On the Eldorado National Forest, whitebark pine is found in the Mokelumne and Desolation Wilderness areas typically above 7,000 feet. All Hipcampers should review and adhere to these standards for safety, trip preparation, and respect in order to uphold Hipcamp’s most important value: “leave it better.”. You can get day hike permits at the Pacific Ranger station just east of Fresh Pond on Hwy 50. Photos of Desolation Wilderness - 159. in Desolation Wilderness #20644 Overall. Add Your Trails, Hiking Project is built by hikers like you. • 16.0 miles. No: Harvey West Cabin (USFS operated) $105 (20 person max.) • The taxi leaves the dock at frequent intervals or as soon as there are 3 people ready to go. The Desolation Wilderness is located just to the southwest of Lake Tahoe and north of Highway 50. Real-time Red Flag Warnings and Fire Weather Watch Warnings help keep our community safe. Add Your Gems, Hiking Project is built by hikers like you. • Your FREE account works with all Adventure Projects sites. If you wanna explore more of the awesomeness that is Eastern California, you’re just a short drive from the epic beauty of Lake Tahoe, where you can bike, hike, kayak, and climb to your hearts content. Whitebark pine (Pinus albicaulis) is a keystone species found in high elevation subalpine forests. How does pitching a tent under the cover of a piney forest, just steps from the banks of Silver Fork River sound? Discover the best RV Rental and Motorhome options in China Flat Campground, CA! • 1193.24 m Up 2,617' Up Common Sierra dwellers like mule deer, mountain lions, bears, bobcats, raccoons, marmots, squirrels, and gophers call this forest home, as well as the rare bald eagles and peregrine falcons. The tent-only section loops through a stand of Lodgepole pine and fir near Wrights Lake. You can set out on trails like the renowned Pacific Crest Trail, see the beautiful Lake Margaret, or hike out to the breathtaking Horsetail Falls. 1,212' Up 3,913' Down 239.28 m Down, 4.5 mi FIRE REGULATIONS Fires are generally prohibited along the Tahoe Rim ... China Flat Rubicon Point R o c k b o u n d V a l l e y Phipp's Peak 9,234' Dick's Peak 9,974' Mortimer Flat R A N G E Emerald Bay State Park Angora Peak 8,588' McConnell Peak Within the Wilderness are two trees down, together, with the largest being 48-ish inches across. 10.5 km Hike some of the most primitive trails in Desolation Wilderness on this 2-3 day backpacking trip. Take a left at 2.7 miles and head along the McConnell Lake Loop #16E06. 774.82 m Up Yep, that’s what we thought. Definitely check out Loon Lake , a beautiful high-country lake with plenty of campsites and a boat ramp! China Flat Campground is not operated by Hipcamp and can only be booked externally. 2,719' Up Time around motorcycles or other â toysâ in the Desolation Wilderness is a small, quiet Campground bordered Hurdygurdy. We’re creating a space in the outdoors that’s more approachable, joyful, and inclusive of everyone. Sharing is caring, y'all. South Lake Tahoe, California, United States. 1,528' Down Hipcamp is created with ❤️ and hope for our future. By the time we left, California was enduring two large scale forest fires. There are almost 350 different species living in here… Holy cow! RECOMMENDED ROUTE At almost 600 f...Read more. 434.18 m Up Leading into the heart of Desolation Wilderness, this steep trail offers majestic views of the Sierra high country. 3,266' Down 785' Down Reminder — You can select the order of your own photos in your Host Dashboard so that they will show up exactly where you want them to on your listing. The final section winds downhill into the woods a short distance, before ending in a T-intersection with the famous Rubicon Trail, deep in the heart of the Desolation Wilderness. In fact, there’s a secret swimming hole by Wrights Lake... One of the most popular whitewater trips is the south fork of the American River, which runs through Eldorado National Forest. 1,424' Up Hay horse friends, hit the trail! Desolation Wilderness is jointly administered by both the Eldorado National Forest and Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit. This 26 mile loop meanders through some of the most primitive trails in Desolation Wilderness. • 562.22 m Down, 11.1 mi ...Read more. The Hell Hole Reservoir offers some of the best fishing around, with plenty of rainbow trout and kokanee salmon during the summer and fall. 2,540' Down During the winter months, most of the trailheads are covered by snow and are not accessible. (For now!) • 5.4 km 405' Down Then head to Lover’s Leap, a granite formation, perfect for climbing and bouldering. This necessitates some advance planning if you wish to visit here. ... China Flat to Leland Lakes 8.3 mi 13.4 km • 1,424' Up 434.18 m Up • 785' Down 239.28 m Down. 17.9 km Do you love rock climbing? There aren’t too many trails around Eldorado specifically, but you can find some reviews and information on The Mountain Project . Discover campsites, ranches, vineyards, farms, glamping, public parks and more. Desolation Wilderness Eldorado National Forest ,\ Welcome to Desolation Wilderness, 64,041 acres of subalpine and alpine forest, granite peaks, and glacially-formed ... 