After the first, relatively flat fire road section you will climb out of the forest and toward Aloha Lake, an intensely beautiful body of water sitting at over 8,000 feet. Bears have become more active. Permits are available for advanced reservation six months in advance. Respect these sites and walk a different path! Â, Human and dog waste must be disposed of 200’ from water or trail in a cat hole 6-8 inches deep or packed out.Â, Practice Leave No Trace and pack out everything you pack in.Â, Washing with soap, including biodegradable soap, in a stream, lake or any other water source is prohibited.Â, Clean your cookware 200' from water sources. Â. If you have bad knees, you may not want to attempt this. Since passing South of Lake Aloha our Southbound route on the Tahoe to Yosemite Trail has pointed East-Southeast by the compass. Stumpy Meadows, as of June 10. In some places, barren granite contrasts with crystal blue lakes that are peppered throughout the park. Contact a Forest Service office for more information.Â. Lake and surroundings were still very snowy at the beginning of June this year. It’s about building relationships with the outdoors and each other. Recreation.gov is your gateway to explore America's outdoor Permit offices offering virtual services only until further notice. Not that Vicki and I had ever been there. Please respect the outdoors by practicing Leave No Trace. Eric, Rachael, and Caleb spend the weekend backpacking in S. Lake Tahoe. Outside of the quota season, permits can be booked and printed on the day of entry.Â, Your permit is available to print starting seven days in advance and up to the day of entry. PCT DAY 67: Mile 1091.5 – Mile 1098.9 Sunday June 19, 2016: 7.4 miles (11.8km) It was so hard to leave South Lake Tahoe today. Region: Lake Tahoe Distance: 12 Miles Elevation: 7,400 - 8,400 ft Vegetation: Pine Forest Last Visit: October 2019 The Lake Aloha basin is a truly unique piece of the Desolation Wilderness.In a broad, sparsely treed, rocky bowl surrounded by high peaks, there was once a collection of small interconnected lakes (the Medley Lakes) separated by a maze of low rocky ledges. The final day is a bit more grueling. Percent full 99.6%. Mileage 13.8 miles, total 126.6 miles. We arrived at the trailhead a bit before 11 and got our … Echo Lakes to Susie lake via Lake Aloha. Lake and surroundings were still very snowy at the beginning of June this year. Permits are required all year round and allows an individual or group (max. Last couple miles of hiking were all on snow. Secluded campsites. That being said, for both my trips last year, I used a 20 degree bag. High alpine forest. Tamarack Lake trail junction. You won't regret it. Start your free trial today–no credit card required. It is located west of Lake Tahoe and north of Highway 50 in California. 35 College Drive South Lake Tahoe CA 96150. Long recognized for its mountain splendor, Desolation Valley Primitive Area was established in 1931 and granted wilderness status in 1969. Desolation Wilderness Permit offices are closed until further notice due to COVID-19 restrictions, but are offering services virtually. Continuing around to the West side of the lake (opposite the trail) resulted in much less crowded camping. If you start at Echo Lake, there is a water taxi through Labor Day. Navigating this trail was much easier – there were plenty of boot prints to follow through the snow. It straddles the crest of the Sierra Nevada range, encompassing 63,690 acres, and has elevations ranging from 6,500 feet to nearly 10,000 feet.Lake Aloha is a feature of the wilderness area, with shallow, clear waters sitting in a wide, granite basin carved by glaciers in the most recent ice age. Of course I had seen from afar it from Pyramid Peak, which is one of the… A stream that is easy to cross in the morning may become impassible in the afternoon as snow melts. For updated conditions and trip planning information, visit our webpage links provided below. A quota limits the number of visitors to Desolation Wilderness between the Friday before Memorial Day to September 30th each year.Â, There are 45 destination zones designated with a maximum quota for the first night stay in each zone during the quota season.Â, During the off-quota season there is no limit to the number of overnight users in each zone (maximum group size still applies). Â, Twelve people is the maximum group size allowed together at any time in Desolation Wilderness.Â, Many destination zones have quota less than the maximum group size. Â, Camp at least 100’ from lakeshore, stream or trail.Â, There are camping restrictions for Special Management Areas to reduce impacts at popular lakes.Â, The designated campsites are marked with a tent symbol on a 4x4 post.Â, Only one permitted group is allowed at a designated site.