California · Hiking · Mokelumne Wilderness · Near Bear Valley

Underwood Valley

Underwood ValleyPhoto: ilya_ktsn, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)
15.4 mi
round trip
2,019 ft
climb
8,787 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Oct
best months

Is Underwood Valley open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Stanislaus National Forest. It doesn't name Underwood Valley, so check the source for the area it covers (2 listed).

As of · Source: USFS · Stanislaus National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Underwood Valley is a hard hike in California's Mokelumne Wilderness, within the Calaveras Ranger District of Stanislaus National Forest. The trail is an out-and-back of about 15.4 miles, with a one-way elevation gain of 2,019 feet, taking you from a low point of 7,798 feet to a high of 8,787 feet. The Forest Service manages the land, and the trailhead is Underwood Valley (Bee Gulch) Trailhead, which is open year-round. The route is natural-surface and allows horses, but not bikes. That makes it a viable option for riders on horseback, though the climb is steep enough to demand careful planning. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Dagget Pass, Nevada, show July highs around 75°F with lows near 49°F and only about two wet days. That station sits roughly 1,450 feet lower than the trail's high point, so temperatures on the ridge run cooler. Lake Valley is just 0.4 miles away, and Pack Trail is about a mile off. For an overnight base, (Lake Alpine) Silver Tip Campground and Silvertip are both within 2 miles.

Around this trail

Add any of these when you start a trip
  • Sleep close

    (lake Alpine) Silver Tip Campground

    Campground

    Campground · 1.8 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Lake Alpine Resort

    Restaurant

    On your way back · 2 mi

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors · Photos: Junkyardsparkle, CC0 (commons)

More in Bear Valley

Local outfitters

Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.

  • Best time to go · May–Oct

    Best time to visit Underwood Valley

    Best months: May–October. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      36° / 23°

      9 wet

    2. Feb

      37° / 23°

      8 wet

    3. Mar

      42° / 26°

      7 wet

    4. Apr

      48° / 29°

      5 wet

    5. May

      56° / 35°

      4 wet

    6. Jun

      66° / 42°

      2 wet

    7. Jul

      75° / 49°

      2 wet

    8. Aug

      74° / 49°

      1 wet

    9. Sep

      67° / 44°

      2 wet

    10. Oct

      55° / 36°

      3 wet

    11. Nov

      43° / 28°

      5 wet

    12. Dec

      35° / 23°

      7 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Dagget Pass, NV, 33.1 mi away at 7,334 ft. The station sits about 1,500 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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