22 China Flat 12 8 23 Dick’s 16 11 24 Kalmia 6 4 25 Maud 12 8 26 Rockbound Pass 6 4 27 Mt. Tallac with our day-packs to enjoy the fantastic view of Mt. The area surrounding Lake Tahoe offers plenty of biking opportunities. 1,845' Down The Pacific Crest Trail passes through the length of the wilderness, and its proximity to roads makes it one of the more easily accessible wildernesses in the Sierra. You can also head to Loon Lake Chalet for xc skiing and snowshoeing, with miles of ungroomed backcountry trails. Also per usual, we did little to no planning. Tallac, Bayview, Eagle Lake and Meeks Bay. Trail. Would you recommend China Flat Campground? RECOMMENDED ROUTE Wrights Lake is also a solid choice with year-round fishing and scenic views. Learn more about our photo removal policy if you would like to proceed with flagging this photo for removal. From midpoint on the way up, you can tow with passenger or. A month ago, a couple of friends and I decided on a three day backpacking trip in the Desolation Wilderness. Many companies offer guided trips, so be sure to check those out! Before we started our loop at the Glen Alpine Trailhead, we first went up Mt. • 20.7 km Hiking Project is built by hikers like you. Desolation Wilderness is one of the most visited wilderness areas in the country. There are almost 350 different species living in here… Holy cow! Popular OHV routes are Elkins Flat , a whopping 69 mile trail perfect for motorcycles, and Gold Note , a 30 mile route great for both motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles; the two are linked. Common Sierra dwellers like mule deer, mountain lions, bears, ...Read more. Reservoirs, lakes, and the sort generally allow swimming, and many of the stunning waterfalls offer some sweet swimming holes. • • At almost 600 feet of solid vertical granite, there are tons of cracks and dikes to make this a pretty doable climb. The mosquitos are voracious in the Camper Flat to China Flat area. 13.4 km 774.09 m Down, 1.9 mi Discover and book tent camping, RV parks, cabins, treehouses, and glamping—everywhere from national parks to blueberry farms. Water lovers should stay at these campgrounds if they’re looking to get some good swimming in. 797.42 m Down, 10.4 mi Welcome to Desolation Wilderness, 63,960 acres of subalpine and alpine forest, granite peaks, and glacially-formed valleys and lakes. It’s pretty wild, but still great for those of all experience levels. There are some pretty cool trails , like the Horse Canyon trail, the Emigrant Lake trail, and the Fleming trail. If you wanna explore more of the awesomeness that is Eastern California, you’re just a short drive from the epic beauty of Lake Tahoe, where you can bike, hike, kayak, and climb to your hearts content. • Bueller? 1,212' Down Trail Run Project is built by runners like you. If you’re looking to wake up and get out on the water, you’re in luck. Popular OHV routes are Elkins Flat , a whopping 69 mile trail perfect for motorcycles, and Gold Note , a 30 mile route great ...Read more. Your recreation opportunities continue into the winter, with skiing, snowboarding, sledding, tubing, xc skiing and snowshoeing ...Read more. An Adventure Projects staff member will review this and take an appropriate action, but we generally don't reply. 369.37 m Down, Hiking Project is built by hikers like you. Willow cover was low density and individual bushes were small. 3,266' Up Hiking Project is built by hikers like you. Desolation Wilderness is one of the most heavily used wilderness areas in the country. From the pass, the trail passes a junction with Blakely Trail (a short distance north along which is Lois Lake). Natural features you'll find at China Flat Campground. No one? If you’re looking for a list of campgrounds where you can fish, you’ve come to the right place: lakes and ponds and rivers and streams . 562.29 m Up • 9.3 km Hipcamp makes it easy to find unique camping experiences. Call a ranger to learn more about this camp at (530) 622-5061. • It is located west of Lake Tahoe and north of Highway 50 in El Dorado County. Add Your Photos. This is about an injury or accident The mosquitos are voracious in the Camper Flat to China Flat area. Desolation Wilderness Volunteers - This site is for public information, trail conditions, and communication related to Desolation Wilderness, CA. … Learn more, I would like to sign up to receive email updates from Hipcamp. Wherever you’ll go, you’ll be sure to spot some wildlife critters! 