cathedral lake desolation wilderness

The Desolation Wilderness is a 63,960-acre (258.8 km 2) federally protected wilderness area in the Eldorado National Forest and Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, in El Dorado County, California. Mount Tallac via Mount Tallac Trailhead. We can hike East .99 of a mile down to the West shore of Fallen Leaf Lake. Because this trip report is about 20 years old, I cannot remember if this took place on a weekend or not. At waterfall camp, you'll have the opportunity to explore over 50 waterfalls. Connects with trail to Electric Pass for 360* views of the Maroon-Bells/Snowmass Wilderness. 3) Mount Tallac (Cathedral Lake) Trail - In some circles, this is the "official" summer trail up Mount Tallac. Basics: Mount Tallac is a 10 mile hike (out and back) with approximately 3500 ft of elevation gain. Got that? Who: Allie, Miranda, Sarah, and me What: Backpacking When: 5/23/14-5/25/14 Where: Desolation Wilderness Mileage: 13.5 Elevation gain/loss: +1700ft/-1700ft More photos: here A different kind of trip for me—short distances, not much elevation gain, and a lot of great company. MAP, South Desolation Wilderness To preserve the wilderness condition, either camp in obviously already used sites, or camp 100 feet from the lakeside. MAP, 15 minute topographic backpacking Cathedral Lake in the Desolation Wilderness Along within this wonderful small lake the trail also passed by Floating Island Lake ... spectacular short hike. Difficulty: Easy. Accessibility: These trails are not designed to be handicapped accessible. Tallac. Desolation Wilderness' heavily used status and subsequent graffiti are a function of its close proximity to main roads and huge population centers, as well as the South Shore's now substantial population. Cathedral Lake via Mount Tallac Trailhead. A question I have started to think about ... Have you had enough of summer and can not wait to ... No gathering of the fossil clan is complete ... For all my climbing partners who have joked about ... Great memories in Desolation Wilderness ... Great hike into Desolation Wilderness ... A short section heading south from Barker Pass ... Cathedral Lake in the Desolation Wilderness, Semi-rest day on the side of Mount Tallac, Very runnable trail into the Desolation Wilderness. Like most lakes in Desolation Wilderness, American Lake is accessible from a variety of trailheads depending on where you want to start, desired mileage, and elevation gain/loss. GLEN ALPINE TRAILHEAD GIVES HISTORIC ACCESS TO DESOLATION WILDERNESS. Open campfires are not allowed. Near the top of the climb, it passes a spur trail to Lower Cathedral Lake (0.5 mile to lake). Enjoy the views and remember the lake, because it’ll look small as you hike up to Mount Tallac! Stop at Lower Cathedral Lake and sit on the granite banks enjoying the tranquil waters before heading up the trail to the truly epic view of Upper Cathedral Lake. Half Moon Lake, and Glen Alpine 2.59 miles from this Gilmore Lake trail junction, and after climbing just below the crest of Mount Tallac, the trail drops down to a trail junction North of Cathedral Lake above Fallen Leaf Lake. Route: Glen Alpine Trail Head -> Angora Peak -> Lake Aloha -> Heather Lake -> Susie Lake -> Gilmore Lake -> Mount Tallac -> Cathedral Lake -> Fallen Leaf Lake -> Glen Alpine Trail Head . The Desolation Wilderness region was established in 1899 as part of the Lake Tahoe Forest Reserve, according to the U.S. Forest Service. To reach Granite Lake in Desolation Wilderness, start at the Bayview trailhead near Emerald Bay at Lake Tahoe. 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. Hiking East from these Three Trail Junctions along the PCT-TYT. Although this hike can be done as a … The Echo Lakes Trail hike offers some of the most accessible trail into the Desolation Wilderness in its gentle rolling terrain along a portion of the Pacific Crest Trail. 