Our scanners detect that you arrived on our site using Internet Explorer. At Echo Lakes there is a boat taxi operated in the summer by Echo Lakes Resort cuts three miles off your trip. Desolation wilderness is not so desolate. West Side Trailheads include Loon Lake Trailhead, Buck Island Trailhead, Van Vleck Trailhead, Rockbound Trailhead, Twin Lakes Trailhead, Lyons Trailhead, Pyramid Creek (Twin Bridges) Trailhead, Ralston Trailhead, Echo Trailhead. Desolation Wilderness is open for foot traffic and equestrian use only—all means of mechanical transportation (including snowmobiles) will not be allowed. Camp out among the grass and the gentians of glacier meadows, in craggy nooks.”. While many California parks can be full of visitors, Desolation Wilderness truly lives up to its name, giving visitors the freeing feeling of being out in the wild. 138 Emerald Bay Road, South Lake Tahoe, CA. Recommended Routes in Desolation Wilderness - 12 Hiking Project is built by hikers like you. Elevations in Desolation Wilderness range from 5000 foot valley to 9000 foot peaks. Overnight permits can be booked online via Recreation.gov and 100% of the quota will be available for advanced reservations. U.S. Forest Service “Walk away quietly in any direction and taste the freedom of the mountaineer. Desolation Wilderness. Group Size - Maximum group size is 12 people for both day and overnight use. It is located west of Lake Tahoe and north of Highway 50 in El Dorado County. Phone: (530) 543-2600. Contact the … Desolation Wilderness Permit offices are closed until further notice due to COVID-19 restrictions, but are offering services virtually. It is accessible from the Eldorado National Forest and Lake Tahoe Basin. July and early August is an excellent time to see wildflowers blooming. It's bounded by logging roads and operations to the north and … 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). Voice: (530) 543-2600 South Shore Trails. Signed up for a meet-up hike to watch the Perseid Meteor Shower. Desolation Wilderness is jointly administered by both the Eldorado National Forest and Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit. … I tried to tweet Stanislaus but got no response. Welcome to Desolation Wilderness, 63,960 acres of sub-alpine and alpine forest, granite peaks, and glacially-formed valleys and lakes. Nestled on the western edge of Lake Tahoe along the Tahoe Rim Trail, Desolation Wilderness is a hiker and backpacker’s paradise, brimming with thousands of natural wonders that have been protected for more than 120 years. Water in the Sierra may be contaminated by Giardia lambia & Crytosporidium, which may cause illness. Trailheads are accessible via Highway 50 on the west side and Highway 89 on the eastside. Campfires and the use of charcoal are prohibited in Desolation Wilderness, though your wilderness permit also serves as your campfire permit for gas stove use only. Required year-round for both day and overnight use. The El Dorado County leash laws are enforced inside the Wilderness boundary as dogs off leash can be an impediment and/or hazard to the safety of hikers, and to prevent dogs from harassing or molesting wildlife. Method of Travel - Travel is restricted to horseback or foot only. 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, … Permits are available only online via recreation.gov; paper permits are not being issued in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. All the junctions are well signed, even on the lesser used trails. Desolation permits continue to be available online and the area is open. THE LONELIEST FOOD IN AMERICA - Part 3: Austin, Middlegate + Fallon. The majority of Desolation’s roughly 80 named lakes are within a day hike from any trailhead, with ample vistas of sharp granite peaks, lush meadows, and old growth forest in abundance. When camping and backpacking, visitors are required to bury human waste, pack out all garbage, and practice all Leave No Trace methods. Waste - Visitors are required to bury human waste 6 to 8 inches deep and at least 200 feet away from water, trails, and campsites. Ecology. Toilet paper must be buried or packed out. Because Desolation Wilderness is such a popular recreational area, human access is limited and certain activities are restricted within. Transporting firewood can move these pests to new locations. Parking Fee are required in some areas. Elevation: 6,360'/6,410' Mileage (one-way):1 mile. This wilderness is also dog friendly, and overnight camping is free and easy to come by. TTY: (530) 543-0956 Forest Service Home | USDA.gov | recreation.gov | Recreation Customer Service Standards | USA.gov | Whitehouse.gov, Plug-Ins | FOIA | Accessibility Statement | Privacy Policy | Important Notices | Information Quality. Desolation Wilderness is open year-round. Get in the loop on what to do, where to go, events not to miss and more. The on-line service at www.recreation.gov allows wilderness visitors to make their reservations any time of the day seven days per week. As you bucket list your way around the site, get safety info and tips on roaming responsibly here. Desolation Wilderness satisfies intermediate and advanced hikers, though sections of some East Side hikes listed below also make for great beginner hikes, too. Backpack to this secluded destination that's hidden from most of the traffic in Desolation Wilderness. The Desolation Wilderness provides a home for many species of plants, fish and wildlife. We recommend returning on any other browser. Co-managed by the Eldorado National Forest and the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit. By continuing to use the site, you agree to our cookie policy. Be aware that firewood can harbor insects and diseases that threaten valuable forest resources. Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit I would recommend bringing Tom Harrison’s map of Desolation Wilderness. This decision will be … Difficulty: Easy. 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. There are two types of overnight permits for Desolation Wilderness – A regular Desolation Wilderness Permit and a TRT Thru-Hike Permit. Hours: Mon thru Fri This is a busy time, so plan ahead to make sure you can secure a permit. Add Your Recommended Routes. Welcome to Desolation Wilderness, 63,960 acres of sub-alpine and alpine forest, granite peaks, and glacially-formed valleys and lakes. Domeland Wilderness, Sequoia National Forest and Bureau of Land Management Things can change quickly in the wilderness! Please check with specific offices and websites for the most up to date information on the wilderness area you are planning to visit. The 63,000 acre Desolation Wilderness situated just West of Lake Tahoe is a hiker’s paradise. Area Status: Open. 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. Travel Management: A Program for Motor Vehicle Route Designation. Pets - Domestic pets are allowed in the Desolation Wilderness at this time. Though Desolation Wilderness is spectacularly scenic any time of year, the best window for access is during mid summer through early fall. 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