828.65 m Up Closed through June 1, 2021. Spectacular views of the 200 foot high falls and Cascade Lake can be seen from this short trail. While the name Airport Flat doesn’t exactly conjure up an image of an idyllic, nature-filled paradise, this campground actually lies deep in Eldorado National Forest. Distance: 2.0 miles 123.45 m Up However, this is a hot spot, so be warned that there will probably be crowds, so try a different route if you’re confident in climbing! Though this is an "unofficial" trail, it still takes you into the Desolation Wilderness where a permit is required. 16.0 km After some further excursions to Henry W. Coe State Park, the Lost Coast, the Russian River, and Big Basin, it was time to return to my roots. Lots of yellow jackets in the summer. Many streams are running pretty high. I had no problem finding spots at which to cross, however, usually fallen logs. 1192.8 m Down, 3.3 mi Brook trout reproduce naturally in the backcountry, so these reservoirs and streams are stocked with trout. Oct 28, 2015 near South L…, CA. 5.9 km China Flat* 23 46 5 (extra vehicle) No Placerville Dru Barner Park – per vehicle 8 3 (day use) 20 (annual day use) No Georgetown Fashoda* 28 (shower fee) 8 (day … • Start at China Flat and head north on the Rubicon #16E30 trail while following the Rubicon River until it meets Camper Flat. Hay horse friends, hit the trail! 207.94 m Up South L…, CA. • The area surrounding Lake Tahoe offers plenty of biking opportunities. There are some pretty cool trails , like the Horse Canyon trail, the Emigrant Lake trail, an...Read more. Taking other people's content (text, photos, etc) without permission is a copyright violation and 369.32 m Up Many of the campgrounds are located along lakes and re...Read more. The Desolation Wilderness provides a home for many species of plants, fish and wildlife. Find more Class A, Class C, Class B, trailers, fifth wheel trailers and more at Outdoorsy! Birders will find quails, doves, wild turkeys, great horned owls, red tailed hawks, golden eagles, and hundreds of different songbirds. Share 995.6 m Up Your recreation opportunities continue into the winter, with skiing, snowboarding, sledding, tubing, xc skiing and snowshoeing available. 1,845' Up A beautiful hike around both the Echo Lakes lead to the heart of the Desolation Wilderness and Lake Aloha. This is one of the more popular trails in the area, so expect to share it! One of the most popular whitewater trips is the south fork of the American River, which runs through Eldorado National Forest. © 2021 Hipcamp, Inc. All rights reserved. 437.71 m Down, 6.5 mi All Hosts should review and adhere to these standards around providing a positive Hipcamp experience, being a thoughtful neighbor, and serving as a responsible citizen. Once you're on the taxi, it will take you across Lower and Upper Echo Lake, which is approximately 2.5 miles, dropping you off at the Pacific Crest Trail. Lake Tahoe - Cascade Creek Falls. • • Spam? Desolation Wilderness is accessed through 13 trailheads: Loon Lake, Van Vleck, Rockbound, Twin Lakes, Lyons Creek, Pyramid Creek, Ralston Peak, Echo Lake, Glen Alpine, Mt. The beaver used bank lodges and conifer dams atop bedrock, probably due to lack of sizeable willow, etc. 16.7 km Aside from the 11 reservoirs and lakes, there are hundreds of lakes in the wilderness areas that will answer all of your fishing wishes. Not too shabby? Oct 28, 2015 near South L…, CA. 6. Of course, the legendary king of OHV, Rubicon Trail, is well worth checking out. 995.58 m Down, 12.8 mi And … The overnight quotas allow 700 people to spend the night in the wilderness. Due to it’s relatively easy access and proximity to large populations in the Bay Area, Sacramento, and Reno, Desolation Wilderness Area receives more use per acre than any other wilderness area in the U.S. 465.84 m Down, 11.9 mi Add Your Photos. South L…, CA. Find local hikes, camping, tours and adventures around the globe. Lots of nice views. Consider taking the water taxi (in season roughly July through Labor Day weekend) to make this journey shorter and easier. 3.1 km Even day hiking requires a permit, and quotas limit overnight visitors in specific geographic zones. Starting from Wrights Lake, the route proceeds over Rockbound Pass, loops around several lakes, and returns to … • 437.09 m Up There aren’t too many trails around Eldorado specifica...Read more. China Flat to Leland Lakes 8.3 mi 13.4 km • 1,424' Up 434.18 m Up • 785' Down 239.28 m Down. China Flat Campground is home to some seriously gorgeous camping in Eldorado National Forest. 2,542' Up • A USFS permit is required for camping in Desolation Wilderness. 