4.59 miles past that point this road intersects with Highway 89. The trail follows the west side of Fallen Leaf Lake and you enter the Desolation Wilderness right before you reach Floating Island (there will be a large sign). A This may well be a suitable bailout point for the injured or hungry backpacker. Pro Tip: There is an island in the middle of the lake that you can swim to that makes for a great way to cool off in the hot summer months. To Mt. Pass                                                          South: Susie to Heather Lakes. Once we get the overall picture in focus we will se that Desolation Wilderness is full of scrambling routes. North: Dicks Moraine Trail. Details: Middle Velma Lake – Desolation Wilderness. Or about anything else in the wilderness. Beyond Cathedral Lake, the trail becomes steep and strenuous as it continues up the front face of Mount Tallac. The reserve’s vast alpine forest is the perfect backdrop for outdoor adventure. Most who have visited Lake Tahoe have heard of Mount Tallac, or at the very least, have laid their eyes on it. As the title states, this is a great way to get started hiking in Desolation Wilderness. These trail junctions are important for local backpackers. These Southern and Northern junctions arm are what forms up on the terrain when we have lots of backpackers branching North and South a a trail "T." The traffic turns a trail "T" turns into a trail "Y.". Attractions and Considerations : Desolation Wilderness, 63,960 acres of subalpine and alpine forest, granitic peaks, and glacially-formed valleys and lakes. Tallac Trailhead. The 30 minute Southern Desolation Wilderness Backpacking Map lays out our hiking options to the Northeast and Southeast into and out of the Desolation Wilderness through these Tallac, Cathedral Lake, and Glen Alpine Trailheads. Continuing North on Spring Creek Road it is another 2.92 miles to Highway 89, making the total distance from the Gilmore Lake trail junction on the Tahoe to Yosemite Trail to Highway 89 at 7.71 miles. The Glen Alpine trail is a relatively gradual climb and distance makes for a great day hike. I think it was a weekend trip which made the overcrowding issue worse. Stunning display of Aspens in the fall. The first part of the trail to Floating Island and Cathedral Lakes is easy to moderate and can be enjoyed by the novice hiker. I accessed this lake via the Bayview trailhead on a heavy snow year (2017). Susie to Heather Lakes, Susie Lake The Southbound backpacker on the Tahoe to Yosemite Trail continues straight through this junction. In the Eldorodo National Forest near Fallen Leaf Lake (also close th Lake Tahoe) California The Desolation Trail is a good entry point for backpacking trips across the 30 mile length of the Desolation Wilderness. Forest trail losing elevation. Above: PCT emblem burned onto the trail junction post. No Comments. Here in Desolation Wilderness we saw the branded trail post. No fee. 15 minute topographic backpacking Below find the closest Ground Stations, Point and Regional Forecasts along the West shore of Lake Tahoe. Food, injury, illness, and broken gear are the common motivations for bailing out of the Wilderness. This is the Glen Alpine/Half Moon and Alta Morris Lake Junction. MAP, Cathedral Lake to West shore Fallen Leaf Lake: .99 mile, Gilmore to Cathedral Lake Road: 4.35 miles, Gilmore to Fallen Leaf Lake Road: 3.92 miles, Gilmore Lake Trail Junction One of the strangest things I will never get used to is people carving their initials, and other ignorant graffiti, on trail posts. The Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit permits page has bunches of great information about Desolation Wilderness, Desolation Wilderness rules and quotas, and of course links to the Desolation Wilderness online Permit System, and about everything I can find to help you operate it. Desolation Wilderness, Ca – Pyramid Creek is best known for its 500 ft cascade down horsetail falls off HWY 50 at Twin Bridges as you leave Lake Tahoe Basin back towards Sacramento. The Desolation Wilderness is located just to the southwest of Lake Tahoe and north of Highway 50. Backpack to this secluded destination that's hidden from most of the traffic in Desolation Wilderness. Books I Am Reading. Maggie’s Peaks to Azure Lake, Desolation Wilderness. Tallac, Cathedral Lake, and on to Fallen Leaf Lake and the Tallac Trailheads along Highway 89. Cathedral Lake is a lake