Desolation Wilderness is open year-round. 138 Emerald Bay Road, South Lake Tahoe, CA. At Echo Lakes there is a boat taxi operated in the summer by Echo Lakes Resort cuts three miles off your trip. The Pacific Crest Trail passes through the length of the wilderness, and its proximity to roads makes it one of the more easily accessible wildernesses in the Sierra. Please check with specific offices and websites for the most up to date information on the wilderness area you are planning to visit. More Information. This wilderness is also dog friendly, and overnight camping is free and easy to come by. This is a busy time, so plan ahead to make sure you can secure a permit. 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. Do not hitch, tether, or hobble a horse or other saddle or pack animal within 200 feet of a water source or within 100 feet of a campsite. Parking Fee are required in some areas. Both the 2,650 mile Pacific Crest Trail and the 165 mile Tahoe Rim Trail share an approximately 22 mile segment of absolutely stunning trail through this br… Water in the Sierra may be contaminated by Giardia lambia & Crytosporidium, which may cause illness. Ecology. Transporting firewood can move these pests to new locations. Desolation Wilderness is an alpine landscape scoured by ancient glaciers and punished over and over by heavy winds and snow. 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. This decision will be … Voice: (530) 543-2600 Desolation Wilderness is jointly administered by both the Eldorado National Forest and Lake Tahoe Basin Mgnt. The on-line service at www.recreation.gov allows wilderness visitors to make their reservations any time of the day seven days per week. Desolation Wilderness Permit offices are closed until further notice due to COVID-19 restrictions, but are offering services virtually. 35 College Drive South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150. Desolation Wilderness is jointly administered by both the Eldorado National Forest and Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit. TTY: (530) 543-0956 Signed up for a meet-up hike to watch the Perseid Meteor Shower. Area Status: Open. The Desolation Wilderness provides a home for many species of plants, fish and wildlife. Best time to hike is early July to mid August when snows are lightest and wildflowers are blooming. Desolation wilderness is not so desolate. The Wilderness is made up of fascinating glacially-carved granite, close to one hundred small crystal clear lakes, dozens of … Method of Travel - Travel is restricted to horseback or foot only. Gates to trailheads open around Memorial Day and close early October. The Desolation Wilderness is located just to the southwest of Lake Tahoe and north of Highway 50. Hours: Mon thru Fri Our scanners detect that you arrived on our site using Internet Explorer. Get in the loop on what to do, where to go, events not to miss and more. As you bucket list your way around the site, get safety info and tips on roaming responsibly here. Backpack to this secluded destination that's hidden from most of the traffic in Desolation Wilderness. Camp out among the grass and the gentians of glacier meadows, in craggy nooks.”. Moraine Trail. Permits are available only online via recreation.gov; paper permits are not being issued in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is scheduled to be open May 25 – November 15, 2021 depending on weather and other factors. THE LONELIEST FOOD IN AMERICA - Part 3: Austin, Middlegate + Fallon. Desolation permits continue to be available online and the area is open. Group Size - Maximum group size is 12 people for both day and overnight use. By continuing to use the site, you agree to our cookie policy. RECOMMENDED ROUTE Difficult. Phone: (530) 543-2600. Desolation Wilderness may be visited all year round, but most gates to trailheads are open from Memorial Day through October. When camping and backpacking, visitors are required to bury human waste, pack out all garbage, and practice all Leave No Trace methods. But trust us—you'll be glad you did! All means of mechanical transportation, including bicycles, carts, and snowmobiles, are prohibited in the wilderness. 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. Desolation Wilderness. Desolation Wilderness contains 100 square miles (63,960 acres) of gorgeous mountainous terrain on the southwest side of Lake Tahoe, above Emerald Bay. If you choose not to take the water taxi, add 5 miles to the overall trip. Elevation: 6,360'/6,410' Mileage (one-way):1 mile. Highlights : Amazing views of Lake Tahoe and the Desolation Wilderness, open fields full of mule's ears and other wild flowers, and a nice creek area. 