First established as a Primitive area in 1931, then a Wild area in 1957, Hoover Wilderness was one of the original members of the NWPS. Here is an extremely rugged and magnificently scenic area with elevations from around 8,000 feet to more than 12,000 feet, a region of alpine lakes and lovely meadows but little timber. The scarcity of firewood has resulted in a ban on wood fires in the very popular 20 Lakes Basin. Rainbow, brook, and golden trout inhabit the lakes. If you travel with stock, you should pack in all your feed. You may see cattle and sheep grazing, as some permits were issued to ranchers prior to designation. The presence of black bears should encourage you to hang your food at night. Rain, snow, strong winds, and bitter cold can occur in all seasons. Hoover Wilderness shares its western border with Yosemite National Park and permits are required to hike into the park.
The area, with its well-maintained trail system, receives heavy human use. You'll encounter the least human traffic in the northern portion, but, all things considered, this Wilderness would fare better with less visitation.