Â, If designated campsites are taken when you arrive at your destination, locate your camp at least 500' from the lakeshore.Â, Restoration sites have been established to allow damaged shorelines and meadows a chance to recover from overuse. *Season is estimated for an average year but can vary from year to year (read June-Oct as "June through October") **Our Rating is out of a total of 10 (5 is "average") Name of Hike Middle Velma Lake to Tamarack Lake. June 29, 2018 July 2, 2018. The next day, follow the PCT until you see signs for Triangle Lake. Meeks Bay trail head to Lake Genevieve: 4.39 miles Plan your trip carefully. Â, Treat all water by boiling, using purification tablets or filtering.Â, Discharging a firearm is prohibited within 150 yards of a campsite, occupied area, or in any manner or location that places people or property at risk of injury. Â, Commercial use may be prohibited in wilderness and/or requires a special use permit. Typically completed as a three-day backpacking trip, the hike begins at the Fallen Leaf Lake (or Lily Lake) trailhead. Fees are charged as follows: Adult (over 12 years in age): $5 per person for the 1st night; $10 for 2-14 nights. You will descend 2,000 feet in less than 3 miles. Crowding was insane on the Southeast side of the lake; No way everybody had wilderness permits. The quota is based on 45 Destination Zones. After your first night, you may change locations for subsequent nights of your visit using the same permit, as long as you exit by the last date booked for your trip.Â, Permits can be reserved up to six months in advance of your day of entry. Snow Camping. We stayed in a hotel near the State Line and Heavenly Village. The clearest way into the Universe is through a forest wilderness- John Muir 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. Wake up as early as you can to tackle Black Rock Pass. ... From Lake Aloha, the trail left its shore on its eastern end and began a long slow climb up through pine forest. From Lake Aloha back to the Rockbound Trailhead (red). In the spring, melting snow can create hazardous conditions. During the winter months, most of the trailheads are covered by snow and are not accessible. I am particularly impressed by the depiction of Lake Aloha full during Spring above, agasinst how it looks during Fall on the 30 min Map.. Meeks Bay to Echo Summit. Visit the Ranger Station at Pollock Pines to reserve camping zones beforehand, and arrive early to guarantee a spot. June 4, 2018 By John Soares 8 Comments. However, the $6/permit reservation fee still applies. Desolation Wilderness: 3 Day Backpacking – Lake Aloha Continue reading "Desolation Wilderness: 3 Day Backpacking – Lake Aloha" June 4, 2019 April 29, 2020 But in early June, the walking along and above the lake was easy. Eventually, this gave way and, after passing turn offs for several lakes, we reached our destination, Tamarack Lake. Originally known as "Devil's Basin," Desolation Wilderness is a part of the El Dorado National Forest. The average price for real estate on Aloha Way is $93,314. Last couple miles of hiking were all on snow. Find incredible places and experiences that help you bring home a story through Bear proof food storage containers may be available for free rental. This day is short, so if you have the time, climb up to Keith's Dome to experience 360-degree views of Lake Tahoe, Lake Aloha, and the two Echo Lakes. Let's face it: Lake Tahoe is… Call local Forest Service offices for current conditions. All rights reserved. Recreation.gov! In others areas, red fir and lodgepole pine forests cover a multitude of trails that crisscross through the wilderness, the largest trail being the iconic Pacific Crest Trail. Campfires are not allowed within the area. At about 5 miles in, we hit the PCT/TRT. and cultural destinations in your zip code and across the country. Carefully review cancellation information before making reservations. Digital permit will be temporarily accepted during COVID-19. Lake of the Woods and Pyramid Peak. Lake Aloha still looked far away, but we were only a couple of miles from the shore. Read More. The Crystal Range is also within the area, with Pyramid Peak as the highest point both in the range and the wilderness, topping out at 9,987 feet. In 2016, I used a 32. Requirements may be different due to COVID. The system disperses visitors throughout the area, providing an opportunity for solitude and reflection. Day 1: We "hiked" by Boat across Echo Lake and then walked northbound on the PCT to Lake Aloha. Overnight Recreation Fee: There is a per person fee for a Desolation Wilderness Overnight Permit. We promise not to annoy you, but if you wish, you may unsubscribe at any time. LAKE ALOHA June 21, 2016. PENTAX Image Moto Camping. Swiss Alps.