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Desolation Wilderness

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Gems in Desolation Wilderness - 1

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gem Favorite Ropi Lake Sunset

Ropi Lake

(4) South L…, CA

Recommended Routes in Desolation Wilderness - 4

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Favorite Pyramid Peak with Lake Aloha in the foreground.
Intermediate Intermediate

Echo Lakes to Lake Aloha

12.8 mi 20.7 km 1,434' Up 437.09 m Up 1,436' Down 437.71 m Down

South L…, CA
Explore in 3D
Favorite Stream crossings during extremely high water level period. Waterfall flowed down from Peak 8417 and flooded forest.
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

Horsetail Falls

3.3 mi 5.3 km 646' Up 196.81 m Up 645' Down 196.71 m Down

South L…, CA
Explore in 3D
Favorite Love Mt. Ralston, 90% dirt trail, lots of shade, well marked and maintained route. Lots of back for the buck on this hike a  surprisingly spectacular view. You won't be disappointed.
Difficult Difficult

Ralston Peak

5.7 mi 9.1 km 2,560' Up 780.34 m Up 2,560' Down 780.18 m Down

South L…, CA
Explore in 3D
Favorite Sunset at Leland Lakes
Difficult Difficult

China Flat to Leland Lakes

8.3 mi 13.4 km 1,424' Up 434.18 m Up 785' Down 239.28 m Down

South L…, CA
Explore in 3D

Desolation Wilderness Hiking

  • 138 Miles 222 Kilometers of Trail
  • 4 Recommended Routes
  • 1 Gem Gems
  • 1 Easy Trail Easy Trails
  • 22 Intermediate Trails Intermediate Trails
  • 8 Difficult Trails Difficult Trails
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Trails in Desolation Wilderness - 27

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65.2 mi 104.9 km #1PCT: Echo Lake to Highway 80 (Donner Summit)
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
South Lake Tahoe, CA
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
South Lake Tahoe, CA
2.4 mi 3.9 km #2Lake of the Woods Trail (#17E11)
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
South Lake Tahoe, CA
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
South Lake Tahoe, CA
32.8 mi 52.9 km #3TRT: Echo Lakes to Barker Pass
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
South Lake Tahoe, CA
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
South Lake Tahoe, CA
4.7 mi 7.5 km #4Ralston Peak Trail (17E41)
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
South Lake Tahoe, CA
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
South Lake Tahoe, CA
0.7 mi 1.2 km #5Pyramid Creek Trail
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
South Lake Tahoe, CA
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
South Lake Tahoe, CA
1.3 mi 2.1 km #6Pyramid Creek Loop Trail
Intermediate Intermediate
South Lake Tahoe, CA
Intermediate Intermediate
South Lake Tahoe, CA
1.6 mi 2.6 km #7Grouse Lake Trail #16E01
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
South Lake Tahoe, CA
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
South Lake Tahoe, CA
1.1 mi 1.7 km #8Glen Alpine Trail Spur
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
South Lake Tahoe, CA
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
South Lake Tahoe, CA
0.2 mi 0.4 km #9Maggie's Peak Summit Spur
Difficult Difficult
South Lake Tahoe, CA
Difficult Difficult
South Lake Tahoe, CA
0.5 mi 0.9 km #10Lyons Lake to Smith Lake Viewpoint
Very Difficult Very Difficult
South Lake Tahoe, CA
Very Difficult Very Difficult
South Lake Tahoe, CA

Photos of Desolation Wilderness - 183

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Lake Tahoe from Mt. Tallac
Oct 28, 2015 near South L…, CA
The final scramble up Pyramid Peak is a doozy.
Jan 8, 2017 near South L…, CA
Pyramid Peak with Lake Aloha in the foreground.
Sep 10, 2017 near South L…, CA
Stream crossings during extremely high water level period. Waterfall flowed down from Peak 8417 and flooded forest.
Apr 8, 2018 near South L…, CA
View of Sierra at Tahoe from the top
Nov 13, 2018 near South L…, CA
Spectacular view and you might see two or three others.
Aug 8, 2019 near South L…, CA
Top of Mount Tallac. One of my all-time favorites. Spectacular view I think it's the best in the Tahoe basin
Aug 8, 2019 near South L…, CA
Love Mt. Ralston, 90% dirt trail, lots of shade, well marked and maintained route. Lots of back for the buck on this hike a  surprisingly spectacular view. You won't be disappointed.
Aug 18, 2019 near South L…, CA

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