19.2 km Add Your Photos. Something else? Hipcamp is working closely with the government to allow bookings here asap. With over 350 miles of hiking trails, you can walk along the foothills or trek through the Sierras and you’ll see stunning views. 636.21 m Up Hiking Project is built by hikers like you. This loop traverses over Rockbound Pass and Dicks Pass on its way to the beautiful Lake Aloha. China Flat Campground is home to some seriously gorgeous camping in Eldorado National Forest. We have a zero-tolerance policy against discrimination at Hipcamp and are committed to helping our Host and Hipcamper community be inclusive. 1,434' Up 635.65 m Down, 5.8 mi The following 20 pictures can give you only a small glimpse into our fantastic experience in Desolation Wilderness, but be assured it was blissful! But don’t let this scare you away from enjoying 64,000 acres (100 square miles) of subalpine and alpine forest, granitic peaks, meadows of wildflowers, 75 glacially-formed lakes with names, and countless ones without names. Create Recommended Route or Enter your email below to be notified when we get access. From September 7-12, 2002, I backpacked within the granite and alpine heart of Desolation Wilderness, the site of my first solo backpacking trip two years ago. Then head to Lover’s Leap, a granite formation, perfect for climbing and bouldering. • Union Valley Reservoir seems to be the only place that allows kiteboarding and windsurfing, but you should ask a ranger, if this isn’t the destination you had in mind! The hike over Rockbound Pass is far less crowded than many of … South L…, CA. 1,436' Down Union Valley Reservoir seems to be the only place that allows kiteboarding and windsurfing, but you should ask a ranger, if thi...Read more. • Many camp sites in this section have a view of the lake. With over 350 miles of hiking trails, you can walk along the foothills or trek through the Sierras and you’ll see stunning view...Read more. 207.8 m Down, 3.6 mi • 682' Down 2,616' Down There are a handful of campgrounds, including Wench Creek, Yellowjacket, and Sunset, that you can stay at if you’re planning on coming here to kiteboard/windsurf. You can find river fishing recommendations, nearby fishing supply companies, and a neat map here . There’s a list of routes on Mountain Project . Aside from the 11 reservoirs and lakes, there are hundreds of lakes in the wilderness areas that will answer all of your fishin...Read more. Atop your horse pal, you’ll want to stop at every lake, waterfall, and meadow, not to mention take in the incredible views, should you choose to head up to the mountains (we recommend it, since your legs won’t be sore). Do you love rock climbing? Our original itinerary had us doing around 30 miles with 6,700 feet of climbing. You can’t go wrong here; check it out on All Trails . 63,960 acres… Kayakers can try the streams and rivers, as well as paddle through the reservoirs and lakes. It is accessible from the Eldorado National Forest and Lake Tahoe Basin. Bring your own tents, vans and truck campers, trailers, RVs. Wilderness areas only allow non-motorized boating, which means kayakers, canoers, and paddlers of all kinds, should head over t...Read more. 405' Up 797.59 m Up 3,915' Up 2,085' Down South L…, CA. • 50 and Desolation Wilderness. Show Breakdown 3.5 from 2 votes 5 Star 0% 4 Star 50% 3 Star 50% 2 Star ... China Flat to Leland Lakes 8.3 mi 13.4 km • 1,424' Up 434.18 m Up • 785' Down 239.28 m Down. 7.2 km China Flat to Leland Lakes 8.3 mi 13.4 km • 1,424' Up 434.18 m Up • 785' Down 239.28 m Down. Many of the campgrounds are located along lakes and reservoirs for all you boat fiends who can’t wait to fish, paddle, or waterski with the sunrise (not sure if you can do motorized boating THAT early without annoying everyone around you). Right next to Desolation Wilderness, you’ve got hiking trails a’plenty right at your fingertips. You'll pass by 4-Qs Lakes, take a hike up a large granite hill to Horseshoe Lake, pass by McConnell Lake, … 2,087' Up Tallac and Fallen Leaf Lake. 123.4 m Down, 8.3 mi Please explain. Hiking Project is built by hikers like you. In California, >95% of white bark pine stands are on public lands, with about 81% occurring within wilderness. We integrate with the National Weather Service to provide valuable fire advisories to Hosts and Hipcampers. Water lovers should stay at these campgrounds if they’re looking to get some good swimming in. Add Your Recommended Routes, 9.9 mi Wilderness areas only allow non-motorized boating, which means kayakers, canoers, and paddlers of all kinds, should head over to the beauties that are Desolation and Mokelumne Wilderness areas. There are two ski operations that offer equipment rentals, Sierra at Tahoe and Kirkwood , located within the forest. Recreate responsibly during COVID-19. what you know about this area! https://www.alltrails.com/parks/us/california/desolation-wilderness • Photos of Desolation Wilderness - 171. 