Here’s What Visitors Need to Know—and Why Your Voice Matters. For more than 14 years, I’ve had the privilege of exploring and covering the Sierra Nevada. During that time, I’ve watched parking lots fill earlier each season, permit systems expand, and trailheads become busier than I ever imagined. I’ve also watched volunteers, rangers, nonprofit organizations … Read more
Navigating the Sierra Nevada Shoulder Season The snow line is retreating, waterfalls are thundering at their peak volume, and the high country remains locked in winter’s grip. This is spring in the Sierra Nevada: a season of contradictions that rewards hikers willing to work within its constraints. Finding the best spring wilderness hikes in the … Read more
Every year I find myself coming back to Desolation Wilderness, studying the map and picking out a few hikes I haven’t done—or ones I want to experience again. With 2026 shaping up as a low snow year, access is going to come earlier, which opens the door to those classic granite basins and clear alpine … Read more
This week on the Sierra Rec Now Podcast, we welcome back returning guest Paul Wagner — author, blogger at BackpackingSierra.com, and longtime volunteer for multiple wilderness areas across the Sierra Nevada. Paul joins host Charlie Pankey for a wide-ranging conversation about backpacking adventures, trail stewardship, volunteering in Desolation Wilderness, and hidden gems in the Sierra … Read more
By Sierra Rec Magazine Staff | August 7, 2025 Lake Tahoe, CA/NV — Trail lovers, rejoice! Just one week into August, the Tahoe Rim Trail Association (TRTA) has already hit its $15,000 fundraising goal for its annual “Raise the Rim” campaign—and the momentum is still building. “This early success is a testament to how much … Read more
Exploring the Sierra with Nikki Umatum: Founder of Venturing Out Guide Service The Sierra Nevada is home to countless outdoor enthusiasts, but few bring as much heart and passion to their adventures as Nicole Umatum. Nikki, the founder of Venturing Out Guide Service in Truckee, California, joined us this week on the Sierra Rec Now … Read more
An introductory note to the reader:In a previous issue of Sierra REC published last year, I wrote an article entitled: Desolation Wilderness Lake Name Origins. At the conclusion of the article, I said I would write a follow-up article in a future issue about the naming of Lake Aloha. Here it is: Considering the way … Read more
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif., April 1, 2024 – Do you love Desolation Wilderness? Can you help preserve this special place of breathtaking beauty and keep it wild? Would you enjoy doing something meaningful by joining volunteers who spend time “giving back” to ensure this unique area will remain special? The USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management … Read more
Are you planning your 2024 adventures near Lake Tahoe? Michael Weindel, Regional Photographer and friend of Sierra Rec Magazine, recently shared a unique day hike loop involving Mt. Tallac, Dicks Pass and Fallen Leaf Lake that is worth exploring. Especially if you like the challenge of vertical accents and taking a path that few others … Read more
A Challenging Desolation Wilderness Adventure Why do I do this to myself? I’m tired and cold. Who gets up at 5 am on a Sunday to drag themselves up a mountain, especially when that mountain was being blanketed in snow as I prepared for this journey?The Bayview Trailhead has led me to Maggie’s Peak several … Read more
Nonprofit is doubling all donations up to $50,000 for repairs on 19 miles of highly trafficked trail TAHOE CITY, Calif. (July 12, 2023) – Nineteen miles of trail that travel through Desolation Wilderness from Echo Lakes to Lake Aloha are in desperate need of extensive restoration work due to high use, erosion, and extreme weather events. … Read more
Fourth of July Weekend Hike or Backpacking trips should be altered Desolation Wilderness , Lake Tahoe – June 2, 2023 – Today represented my first day in Desolation wilderness for 2023 hiking season. So I headed to familiar territory and hiked in on the Echo Lake Trail towards Lake Aloha. From Echo lake it is … Read more
Ropi Lake Desolation Wilderness by Charlie Pankey
Desolation volunteers train and prep for a Late and Wet season in back country South Lake Tahoe – May 22, 2023 – This past Saturday over 50 volunteers of Desolation Wilderness gathered in South Lake Tahoe for an annual training and season overview with the authorities at Lake Tahoe Basin Management and Eldorado National forest. … Read more
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif., May 4, 2023 – Do you love Desolation Wilderness? Can you help preserve this special place of breathtaking beauty and keep it wild? Would you enjoy doing something meaningful by joining volunteers who spend time “giving back” to ensure this unique area will remain special? The USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management … Read more
My Favorite Sierra Wilderness Lake — By Bill Finch When I began hiking in the Sierras, primarily in Desolation Wilderness, my thoughts of what lay “beyond the next ridge” or “around the next turn” were exciting incentives to see what was ahead. My pursuit of new discoveries was always rewarded. I could gaze at a … Read more
A Cancerous Growth on a Pine Tree? There are stranger things in the wilderness than what the mind can imagine in the darkness of night. And this is a real thing.On one of my hikes some years ago towards Island Lake, I spotted a strange clump of gnarly stuff clinging to the trunk of a … Read more
Hidden Treasures of Twin Lakes Trail in Desolation Wilderness I have a story to warm the hearts of the most avid hikers as well as the first-time novice hikers entering the DesolationWilderness. By way of introduction … To set the stage … In the later part of my life … after my retirement, I began … Read more
Everybody I know who loves to hike in Desolation Wilderness comes to have an up-close personal relationship experience with the awesome natural surroundings of the wilderness. In other words, they come to immerse themselves in the presence of the mountains, the bare granite expanses, the streams, the lakes, and the beautiful flora found everywhere. Most … Read more
