I hope you’re also able to get out and enjoy the Rockies in your back yard. Day one stats: 10.6 miles. GROUP SIZE Desolation Wilderness is in north-central California along the eastern border, 3-1/2 hours northeast of San Francisco, 2 hours east of Sacramento, and 1 hour southwest of Reno, Nevada. Saved from healthnuthayley.com. West Linn 380 contributions 93 helpful votes +1. The lingering snow on the surrounding mountains made for some stunning scenery. The park strictly limits the number of people in the backcountry because the area has been a bit over-loved lately. You will climb for about 2-3 miles. Both of us were tired after a long day of driving and hiking, so we called it a night early and went to bed around 9. After a hot day of hiking, there is no better way to relax than with a swim in beautiful Lake Aloha where you can spend hours swimming from island to island. We didn’t have a very long day ahead of us, so we took things slow and enjoyed being out in nature after being cooped up for weeks. The trail is only recommended for very experienced outdoorsmen. We took a long lunch break at Tamarack Lake. Desolation Wilderness Permits and Quotas. This means packing out all your trash … Lake Aloha Trail. #4 - Lake of the Woods via Pacific Crest Trail, #5 - PCT: CA Section K - Echo Lake to Highway 80. The shore of Lake Aloha was still mostly covered in snow. The gray granite gave way to dark black and red-tinted rock. Harbors brook and brown trout and provides million-dollar sensations of owning your very own lake. Some of the lakes also contain rainbows or brown trout, and even a few golden trout, our California state fish. We packed up and headed out. It's bounded by logging roads and operations to the north and west, Lake Tahoe to the east, and US 50 to the south. .. That said, I know people are wondering about it, so let me take this opportunity to share that when backpacking in Desolation there are no facilities and leaving no trace is … Hiking in Desolation Wilderness. We arrived at Susie Lake as the sun was about to dip behind the mountains. But soon enough, the trail turned into a serious bushwhack through willow and alder thickets. We arrived at the trailhead a bit before 11 and got our gear … #6 - Lake Aloha via Glen Alpine Trailhead. This 4-day backpacking adventure through Desolation Wilderness was the second half of the mountaineering course. Lake Aloha is striking in the spring. Warmer than most summer nights in the mountains. We had a permit for June 4. If you want to do the full loop, you have to go on the road for a decent amount of time to walk back to the parking lot. We tried to secure our shelters the best we could, hoping they’d hold up during the night. The wind was gusty and kept changing direction. This is Heather Lake in the Desolation Wilderness located outside of Lake Tahoe, CA. It was significantly steeper and even required us to use our hands to climb at times. We took a long weekend, hiked to Middle Velma Lake, and were blown away by the alpine lake dotted with fir … We stopped for lunch halfway through the climb. After taking a couple pictures at the dam by the outlet of Echo Lake, we headed out. During the winter months, most of the trailheads are covered by snow and are not accessible. Eagle Lake trail is one of our favorites. ... to backpacking in the wild places on earth - where people are few, cell signal is nil, and Mother Nature still reigns. As with most backpacking destinations, you’ll need to secure a wilderness permit for any overnight stays in Desolation Wilderness. For day hikes, fill out a day permit at the trailhead (Echo Lakes Trailhead), so that people know where you are in case anything goes wrong. Trailhead approximate address: Fallen Leaf Lake, Glen Alpine Rd, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150, #9 - Fallen Leaf Lake, Lake Aloha, Mount Tallac Loop. You will need to walk the extra distance to the trailhead. The night was surprisingly warm. Desolation Wilderness is absolutely stunning and I almost don’t even wanna write this post about it because it’s so precious and pristine. The trail is fairly flat for most of the hike, with only two sections of significant elevation gain, and you will pass by 5 lakes in under 12 miles round trip. The weather report called for high winds and snow down to 7000ft later that day, so we were happy to head out. A few seconds later, the gust hit the tent like a semi-truck. Trails in Desolation Wilderness - 30 Hiking Project is built by hikers like you. Rested and full of calories, we climbed over the pass. Its a strenuous but beautiful journey. Highlights include alpine lakes, granite peaks, and expansive views of Desolation Wilderness. 