California · Hiking · Mokelumne Wilderness · Near Bear Valley

Woodchuck

2.3 mi
round trip
624 ft
climb
8,426 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Oct
best months

Is Woodchuck open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Stanislaus National Forest. It doesn't name Woodchuck, 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.

Woodchuck is an easy out-and-back hike in the Mokelumne Wilderness, on the Calaveras Ranger District of Stanislaus National Forest in California. The trail is managed by the Forest Service, and the route runs about 2.3 miles round trip with a one-way gain of 624 feet. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Dagget Pass show July highs around 75°F with lows near 49°F and only about two wet days in the month. That station sits roughly 1,100 feet lower than the trail's high point, so temperatures on the summit run cooler. The trail is on natural surface, and horses are allowed. Bikes are not. Pack Trail lies about 0.6 miles away, and Lake Alpine Recreation Area and Silver Valley Campground are each about 1.7 miles off. The North Fork Mokelumne River, a canoeing route, is about 1.9 miles away.

Around this trail

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

    Backpackers Campground

    Campground

    Campground · 1.6 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Lake Alpine Resort

    Restaurant

    On your way back · 2 mi
  • If it rains

    Alpine County Museum

    Museum

    Museum · 17 mi from Bear Valley

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

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 Woodchuck

    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 mi away at 7,334 ft. The station sits about 1,100 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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