Sandy Meadow Trailhead

Facility · California ·

Managed by the USDA Forest Service

Stanislaus National Forest (NF) · Open Access

7,920 ft
Elevation

This trail can be used to access Wheeler Lake; it is flatter and easier than the Wheeler Ridge/Lake Trail out of Woodchuck Basin but longer. It is 4.2 miles to Wheeler Lake. In Mokelumne Wilderness. 

Elevation is 7923 feet
Lat/Long: 38.5150, -119.9292

Getting there

From the Calaveras Ranger Station in Hathaway Pines, California, head east on Highway 4 for about 39 miles. The trailhead sign on the right-hand side of the road is where the parking area is located. The trailhead is on the opposite side of the road.

Accessible to all highway-legal vehicle types, native surface small parking area; must cross highway to get to the trail.

38.51500, -119.92920 · 38°30'54.0"N 119°55'45.1"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F————————————
Low °F————————————
Precip in7.66.96.34.12.20.80.50.30.72.24.17.1

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 6.6 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

Member photos

Common questions about Sandy Meadow Trailhead

Can you reserve a site at Sandy Meadow Trailhead?
No. Sandy Meadow Trailhead is not reservable through Recreation.gov, so sites are first-come, first-served or booked elsewhere.

Camping near Sandy Meadow Trailhead

Comments

Contact

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.

Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.