2,160 ft elevation gain. We found two somewhat sheltered spots for our shelters and set them up before starting to make dinner. Read more. 6 h 14 m. The hike to Lake Aloha is the ultimate day hike in Desolation Wilderness. https://www.alltrails.com/parks/us/california/desolation-wilderness Note: you need to get a wilderness permit from recreation.gov for this trip. Unlike all the other trails we’d been on, the Tamarack Trail wasn’t graded for equestrian use. Unfortunately for us, they opened for backpacking on the 5th, which meant we needed to find an alternate trip. If you want to avoid that, you can do this as an out and back starting from the Eagle lake trail head. 1,560 ft elevation gain. Note: As of 10/3/2020, users have reported that Wrights Lake Rd is gated off just past the equestrian camp, so parking is limited. Backpacking: Desolation Wilderness ... Backpacking: Desolation Wilderness. hard (768) Length: 13 mi • Est. Day two stats: 9.1 miles. We arrived at the trailhead a bit before 11 and got our gear in order. Day 1: PCT / TRT to Tamarack Lake – Lake Aloha – Heather Lake, Susie Lake. Day 2: Glen Alpine trail to Glen Alpine Trailhead, Tamarack Trail to Tamarack Lake.Day 3: PCT / TRT back to Echo Lakes Trailhead. This wood caught fire and burned uncontrollably for years, casting black smoke clouds over the entire White Mountain region and polluting the watersheds. Backpacking the Desolation Loop in the Pemigewasset Wilderness. This 12 mile loop starts at the Fallen Leaf Lake Tamarack Trail Head and intersects with the Pacific Crest Trail. The ground around the lake is very rocky, and there aren’t that many suitable campsites for tents. Trip Overview: ~12 mile relaxing backpacking trip in Desolation Wilderness. This is one of my favorite moments from a trip with my dad and my pup. We cooked dinner by the lakeshore, watching the light fade. Even on a Thursday morning, we met a constant stream of other hikers out enjoying the early summer weather. My friend’s tarp caught a gust, and two of his stakes flew out in the dark forest. Thanks Andrew! Susie and heather lakes (Lake Tahoe) is a 10.6 mile out and back trail located near Lake tahoe, California. #10 - Maggie's Peak, Eagle Lake, Granite Lake Loop. We passed Glen Alpine Springs, an old resort built around a bubbling spring in the ground. It has extensive areas of bare granite rock formations.. Because of its beauty and accessibility, Desolation Wilderness is one of the most heavily used wilderness areas in the United States. Fortunately, we were the only ones at the lake, so we had no trouble finding a couple of flat spots to set up our camp. The hike over Rockbound Pass is far less crowded than many of the trails on the eastern side of the wilderness. Date of experience: June 2018. We navigated down the patchy snow and small meltwater streams without issue. After our short break, we continued on toward our campsite for the night. The rocky shore always reminds me of the Finnish outer archipelago with its low vegetation and stunted pines. The trail was under several feet of snow, which made navigation a bit tricky at times. Backpack to this secluded destination that's hidden from most of the traffic in Desolation Wilderness. Desolation Wilderness 30 minute Backpacking Map: Meeks Bay to Echo Summit Backpacking Miles and Elevations. Popular wilderness ages well under the eye of devoted stewards . The trail starts climbing in earnest after the upper Echo Lake. Not exactly the wilderness experience we had the previous night, but it would do. Explore the most popular backpacking trails in Desolation Wilderness with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you. If you decide to go, please practice Leave No Trace. Start at Echo Lakes Trailhead. Make sure to call ahead to the Placerville Ranger Station in Camino, CA to reserve a wilderness permit ($6 reservation fee plus $5/person for the 1st night, $10 more than 1 night). The area is divided into 45 zones and permits are required year-round, with quotas in effect from the Friday before Memorial Day to September 30. Initially, we were in a thick forest, but soon enough, the views started opening up. Desolation has so many good overnight backpacking options with several options from each trailhead and even multiple trailhead options for the same camping destination. Once we were out of the thick forest, navigation became easier. The geography changed as we started descending toward Heather Lake. Length : 10 Miles. A practical application of the lessons learned in the first class, so to speak. For backpacking, Fontanillis and Dicks Lake are both in the same Desolation Wilderness zone - #23. Loosey wondering if she should wait for Liz to remove her pack or to just jump in yet another beautiful Desolation Wilderness lake. Starting at the Bayview Campground off of HWY 89, the hike to Dick’s Lake begins at a consistent incline. Good trip, glad you were able to get out. Echo Lakes to Susie lake via Lake Aloha. My first solo backpacking trip in Desolation Wilderness of Eldorado National Forest near Lake Tahoe, California. We had a quick breakfast before we started hiking back to the car. If you are a lover of nature and backpacking, then Desolation Wildernessin California is a destination worth looking at. Both of us were super happy with the trip. For whatever reason, I never sleep well the first night I’m up at altitude. It can be difficult to find solitude, especially if you’re hiking to Lake Aloha or up Pyramid Peak on a summer weekend. Using some