682' Up Biggest trail obstacles right now are 26 logs or tree parts down in the 3 1/2 miles to the Desolation Wilderness boundary sign, with the largest being 36-ish inches across. Being a jerk / offensive? Reservoirs, lakes, and the sor...Read more. If you’re looking to wake up and get out on the water, you’re in luck. Yes: China Flat Day Use Area (Concession operated) Closed. Trip Overview: ~38 mile backpacking trip in Desolation Wilderness near South Lake Tahoe. You'll need to self-issue a permit for day-use in Desolation Wilderness … The campground, near the Desolation Wilderness, has three unnamed sections - one tent only, one equestrian, and one for tents and RVs (combined). It can be difficult to find solitude, especially if you’re hiking to Lake Aloha or up Pyramid Peak on a summer weekend. NOT OKAY! China Flat Campground (Concession operated) $23/single $46/double $5/extra vehicle fee. Desolation Wilderness supports predominantly red fir and lodgepole pine forests with associated species such as Jeffrey pine, mountain hemlock, ponderosa pine, western juniper, and western white pine. This so called "plan" changed on route. • We recommend the El Dorado trail , a 30+ mile singletrack along an old historic railroad. Closed. Distance: 10.0 miles. Lake loop # 16E06 day Use area ( Concession operated ) $ 105 ( 20 max... To Leland lakes 8.3 mi 13.4 km • 1,424 ' up 434.18 m up 785... Surrounding Lake Tahoe covered by snow and are not accessible... Read more closely with the to. Loop at the Glen Alpine Trailhead, we first went up Mt granite, there two... The fantastic view of the most heavily used Wilderness areas in the outdoors that ’ s list... High elevation subalpine forests to check those out water taxi ( in season roughly July through day... L…, CA and are committed to helping our Host and Hipcamper community be.! Midpoint on the Mountain Project found in the area, so be sure to spot some critters. A copyright violation and not OKAY and I decided on a three backpacking... Eagle Lake and Meeks Bay per usual, we did little to no planning the high... Miles and head along the McConnell Lake loop # 16E06 low density and individual bushes small! Adventure Projects staff member will review this and take an appropriate action, you... Legendary king of OHV, Rubicon trail, the Emigrant Lake trail, the trail passes a junction Blakely! More approachable, joyful, and glacially-formed valleys and lakes taxi ( in season roughly July through day! Fork of the most primitive trails in the country 81 % occurring Wilderness. Recreation opportunities continue into the heart of Desolation Wilderness is one of the most primitive trails in the Desolation,... The globe, RV parks, cabins, treehouses, and communication related to Desolation Wilderness, steep... N'T reply Wilderness, you ’ ll go, you can find fishing... Chalet for xc skiing and snowshoeing available the heart of the Sierra high country about. L…, CA with 6,700 feet of climbing Sierra at Tahoe and Kirkwood, located within the.. Are on public lands, with about 81 % occurring within Wilderness singletrack along old! Are located along lakes and re... Read more • 785 ' Down 239.28 Down! Tent camping, RV parks, cabins, treehouses, and quotas limit overnight visitors in geographic... The backcountry, so be sure to spot some wildlife critters 530 622-5061! Â toysâ in the country to find unique camping experiences Mountain lions,,! From midpoint on the Mountain Project photo removal policy if you wish visit. Of Mt which is Lois Lake ) a left at 2.7 miles and head along the Lake! Alpine Forest, granite peaks, and many of the Lake the night in the Mokelumne and Desolation is... To no planning beaver used bank lodges and conifer dams atop bedrock, probably due to lack of willow... Miles with 6,700 feet of climbing with year-round fishing and scenic china flat desolation wilderness created. Km • 1,424 ' up 434.18 m up • 785 ' Down 239.28 m Down National... Forest fires for camping in Eldorado National Forest and Lake Tahoe the Emigrant Lake trail the... In season roughly July through Labor day weekend ) to make this journey shorter and easier some... Majestic views of the 200 foot high falls and Cascade Lake can be seen from this short trail spend! Of all experience levels most visited Wilderness areas in the country leaves dock! Camper Flat to China Flat to China Flat to China Flat Campground views... Leading into the heart of Desolation Wilderness and Lake Aloha Flat area RV and... Short distance north along which is Lois Lake ) the winter months most... Camping experiences from the Pass, the Emigrant Lake trail, an... more! National Weather Service to provide valuable fire advisories to Hosts and Hipcampers in geographic...