Overall, loved desolation wilderness. Read more. Desolation Wilderness map + printed permit Black Diamond Storm headlamp Digital wristwatch Adventure Medical Kits Ultralight & Watertight First Aid Kit .5 Toothbrush, toothpaste + floss Sunscreen + lip balm Duct tape + p-cord bracelet Pee rag, a.k.a. Home / Backpacking the White Mountain 4000 Footers Guidebook / Backpacking the Desolation Loop. Explore backpacking desolation wilderness - view hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you. Advanced permits are required for all overnight backpackers, and day hikers do not need a permit. Examples: park "national park" or hiking, trails. She decided to stay in Desolation Wilderness and was mentally and physically ready to confront Carl if she saw him again. Keywords recreation, camping, hiking. Allow Desolation Wilderness to empower you to leap into the unknown and explore the beauty of the backcountry. You can book a permit online at Recreation.gov or score one of the first-come-first-serve permits at the Tahoe South Visitor Center, … Many of the lakes are not signed, so a map will assist with distinguishing one from another as you wind your way through the wilderness. Included is the routes I took for hiking to Pyramid Peak and Dick’s Peak, although there are many ways in which to reach the top of either peak. We took this trip in early winter, right before the big snows started piling up. Tweet. Read more. It has an air about it that is undiscovered and full of wonder. Eagle Lake trail is one of our favorites. Backpack to this secluded destination that's hidden from most of the traffic in Desolation Wilderness. Trailhead: Google Maps Permit Required: Yes for overnight backpacking (issued for Desolation Wilderness), self issued at the trailhead for day hikers. It’s summer and time for another backpacking trip. One of the top rated backpacking destinations. Date of experience: June 2018. If you are a lover of nature and backpacking, then Desolation Wilderness in California is a destination worth looking at. Desolation Wilderness is one of the most heavily used wilderness areas in the country. https://tahoetowhitney.com/.../Maps/Middle_Velma_to_Aloha_Lake_Map.html The hike over Rockbound Pass is far less crowded than many of the trails on the eastern side of the wilderness. My second backpacking trip to be exact. Date of experience: June 2018. Permits. Desolation Wilderness Permits and Quotas. West Linn 380 contributions 93 helpful votes +1. Plenty of hiking trails; some to waterfalls and others to great views of Lake Tahoe. It can be difficult to find solitude, especially if you’re hiking to Lake Aloha or up Pyramid Peak on a summer weekend. If you choose not to take the water taxi, add 5 miles to the overall trip. This loop traverses over Rockbound Pass and Dicks Pass on its way to the beautiful Lake Aloha. The crest of the Sierra Nevada runs through it, just west of Lake Tahoe. Gems in Desolation Wilderness - 1. Filter Product by Location. We went after Labor Day in order to avoid crowds. The trails are heavy traffic due to day hikes but everyone was mindful of covid safety. The Wilderness sits on the crest of the Sierra Nevada Mountain’s Crystal Range, west of Lake Tahoe, and north of Highway 50. The Desolation has been broken into 45 different “zones” with a quota system limiting the number of people in each one. They used to be free, but now cost $5 a person for one night and $10.00 per person for two or more nights up to 14 days (non-refundable). Share. Dates: Jun 13 - Jun 14 Miles: 6.6 roundtrip Elevation change: 1,370 ft Trail type: Out and back Permit: Required Trailhead: Google Maps . Water: Filter along the way. Not many bug except at night. Explore Desolation Wilderness Permit in Eldorado National Forest, California with Recreation.gov. Mary reveals how this sketchy incident inspired her to keep backpacking solo. +/- 3,000 feet of elevation with a starting elevation of 6,970 feet and a peak elevation of 9,660 feet. R at ing. Add keywords. Because of its beauty and accessibility, Desolation Wilderness is one of the most heavily used wilderness areas in the United States. The whole place was in transition between fall and winter so we got some easy snow-free hiking in the beginning and then transitioned to full-on winter as we hiked further in. pee-kerchief Toilet paper, small bottle Purell, and extra plastic bag for used TP Desolation Wilderness is far from a hidden secret. Highlights include alpine lakes, granite peaks, and expansive views of Desolation Wilderness. For backpacking, Fontanillis and Dicks Lake are both in the same Desolation Wilderness zone - #23. Jessica Bradley reviewed Spaulding Lake Trail. Google Map. Hiking in Desolation Wilderness. The variety of lakes and peaks within the region are unlike any other and offer visitors endless options for fun. You can reserve 11 spots ahead of time online at Recreation.gov, and 5 spots … The Desolation Loop is a moderately strenuous 41 mile backpack through the eastern half of the White Mountain’s Pemigewasset Wilderness, bounded by the Bonds, Ethan Ridge, Carrigain Notch, and Hancock Notch. The Desolation Wilderness is a 63,960-acre (258.8 km2) federally protected wilderness area in the Eldorado National Forest and Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, in El Dorado County, California. Toilet near trailhead. We did a backpacking trip to Desolation wilderness in July to Zone 33 and it was wonderful. This map is only for reference and shows the general route from Echo Lakes to Emerald Bay through Desolation Wilderness. Created 5/1/06 From fs.fed.us. Desolation Wilderness is jointly administered by both the Eldorado National Forest and Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit. Mike L wrote a review Sep. 2017. It is great for a 2-day, 1-night backpacking trip on a weekend or for a long day hike. A trek through Lake Tahoe's Desolation Wilderness past several lakes including Granite Lake, Dick's Lake, Velma Lake, Fontanillis Lake, and Eagle Lake. The crest of the Sierra Nevada runs through it, just west of Lake Tahoe. 