One of the most popular adventures people look forward to when visiting the Lake Tahoe region is having a mountain hiking experience in the awesome Desolation Wilderness, which, I hasten to add, is their wilderness! And yours too! Your personal wilderness experience can be realized by day-hiking along the wilderness trails or overnight camping … Read more
A Favorite Westside Entry Point into Desolation Wilderness Desolation Wilderness – Trail reports – July 2022 – This one trailhead opens up a world of wilderness resources you can experience that will enliven your spirit, soothe your soul, and recharge your life force. The wilderness resources you’ll see along the Twin Lakes trail include granite … Read more
Bear Proof Your Next Desolation Wilderness Visit Desolation Wilderness – July 13, 2022 – To be clear bear proof canisters have been suggested or highly recommended for sometime by the National forest Service when visiting Desolation wilderness. But, just as fire have been banned for over 20 years and people still create fires in Desolation. … Read more
Wilderness – Lake Tahoe has so much to offer all year round, but the summer season is off the hook. Do I spend the day in the water, on a beach, on the course of in the mountains? For me, I choose Wilderness 99% of the time. Why? Because in Lake Tahoe basin, there are … Read more
How to Best Ensure You are Not sharing Your Food With Bears in Desolation Desolation Wilderness – Backpackers flock to Desolation Wilderness Spring thru till winter. There really are few places like it on earth. Over generations of use however many things have changed in desolation wilderness. What was once acceptable has become illegal and … Read more
Desolation Wilderness Access Increases Starting Today PLACERVILLE, Calif. , October 15, 2021 – The Caldor Fire Closure Area on the Eldorado National Forest will be reduced beginning Friday, October 15 now that fire containment has increased, weather has moderated and some areas of fire suppression repair and hazard tree removal have been completed. Also beginning Friday, camping … Read more
Caples Lake and Desolation Wilderness Focused on Stopping hot spots South Lake Tahoe – September 5, 2021 – Caldor fire Morning Update Acres burned: 215,400 Containment: 43%: The fire grew by 1,288 acres overnight, for a total increase of 1,293 acres over the past 24 hours. Containment remains at 43% this morning. Hotspots near Caples Lake … Read more
Desolation Wilderness, Meiss Country, Barker Pass and McKinney/Rubicon are all Temporarily closed to visitors because of the fire danger until Sept. 19th. The closure is in effect from Aug 19 to Sep 19, 2021. View the closure order at https://go.usa.gov/xF7RS #CaldorFire Add onto this the National forest is closed from Hwy 88 North through most … Read more
PLACERVILLE, Calif. – With record breaking drought conditions causing extremely low fuel moistures, the Eldorado National Forest is increasing its fire restrictions to a forestwide campfire ban, beginning Monday, July 26, 2021. No wood or charcoal fires will be allowed anywhere in the forest under these new restrictions. The restrictions apply to all campgrounds, developed sites, … Read more
Exploring Desolation Wilderness: Backpacking Near Tahoe at the Enchanting Desolation Lake As the winter snow melts away, my heart fills with excitement as I plan my annual backpacking adventure in the picturesque landscapes of Desolation Wilderness. Among my list of must-visit places, one gem stands out, capturing the essence of backpacking and nature’s untouched beauty … Read more
Back to Nature ~ Here our our picks for 7 Great Family Hikes for Kids on the Eastside of the Sierra For the past 6 years of producing Sierra Rec Magazine online, the number one question i get from friends and readers is, “Where is a Good Place to Take my Kids Hiking?” We’ll today … Read more
For my 51st Birthday I share with you today 51 of my favorite Sierra Locations through the Images I have taken. In no order as that would just make me think way to hard. Hope you enjoy! Hope you enjoyed my 51 favorite images for my 51st birthday. Wonder what great locations will make my … Read more
PCT ADVENTURES FOR TAHOE GUESTS Are you planning a visit to Lake Tahoe this summer? Seeking a Pacific Crest Trail Adventure in the Tahoe area that won’t break the bank or require you to quit your job and get really extreme? The PCT trail has obviously gained some popularity since the movie “Wild” showed in … Read more
GLEN ALPINE TRAILHEAD GIVES HISTORIC ACCESS TO DESOLATION WILDERNESS Desolation Wilderness Trails – Glen alpine trailhead is located at Lilly Lake approx a mile behind Fallen Leaf lake. The Trailhead is a paved parking that gives visitors direct access via rock road to the Historic Glen Alpine Spring Resort. Desolation Wilderness Access from this trailhead … Read more
Lake Tahoe Basin Mgmt Unit Seeking hard-working, dedicated volunteers who love working outdoors, educating wilderness visitors SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – Do you love the wilderness? Are you committed to preserving its’ breathtaking beauty? Do you love working with people and spending time in the outdoors? Can you match your motive for volunteering with the mission … Read more
Go Off Trail And Explore This Stunning Chain of Lakes Near Lake Tahoe Desolation Wilderness, Ca – Desolation Wilderness whispers with hidden wonders, and Pyramid Creek stands as its vibrant artery. While Horsetail Falls’ fiery cascade steals the show from Highway 50, a chain of pristine lakes awaits those willing to delve deeper. This revised … Read more
Welcome to Sierra Rec Magazines Photo gallery of the lakes and trails of Desolation wilderness. Photos of Susie Lake, Avalanche Lake, Ropi Lake, Lake Aloha, Dicks Lake, The Velmas, gilmore Lake, and more.
Five Lakes worth hiking to out of Meeks Bay into Desolation Wilderness
Summer Backpacking near Lake Tahoe has many options. The opportunity to backpack on the PCT into Desolation Wilderness is by far the most sought after experience for hikers in Lake Tahoe basin. Backpacking into Desolation Wilderness provides visitors and locals alike a simple well earned separation from the bulk of the crowds. Staying on the … Read more
