Desolation Wilderness · US Forest Service
Is the Ursack Major legal in Desolation Wilderness?
Not legal
No. The Ursack Major is a soft-sided bag, and Desolation Wilderness requires a hard-sided or rigid container.
Canister required for all food in Desolation Wilderness overnight. Area text names no approved list. Soft-sided bag is not a rigid canister (order/regulation requires a canister or non-pliable container).
Heads-up before you rely on this
- Source page shows no date. The official page does not show a "last updated" date we could capture. We record the day we read it instead.
Rules change. Confirm with the land manager (links below) before you go.
What this means
The written rule asks for a bear-resistant container (or similar wording) but names no approved list. Hard canisters on a recognised list are the safest reading; the agency has the final say.
About this model. Soft-sided; IGBC-certified but not allowed where a hard-sided canister is required (e.g.
The rule in Desolation Wilderness
- Requirement
- Canister required for all food in Desolation Wilderness overnight.
- Accepted
- No list named
- Order
- 03-25-05 / 19-25-06
- Dates
- Eldorado order 03-25-05 / LTBMU 19-25-06, 2025-07-18 to 2028-07-17
- Source updated
- alert page (date not captured)
- Checked
- 2026-10-26 · verified
About the Ursack Major
- Volume
- 10.65 L
- Weight
- 7.6 oz
- Material
- UHMWPE/Spectra fabric
- IGBC certified
- Yes (cert. 3738)
- On Yosemite / SEKI list
- No
- On Olympic list
- No
- Spec source
- search summary of ursack.com pages
Specs come from the sources named in "Spec source" and many are incomplete. See every area where the Ursack Major is accepted or not →
What else works in Desolation Wilderness
| Canister | Verdict | Weight | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|
| BearVault BV450 Jaunt | Legal | 2 lb 1 oz | 7.2 L |
| BearVault BV500 Journey | Legal | 2 lb 9 oz (1.16 kg) | 11.5 L |
| UDAP No-Fed-Bear | Legal | 2.4 lb | 8.2 (derived from cu in) L |
| BearVault BV ONE Adjustable | Likely legal | 1 lb 15 oz (895 g) | 8.3 expanded / 4.65 collapsed L |
| BearVault BV425 Sprint | Likely legal | 1 lb 12 oz | 5 L |
| BearVault BV475 Trek | Likely legal | 2 lb 4 oz | 9.3 L |
The Ursack Major under nearby rules
- Carson-Iceberg Wilderness Bear canisters currently not required (same Stanislaus page). No canister rule
- Sierra NF wildernesses Canister OR counterbalance hang. Verify first
- Trinity Alps - other areas Elsewhere any bear-proof system designed to prevent access by bears must be used (canister not specifically re… Verify first
- Emigrant Wilderness Bear canisters are currently not required (Stanislaus NF page). Canisters ARE required in adjoining Yosemite w… No canister rule
- Pisgah NF - Shining Rock All overnight campers must use commercially made, solid, non-pliable bear-resistant canisters for food, refuse… Not legal
- Sequoia & Kings Canyon NPs - Rae Lakes Loop Canister required in the Rae Lakes Loop. Not legal
Quick answers
Is the Ursack Major legal in Desolation Wilderness?
No. The Ursack Major is a soft-sided bag, and Desolation Wilderness requires a hard-sided or rigid container. Canister required for all food in Desolation Wilderness overnight. Area text names no approved list. Soft-sided bag is not a rigid canister (order/regulation requires a canister or non-pliable container).
What does Desolation Wilderness require for food storage?
Canister required for all food in Desolation Wilderness overnight. Accepted standard: No list named.
How current is this answer?
We checked Desolation Wilderness's official source on 2026-10-26. Source page shows no date. Rules change, so confirm with the land manager before you go.
Sources and date checked
Checked . We link the official pages so you can read the rule yourself.