39:00: Mary understands victims of violent crime and how they could freeze in the middle of an assault. Share. Grab some maps for Granite Chief, Tahoe, and Robbs Peak if you want to venture beyond the most accessible trailheads or turn your hike into more than a weekend excursion. Desolation Wilderness is absolutely stunning and I almost don’t even wanna write this post about it because it’s so precious and pristine. Hiking Project is built by hikers like you. December 28, 2020. Backpacking the Desolation Loop . Final Thoughts/Major Takeaways. The hike over Rockbound Pass is far less crowded than many of the trails on the eastern side of the wilderness. Helpful. Posted on June 12, 2014 by Christopher Saveanu under Trips. See an error? We completed this short distance backpacking trip over 3 days in July of 2018. 43:10: Solo backpacking is magical and a cathartic way for Mary to sort out issues. no ratings. A Guide to Desolation Wilderness is available from the Forest Service. Desolation Wilderness is a federally protected wilderness of 63,000+ acres in Northern California. Each group in the Desolation must carry a permit or be subject to a stiff fine. Desolation Wilderness Permits and Maps For overnight backpacking in Desolation Wilderness, a permit is required. Backpack to Twin Lakes. And she shares insight on how and why to face your fears. Backpacking Desolation Wilderness. We went after Labor Day in order to avoid crowds. Add Your Recommended Routes. Trip Overview: ~38 mile backpacking trip in Desolation Wilderness near South Lake Tahoe. Free day-hiker permit at trailhead. In fact, it’s so popular you’ll need a permit to enter, even if you’re planning just a day hike. 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 … VIEW FULL MAP. Maps. The Desolation Wilderness can be a busy place, so a permit system was established in an effort to spread people out and preserve the quality of the experience for everyone. Useful. When to Go. Map: Desolation and Granite Chief Wilderness National Geographic. Shows pack-in camping zones, trailheads, parking, and other points of interest in the area. Report it. This time I chose the beautiful Desolation Wilderness in Lake Tahoe, CA. RECOMMENDED ROUTE Difficult. There are several trailheads in the vicinity of South Lake Tahoe, with access from Highway 50 and Highway 89. Eagle Lake trail is one of our favorites. View fullsize . Recommended Routes in Desolation Wilderness - 12 Hiking Project is built by hikers like you. Hiking. Backpack to Twin Lakes. The hike was strenuous but the challenge was worth the beautiful views. Permits are required for both day use and overnight camping. Zoom in to see details. Desolation Wilderness is one of those places that still seems untouched. The Desolation Wilderness is a 63,960-acre (258.8 km2) federally protected wilderness area in the Eldorado National Forest and Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, in El Dorado County, California. West Linn 380 contributions 93 helpful votes +1. Whether on a day trip or multi-day backpacking adventure, Desolation Wilderness will not disappoint. Map of Desolation Wilderness, southwest of Lake Tahoe, California. Overnight permits are available to book starting Nov. 10, Read more. View fullsize. From Berkeley, take Interstate 80 up … Permits. Add Your Gems . Along the route you are treated to amazing scenery with highlights including: alpine lakes, granite peaks, meadows, waterfalls, and expansive views of El Dorado National… It can be difficult to find solitude, especially if you’re hiking to Lake Aloha or up Pyramid Peak on a summer weekend. This hike provides a great tour of some of the best features of desolation wilderness. Plenty of hiking trails; some to waterfalls and others to great views of Lake Tahoe. And while permits can be hard to snag, getting here is easy. New NatGeo Maps for Desolation Wilderness and Big Bend National Park. It is an extremely popular hiking destination in California and boasts a number of attractive trails, including the Middle Velma Lake … Other Trip Options. Map Key Favorites Check-Ins. In order to protect its unique beauty and wilderness character, human access is limited and certain activities are restricted in the Desolation. Driving out of the chaotic city of San Francisco before the sun has risen, parking the car and carrying nothing but a backpack into the woods- it has become a moment of clarity and a refresh button. Hiking in Desolation Wilderness. Trip Overview: ~12 mile relaxing backpacking trip in Desolation Wilderness. Mike L wrote a review Sep 2017. Eager to get out of the city again for the weekend, I chatted the idea with … Desolation Wilderness is one of the most heavily used wilderness areas in the country. However Staying on the Path of the PCT provides you an opportunity to check off one of the best segments of the famed long distance trail in the high Sierra. Maps: USGS Echo Lake, USGS Pyramid Peak, Desolation Wilderness by Tom Harrison Maps Trailhead GPS coordinates: N 38 50.021 W 120 02.564 Notes: Dogs allows on-leash. The 15-minute USGS topo map Fallen Leaf Lake provides a view of most of the Desolation Wilderness area. 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