The hike up was less than 4 miles with an elevation gain of less than 1,000 feet ( you start high). Desolation Wilderness is one of the most heavily used wilderness areas in the country. Shasta Lake Trails in the Hikepack map Visitors can also explore Desolation Wilderness starting from Echo Lakes Trailhead, Glen Alpine Trailhead, Bayview Trailhead, Loon Lake Trailhead, Buck Island Trailhead, and Horsetail Falls Trailhead. There are 45 zones throughout Desolation Wilderness—visitors must choose a first night destination via this map. By using our Services or clicking I agree, you agree to our use of cookies. Desolation Wilderness is jointly administered by both the Eldorado National Forest and Lake Tahoe Basin Mgnt. Desolation Wilderness Permits and Maps For overnight backpacking in Desolation Wilderness, a permit is required. Ashland  (Coming soon) Day 1 – Choosing a Route Through Desolation Wilderness. //-->. I started off at Wrights Lake Campground in the Desolation Wilderness just outside of Lake Tahoe, CA. Wedding Venues I did a trip to Twin Lakes last August and it was amazing. The Plague! 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. Crater Lake (Coming soon), For more information on local attractions, click on the. Desolation Wilderness Permits and Quotas Because of its beauty and accessibility, Desolation Wilderness is one of the most heavily used wilderness areas in the United States. Eager to get back out and see more of Desolation. > Note: Some zones have small quotas, as few as two people, so check the list below to determine if your destination allows enough people for your party size. Camping fires are not allowed in the area. I don’t know why it’s so bad this season, but from Tahoe City south  along the beaches the bees are everywhere! Thank you. Look up treating your clothes with permethrin, works well. If you are planning a lake vacation be sure to check about water levels. The nearest temperature station is XN TAHOE VALLEY AP which is approximately 9 miles away and has an elevation of 150 feet (1,850 feet lower than Desolation Wilderness). It attracts nearly 100 hot air balloons. All Local Area Activities And while permits can be hard to snag, getting here is easy. In order to protect its unique beauty and wilderness character, human access is limited and certain activities are restricted in the Desolation. It is located west of Lake Tahoe and north of Highway 50 in El Dorado County. This would be my first choice. Permits must be obtained in person at offices which issue Desolation Wilderness permits. The ski areas were finally blessed with SNOW! , Things to Do bahiker.com, Press J to jump to the feed. Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival—7/8 – 8/21, North Lake—Imagine your toes in the sand, a fantastic bottle of wine nearby, a gourmet meal in hand and first-class entertainment before you…, Labor Day Lake Tahoe Fireworks Extravaganza—9/4/16 @ 08:30 PM. Allow Desolation Wilderness to empower you to leap into the unknown and explore the beauty of the backcountry. Plant life, however, has adapted and the flora is diverse. Good resources: The charts include the distance one way to the destination, the difficulty rating for that section of the trail, and the zone you will be in when you reach that destination. Desolation Wilderness. Awesome hiking from late spring to late summer. Click here to learn more. /* 160x600, created 8/11/09 */ California Cookies help us deliver our Services. As with almost all of the zones in Desolation Wilderness, there is more than one trailhead to choose from as your entry/exit point, as was the case for us. 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