rocks and sleeping pads to block the wind, we were able to get some water boiled for a nice, warm dinner. The east side of the Pemigewasset Wilderness is called “Desolation” because loggers clear-cut the forest between 1890 and 1940, leaving behind huge quantities of slash. Getting There. Here’s our camp at last light, with the night’s first stars beginning to twinkle, and the rush of snowmelt singing us to sleep. In order to protect its unique beauty and wilderness character, human access is limited and certain activities are restricted in the Desolation. Desolation Wilderness is one of the largest wilderness areas near Lake Tahoe at almost 64,000 acres. The fires and smoke are vividly described in early versions of the AMC White Mountain Guide and other regional … The trail followed a stream that grew more significant as we descended. The sun even came out as we approached the car. It is an extremely popular hiking destination in California and boasts a number of attractive trails, including the Middle Velma Lake … If you're looking for a real adventure, you can try turning this loop into a day hike. It felt odd being back in civilization in the middle of a hike. The trail is fairly flat for most of the hike, with only two sections of significant elevation gain, and you will pass by 5 lakes in under 12 miles round trip. Pemigewasset Wilderness Sign. The morning was cold and windy. We had the wind at our back the whole way back to the trailhead. Aug 31, 2016 - I would definitely recommend this backpacking trip for anyone who is an experienced hiker and is in shape. With alpine lakes accessible within several miles of hiking, it's no wonder that folks flock to this destination from all over the country. The walk up to the peak is the most challenging, but the view is so gorgeous! There were already more than 10 tents spread around the wooded area on the east side of the lake. The Desolation Wilderness requires all day-hikers and overnight visitors to have a backcountry permit — yes, even day-hikers. Even with the lousy snow year we’ve had in 2020, an early June still means there will be snow in most places in the Sierra. August 2, 2020. The Wilderness sits on the crest of the Sierra Nevada Mountain’s Crystal Range, west of Lake Tahoe, and north of Highway 50. Day three stats: 4.1 miles. Desolation is a popular backpacking destination, with much barren rocky terrain at the edge of the tree line. A list of other trailheads that provide access to the wilderness follows. The first section of the trail, until Tamarack Lake, is very popular. Although this hike can be done as a … The trail follows the eastern shore of the Echo Lakes, high above lakeside cabins. +/- 3,000 feet of elevation with a starting elevation of 6,970 feet and a peak elevation of 9,660 feet. Follow the PCT past Lake Aloha, Heather Lake and Susie Lake. Details: Middle Velma Lake – Desolation Wilderness. Mike L wrote a review Sep 2017. comments. Desolation Wilderness. Plenty of hiking trails; some to waterfalls and others to great views of Lake Tahoe. But the views were amazing. Desolation Wilderness, California. If you choose not to take the water taxi, add 5 miles to the overall trip. Route Name: Bayview Trailhead Location: South Lake Tahoe, California Duration: 3 days minimum Length:22 km / 13.8 miles 570 ft elevation gain. Cooking was a challenge as the wind tried to extinguish our stoves. This Location The Tahoe to Yosemite, Tahoe Rim, and Pacific Crest Trails through Desolation Wilderness : Main Features: Meeks Bay is the trail head for the Classic Tahoe to Yosemite Trail, and an excellent entry point into the Desolation Wilderness for short and medium distance backpackers as well.. We didn’t mind a bit of snow, but we didn’t want it to be the dominating part of the adventure. You may find the area so remarkable that you will want to stay longer -- it's hard to see all its beauty in such a short amount of time. Share. We lost the trail a few times, but it was easy enough to follow the lake in the right direction until we rejoined the trail. The hike to Lake Aloha is the ultimate day hike in Desolation Wilderness. Lake Aloha via Rockbound Pass – Desolation Wilderness (38 mile loop) Trip Overview: ~38 mile backpacking trip in Desolation Wilderness near South Lake Tahoe. I was glad to hear your Yosemite trips are happening. Both of us had the route loaded on our Garmin Fenix 6 watch, which beeped any time we strayed too far off course, telling us to check the map and where we needed to head. We followed the Tamarack Trail all the way back to the PCT. The sun hit our campsite as we made breakfast, forcing us to shed layers down to shorts within minutes. As we got higher, we started getting a great view of the lakes below us. Lake of the Woods via Pacific Crest Trail, PCT: CA Section K - Echo Lake to Highway 80, Fallen Leaf Lake, Lake Aloha, Mount Tallac Loop, Maggie's Peak, Eagle Lake, Granite Lake Loop. We encountered snow at around 8000ft. After a short while on the PCT, we turned right and headed down toward Glen Alpine. The wind was still for minutes, then all of a sudden, you could