This forest order closes backcountry areas to camping, including Meiss Country, the Tahoe Rim Trail, and Luther Pass, Watson Lake and Blackwood Canyon campgrounds. Ice House Road Trailheads on the west side of Desolation: Loon Lake Trailhead, elevation 6,500 ft. A 6 mile hike starting along the southern edge of Loon Lake leads to the Buck Island Lake on the northern border of the wilderness area. There is now an emergency camping prohibition that goes into effect on Tuesday, September 8, 2020. If you choose not to take the water taxi, add 5 miles to the overall trip. The Desolation Wilderness consists of 63,000 acres with over one hundred small- to medium-sized lakes within a subalpine environment of granitic peaks and glacially formed valleys. South L…, CA. Attractions and Considerations : Desolation Wilderness, 63,960 acres of subalpine and alpine forest, granitic peaks, and glacially-formed valleys and lakes. Desolation Wilderness is one of the largest wilderness areas near Lake Tahoe at almost 64,000 acres. August 3, 2018 - Desolation Wilderness Bear Activity Update from USFS Wilderness Ranger, Shannon Maguire. With Robby Massey, Derek Mungor, Curt Mungor, Shea Depmore. A long weekend spent visiting a few lakes along Meeks Bay Trail in Desolation Wilderness. U.S. Forest Service - Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit “I have be en working in the Velma Lakes area for the past two weeks. After this, you will enter the Desolation Wilderness, which you can get a permit for near the parking lot. Forest closure orders have been extended. The crest of the Sierra Nevada runs through it, just west of Lake Tahoe. ... (The nearby Wrights Lake Campground is actually closed for repair this season, due to all the storm damage/ downed trees.) The first part of this hike follows the well-travelled Twin Falls trail out of the Desolation Wilderness parking area at the coordinates provided (a mile into the hike if the Wrights Lake gate is closed. Listen to music from Desolation Wilderness like Moon Dreams, Satellite Song & more. Desolation Wilderness' scenery is second to none at any time of the year, with so few people using the area in the winter months that you practically have it to yourself most days. During the winter, day permits are available at the Placerville Ranger … 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). If an area is crowded, move to a less occupied location. The area became a designated Wilderness in 1969 and is probably one of the most heavily used "Wilderness" areas within the U.S. Visiting Bear Country “Bears are made of the same dust as we, and breathe the same winds and drink of the same waters. It can be reached by taking Wrights Lake Road off of Highway 50. Welcome to Desolation Wilderness, 63,960 acres of sub-alpine and alpine forest, granite peaks, and glacially-formed valleys and lakes. This website is established for the Desolation Wilderness Volunteers, and for public information. RECOMMENDED ROUTE Difficult. Desolation Wilderness is still closed to overnight camping. Desolation Wilderness by Jerome Yesavage, 1994, Frank Amato Publications edition, in English From here on out, overnight permits must be secured ahead of time and are subject to whatever is available. A hike through the Desolation Wilderness could be a nice change of pace after spending a day on the water with your Lake Tahoe boat rental from H2O Craft Rentals. important closures and restrictions for their own safety and the safety of firefighters. Carson City News - Carson Now Follow Wrights Lake Road until you reach Wrights Lake. The trail is an environmentally sensitive trail running on the border of Desolation Wilderness deviating from the established trail, driving onto Desolation Wilderness land or walking onto Desolation Wilderness without a permit has and will result in heavy forest service fines. Follow Wrights Lake Road until you reach Wrights Lake. Browse 8 mining claims close to Desolation Wilderness. A bear’s days are warmed by the same sun, his dwellings are overdomed by the same blue sky, and his life turns and ebbs with heart-pulsings like ours and was poured from the same fountain…” -John Muir . Registration is closed Let's escape from the city and head out into nature for the weekend! Any trailhead into Desolation Wilderness will be popular, but this one is fairly remote and has a long walk of 3+ miles before even reaching the Wilderness boundary. $6 per party/permit (non-refundable) for all transaction types (online, by phone, or walk-in/field reservations for a permit. And backcountry skiing isn't just fun - it's a great workout to boot, so you can enjoy a burger and beer afterwards without feeling guilty. It is a pretty awe-inspiring area. Starting at the trailhead at the back of Emerald Bay off of Lake Tahoe, we trudged about 6 miles up the granite to the Velma Lakes where we pitched our tents … It can be difficult to find solitude, especially if you’re hiking to Lake Aloha or up Pyramid Peak on a summer weekend. Our goal is the preservation of wilderness and the education of its visitors to achieve it. Add Your Recommended Routes. Overnight camping is still allowed in the Desolation Wilderness and within 500 feet of the Pacific Crest Trail on the west shore of Lake Tahoe. Also consider avoiding the wilderness during high-use periods. Normal Season: Day users may obtain a free permit from the Placerville Ranger Station, or may issue themselves a permit at most major trailheads in the summer. IF the recreation area is open, at the junction by the stop sign, turn right and follow it to the end where you will find a parking lot. Smoke from this fire is currently drifting into Emerald Bay. pee-kerchief Toilet paper, small bottle Purell, and extra plastic bag for used TP Camp out among the grass and the gentians of glacier meadows, in craggy garden nooks." The trail continues uphill, but each time there is a break in the trees, you will see the massive mountains towering around you. NOTE: parking fee of 8 dollars. Requirements: This approximate 50-mile Backpacking trek follows the route: Loon Lake to Aloha to Fallen Leaf Lake to Echo Lakes, traveled in either direction. I had been wanting to visit Lake of The Woods in Desolation Wilderness ever since I hiked out to Lake Aloha back in early June 2015. Tahoe Rim Trail Association. This is sunrise at Maud Lake in Desolation Wilderness. by albanberg » Sun Jun 27, 2010 7:16 pm 2 Replies 1222 Views Last post by albanberg NowTown Network sites: RECOMMENDED ROUTE Difficult. The gate to access the Fiberboard Freeway is scheduled to be closed November 15-June 10. That said, Desolation Wilderness and the featured route hasn’t changed much since that time.