inside of John Muir Wilderness. These "side trails" along our primary route all access stunningly beautiful locations and open up the options for short backpacking trips as well as long loops around Desolation Wilderness made by hooking up to various lengths of the main Pacific Crest-Tahoe to Yosemite Trail route that runs through the middle of Desolation Wilderness from North to South. Here in Desolation Wilderness we have seen a few unique bits of trail-sign culture. Hiking Trails (8) 1. Please limit group sizes in order to preserve the solitude and wilderness experiences for all (maximum size is 12 people). Entering the Desolation wilderness en route to Lake Aloha. ... Cathedral Lake. Above: Sign pointing North to the Half Moon trail junction. What to bring: Lots of water, food, layers, sunscreen, sturdy hiking shoes and a camera. to the The trail to Crag Lake starts on a dirt road and stays flat for the first 1.6 miles. I've also included advice for drawing a permit for the Tahoe to Yosemite Trail. Satellite, All A Left turn North for Southbound backpackers. Though this trail guide does not depict these trails in detail yet, the mileages from their trail junctions on the main PCT-TYT route to their trail heads are included for many of them. The Desolation Wilderness is a 63,960-acre (258.8 km2) federally protected wilderness area in the Eldorado National Forest and Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, in El Dorado County, California. It is a .77 mile hike North to the end of the Cathedral Road on the Northwest side of Fallen Leaf Lake or .34 of a mile South to the end of Fallen Leaf Lake Road on the Southwest corner of Fallen Leaf Lake. Floating Island and Cathedral Lakes Trail is a 5.5 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near South Lake Tahoe, California that features a lake and is rated as moderate. MAP, The Triple Trail Junctions between Dicks Pass and Susie Lake, Your guide to the High Sierra Crest, including the Tahoe to Yosemite, Pacific Crest, and John Muir Trails, © Lake Tahoe to Mount Whitney: Crown Jewel of the Pacific Crest Trail, Southern Desolation Wilderness Backpacking Map, Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit permits page, This map identifies some of my favorite resources and trail heads around South Lake Tahoe. Directions: The trailhead is located approximately 3-1/2 miles north of South Lake Tahoe on Highway 89. The one trail West from these junctions South of Dicks Pass dead ends at Alta Morris Lake after passing around Half Moon Lake. Download its GPS track and follow the itinerary on a map. Great weekend trip to a pair of fabulous lakes near Lake Tahoe; Lake Aloha, Desolation Wilderness, El Dorado Co. . The crest of the Sierra Nevada runs through it, just west of Lake Tahoe. The Trailhead is a paved parking that gives visitors direct access via rock road to the Historic Glen Alpine Spring Resort. Leave No Trace. Posted by Hock at 5:32 AM. But, the Gilmore Lake trail takes us almost up to the top of Mount Tallac over 9440 feet of elevation on our way over to Cathedral Lake, over one of the highest peaks in the region. ... Cathedral Lake and Floating Island Lake. September 22, 2014 by TahoeMarmot in Day Hikes, Desolation Wilderness, Out and Back, West Shore and tagged Azure Lake, Eagle Lake, Fallen Leaf Lake, Granite Lake, Maggie Peaks. The Half Moon Lake trail junction is the next junction to the North. Rising above the southwest shore of the lake, Mount Tallac is part of Desolation Wilderness and the tallest mountain on the lake's immediate shoreline. It is located west of Lake Tahoe and north of Highway 50 in El Dorado County. 