hear the wind pick up in the treetops. Even though I’d hiked this part of the PCT/TRT a couple of times before, I never get tired of the mountain vistas in Desolation. This trail offers great views with a variety of terrains. Summer Backpacking near Lake Tahoe has many options, however the opportunity to backpack on the PCT into desolation Wilderness is by far the most sought after experience for hikers in the Central Sierra yearly. If you're looking for a weekend backpacking trip with the most bang for your buck, look no further than Desolation Wilderness. This was our first time backpacking Desolation Wilderness in South Tahoe and we absolutely loved it! Elevation Gain: 2100 Feet. Near the densely-populated city of South Lake Tahoe in El Dorado County lies the strikingly beautiful Desolation Wilderness area. Desolation Wilderness has been my favorite destination for backpacking lately since it’s so close to home, and there are so many spots and trails I still want to explore. The Value of Reflective Water Pain, Beauty, Life The beauty around Lake Genevieve reflecting off its still morning surface is striking. We could see Fallen Leaf Lake and Lake Tahoe behind us, with tall mountains on either side. This Desolation Wilderness backpacking hike will take you through 12+ miles of beautiful scenery and alpine lakes! The snow was slushy in the warm summer sun, but it held firm under our feet. Take the Glen Alpine Trail back to Fallen Leaf. The Tahoe Rim Trail and Pacific Crest Trail pass through the wilderness. Philip Werner 4000 Footers, Backpacking Trips, Trip Reports, White Mountains. From the PCT intersection, we only had a short 20 minute downhill stroll to get to our campsite. He had to use rocks to set it up for the rest of the night. Trail Head At: Bayview Trailhead Campground, South Lake Tahoe. The bare granite and snow backdrop makes the lake look even bluer if possible. We’d met a man by the spring who told us that the trail we were planning to take hadn’t been maintained for a while. Desolation Wilderness is one of the most popular wilderness areas in the nation. Permits. After a hot day of hiking, there is no better way to relax than with a swim in beautiful Lake Aloha where you can spend hours swimming from island to island. ← Bikepacking in Patagonia – from El Bolsón to Bariloche, Bacon mac and cheese: 2-ingredient easy backpacking meal →. Tallac, Bayview, Eagle Lake and Meeks Bay. Even with the breeze, the air was pleasantly warm, especially considering it was early June. Initially, we thought he must have been mistaken as the path was in good shape and even had a new trail sign. Both of us were tired anyway after sleeping poorly the night before, so we fell asleep early. Backpacking Desolation Wilderness ABOVE : Last light lingers in the high country around Dick’s Lake. Even though I had one of the most comfortable campsites in a long time, I wasn’t able to get a good night’s sleep. At waterfall camp, you'll have the opportunity to explore over 50 waterfalls. Desolation is a relative term. It is also one of the most popular wilderness areas in the country due to its proximity to South Lake Tahoe, breathtaking views, numerous lakes & … Permits are required in Desolation Wilderness. We could already see the opposite side of the valley that we would be climbing to get back to Desolation. We’d been woken up several times by strong wind gusts. We took advantage of the situation by using the restrooms at the trailhead, then quickly continued. Helpful. #1 - Lake Aloha Trail. Desolation Wilderness is a federally protected wilderness of 63,000+ acres in Northern California. The most popular backpacking area is Desolation Wilderness, a 63,690-acre granite slab on the edge of the tree line in Eldorado National Forest.Nearby, the 19,048-acre Granite Chief Wilderness, a relatively unknown aside from the popular Five Lakes day hike, has deep canyons, fields of bright yellow mule's ears and the historic cabins at Whiskey Creek. After discussing some alternatives and checking satellite photos on Caltopo, we decided to go for a relatively snow-free loop in Desolation Wilderness near Lake Tahoe. Backpacking into Desolation Wilderness provides visitors and locals alike a simple well earned separation from the bulk of the crowds and… My tent held up ok, although I did tighten the lines once. This trip can easily be extended to an overnight backpacking trip with a stay near Lake Aloha. Desolation Wilderness is one of the most heavily used wilderness areas in the country. We only broke through in a few places where the melting water had created snow bridges. We laid down on the sunny rocks for a while to let our shoes dry out. Even though it was very last minute, we got to see and experience some top-notch alpine landscapes and enjoy nature. The Desolation is a 64,000-acre playground crisscrossed by hiking trails, running water and a generous number of alpine lakes of all sizes bursting with wild brook trout. The cold wind made us retreat into the relative warmth of our tents before the sun had fully set. 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