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. Desolation Wilderness is open for foot traffic and equestrian use only—all means of mechanical transportation (including snowmobiles) will not be allowed. COVID-19: Please avoid visiting the wilderness if you are sick or experiencing COVID-19 symptoms. Add Your Recommended Routes. Have a wonderful trip! A call center, 1-877-444-6777, is available to assist with reservations daily from 7 AM – 9 PM in the summer and 7 AM to 7 PM in the winter. After the recent rainstorm there was water everywhere, including a series of waterfalls which were just off the east side of the trail. North of the pass, the Velma Lakes mark the trail’s entrance into a much drier and less Note that there are no food storage lockers at any Desolation Wilderness trailhead. It's bounded by logging roads and operations to the north and … Recommended Routes in Desolation Wilderness - 12 Hiking Project is built by hikers like you. Co-managed by the Eldorado National Forest and the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit. 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. Trailheads are accessible via Highway 50 on the west side and Highway 89 on the eastside. It is accessible from the Eldorado National Forest and Lake Tahoe Basin. South Shore Trails. Welcome to Desolation Wilderness, 63,960 acres of sub-alpine and alpine forest, granite peaks, and glacially-formed valleys and lakes. 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. 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 45 zones throughout Desolation Wilderness—visitors must choose a first night destination via this map. Easy marked dirt trail then on the granite there were stones lined along the way to … Garbage must be packed out. Reaching some of the famous Desolation Wilderness granite areas, the views open up to the east to show Silver Peak towering high above this area. Dogs can disturb other campers, get in fights with other dogs along the trail, and scare wildlife away. Because Desolation Wilderness is such a popular recreational area, human access is limited and certain activities are restricted within. 35 College Drive A fee is charged for this service. West side trailheads are all on the Eldorado National Forest and the east side trailheads are all on the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit. At waterfall camp, you'll have the opportunity to explore over 50 waterfalls. For more helpful information, be sure to get in touch with the USFS Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit at (530) 543-2600. There are fees for overnight camping year-round and a quota system is in place from May through October. Children 12 and under are free. I tried to tweet Stanislaus but got no response. Desolation Wilderness Permits and Maps For overnight backpacking in Desolation Wilderness, a permit is required. … 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, … Open Carry in National Forest I plan on backpacking for a two night trip in Desolation Wilderness starting at the Pyramid Creek Trailhead with a few friends. U.S. Forest Service This fee is waived for overnight permit holders by obtiaining a parking pass, which exempts you from this fee when you pick up your overnight permit. Desolation Wilderness is open for foot traffic and equestrian use only—all means of mechanical transportation (including snowmobiles) will not be allowed. The 63,000 acre Desolation Wilderness situated just West of Lake Tahoe is a hiker’s paradise. For a list of reservation, overnight wilderness and parking fees, click here. Stock - Livestock is limited to two livestock per person, or 12 livestock in one group. Desolation Wilderness Permits are issued through a quota system and can be reserved through recreation.gov up to six months in advance or in person at a … Elevations in Desolation Wilderness range from 5000 foot valley to 9000 foot peaks. Welcome to Desolation Wilderness, 63,960 acres of sub-alpine and alpine forest, granite peaks, and glacially-formed valleys and lakes. 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). Wheelchairs are allowed. https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/ltbmu/recarea/?recid=11786, Plague Warning: Taylor Creek Visitor Center, Tallac Site, Kiva Beach/Picnic Area, Recreational fires and charcoal banned in the Lake Tahoe/Truckee Region, Desolation Wilderness Recreation Opportunity Guide (ROG), Reservations are now made online by visiting. Travel Management: A Program for Motor Vehicle Route Designation. Stay on trails and do not shortcut switchbacks or create parallel ruts by walking alongside the trail. Here, in the high country above Lake Tahoe, only the hardiest trees grow, twisting in the gales to make a scene out of their survival. Required year-round for both day and overnight use. Contact the … Day use is open in the forest, although discouraged and even Yosemite is issuing wilderness permits. The Pacific Crest Trail is now closed along with Desolation Wilderness, both of which were able to stay open prior to today's announcement. Overnight wilderness permit fee is $5 per person for the first night and $10 per person for two or more nights up to 14 days (non-refundable). Please follow Leave No Trace camping guidelines and do not camp within 200 feet of water sources, including alpine lakes. Forest Supervisor's Office All the junctions are well signed, even on the lesser used trails. South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150 You are responsible for their actions as well as their welfare. 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