 and follow it south for 9 miles.