15 minute topographic backpacking I made my checklist – tent, pots, Bearikade container filled with three days worth of food — and scrutinized each item for its weight. Hiking Topo Map: Phipps Pass to Susie Lake       Hiking Topo Map: Phipps Pass to Susie Lake, Next page You have to zoom the map in a little to view details of the locations where the trail heads are located along Highway 89. NWS Regional Forecast; Greater Lake Tahoe, NWS Regional Forecast: West Slope Sierra Tahoe to Yosemite, North California 17-nov-2013 - June Snowfall @ Cathedral Lake, Desolation Wilderness Area, Lake Tahoe, CA, by Midland05, via Flickr Site: Lake Tahoe and the Desolation Wilderness Location: On the border of Central California and Western Nevada; about two hours east of Sacraments Places to See: Truckee River, Emerald Bay, Vikingsholm, Lower Eagle Falls, the five lakes loop (Granite, Dick’s, Fontanillis, Velmas, and Eagle), Heavenly Ski Resort Cool Factor (1-5): 4.5 (It is hard to beat high mountain lakes!) Great Intro hike into Desolation Wilderness. Both of these two trails heading Southeast from these two junctions merge together a short distance East of their respective junctions. Trail Guide United States › California › Desolation Wilderness › ... Overview. Half Moon Lake to the West, Southbound Left, or Southeast, Weather, Backpacking We encounter the next junction in this series of three trail junctions, the middle one, hiking .59 of a mile South of the Gilmore Lake Junction. Meeks Bay is located on the south western shore of Lake Tahoe, California. Fontanillis & Dicks Lakes, Desolation Wilderness, El Dorado Co. . Note that these miles cited above and below include hiking over the 9735 foot Mount Tallac. Cathedral Lake in the Desolation Wilderness Along within this wonderful small lake the trail also passed by Floating Island Lake ... spectacular short hike. Southeast, Left or East, towards the Southwest shore of Fallen Leaf Lake via Glen Alpine, The third trail junction South of Dicks Pass is the Southern trail junction Southeast to Glen Alpine. The hike to Grass Lake, which starts at Lily Lake, is a mere two miles along the Glen Alpine Trail. The Half Moon Lake notation on the trail post here is pointing North up the PCT-TYT towards the next of and middle of these three junction, which is where the Half Moon trail parts to the West, left for the Northbound backpacker. Just southwest of Lake Tahoe, this 63,960-acre reserve is chock full of opportunities for activities you and your family are sure to enjoy. A little while later, I was descending through the thin woods, following some random footprints. Southbound Hiker's Right, or Northwest, 2nd Trail Junction Once motorists started making their way over Echo and Donner summits, the land became part of the newly formed Eldorado National Forest. DIFFICULT 4.5 mi. Actually, I hadn't been backpacking since doing the West Coast Trail last July. These three trail junctions leading to two distinct exits from the center of Desolation Wilderness give us another set of options for local and long backpacking backing trips into and around Desolation Wilderness, rather than hiking across its full length, as we are. The Grand in a day ... two or even three times! From that topo map we can click the red dots along the trail route to see that location's trail guide entry. This set of trailheads into Desolation Wilderness are located South of the Eagle Falls and Bayview Trailheads along Highway 89. Looking Southeast across Crag Lake at Peak 9054.. Hidden Lake sits at the base of the rock terrain rising up to Peak 9054.. The crest of the Sierra Nevada runs through it, just west of Lake Tahoe. Gilmore Lake to the North The Glen Alpine Trail tracks East (Southbound hiker Left) off of our Pacific Crest-Tahoe to Yosemite Trail route to the road on the Western edge of Fallen Leaf Lake located 3.83 miles to the Southeast of this junction. Providing a spectacular view of Fallen Leaf Lake, Lake Tahoe, and Desolation Wilderness, this strenuous hike is well worth the effort. Brand your Ass! From Left Eric, Ken, Eric, T, Phil, John, Rob, Scott and Karl : Santa Clara, CA - This set of photos come from my first backpacking trip of the year, July 14th to July 18th, 2011. The Glen Alpine trail avoids climbing Mt. Beyond Cathedral Lake, the trail be-comes steep and strenuous as it continues up the front face of Mt. CAMPFIRES/CHARCOAL ARE PROHIBITED IN DESOLATION WILDERNESS in order to reduce human … These are excellent trailhead from where we can pretty quickly access various terrain features in the Desolation Wilderness. To reach Crag Lake, park at the Meeks Bay Trailhead. 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