Hiking Horsetail Falls, Desolation Wilderness, CA: Sunshine, Scrambling, Swimming Holes, and Storms Report from August 18, 2023 75ish degrees and partly cloudy is the perfect hike-to-swim weather here at high elevation. We decided a 4+ mile out-and-back hike to Horsetail Falls, CA, would be a great way to spend our day off of work. After a short, 30 minute drive from South Lake Tahoe to just past Sierra at Tahoe Ski Resort, […] John Cunningham | August 21, 2023 0 Comments
Desolation Wilderness, CA, Report – Still Lots of Snow in the High Country Report from July 11th, 2023, and written by USFS Wilderness Ranger, Aaron Coy We patrolled the high country last weekend, and there is still a lot of snow! Stony Ridge is melted out, but the trail has patchy snow drifts up to 10 feet high. Rubicon Lake was partially thawed, and all of the Velma’s are thawed with large drifts […] Conditions Report Guest Author | July 14, 2023 0 Comments
Campaign Launched For Major Trail Restoration Work in Desolation Wilderness, CA 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. To address this critical need, the nonprofit Tahoe Fund is partnering with the Tahoe Rim Trail Association to launch a $50,000 […] SnowBrains | July 11, 2023 0 Comments
Desolation Wilderness Update: PCT is Clear from Echo Trailhead to Haypress Meadows | Blocked by 8-Foot Drifts Beyond There… On June 26-28th Desolation Wilderness Rangers hiked from Echo Trailhead to Aloha Lake. PCT is clear of snow from Echo trailhead to Haypress Meadows. Once you hit Haypress Meadows the trail is obscured by snow with up to 8-foot snow drifts to Lake Aloha. The snow is punchy and makes it hard to follow the PCT. Trekking poles and good […] Conditions Report SnowBrains | July 3, 2019 0 Comments
Helicopter Rescue for Sacramento Woman and Her Dog Who Spent the Night in Desolation Wilderness, CA A missing hiker and her dog were airlifted out of Desolation Wilderness, CA after spending a cold night in a remote area, according to authorities. The hiker, a Sacramento woman, was out hiking with her dog Monday in a remote part of Desolation Wilderness, the 63,960-acre federally protected area west of Lake Tahoe. They ended up having to spend a chilly […] SnowBrains | June 8, 2018 0 Comments
Pyramid Peak, CA | Hike Summary Of The Tallest Peak In Desolation Wilderness This past week we celebrated Summit Saturday… let’s get this outta the way from the get go- Pyramid Peak is a badass hike! It stands at 9,984′ making it the tallest peak in California’s awesome Desolation Wilderness. We chose the route along Lyons Creek Trail, just off Route 50 by Kyburz, CA. It starts off super mellow for about 4 miles until you get […] Matt Brennan | October 5, 2017 0 Comments
Lake Tahoe/Desolation Wilderness Trail Status Update: Snow is Still Causing Headaches in the High Country Desolation Wilderness/ Lake Tahoe, CA Trail Status Update by U.S. Forest Service – Lake Tahoe Basin Unit *** Desolation Wilderness Update: The report and photos below [and above] are from Forest Service wilderness ranger scouting expeditions on July 8 and July 12, 2017. GPS and/or map and compass are still recommended to find the trail along with proper footwear, clothing […] Guest Author | July 19, 2017 1 Comment
Tahoe Is Losing Access To It’s Best Backcountry Skiing Terrain: Parking for access to many of the best backcountry skiing areas in Lake Tahoe has been closed due to the current California Highway 89 improvement project. This improvement project is aimed at reducing sediment runoff into Lake Tahoe and in doing so they closed an untold number of unpaved, roadside parking spots. “What is happening is some of the pullouts people use to park for backcountry skiing are being eliminated,” said Bob Rowen, chairman of the Snowlands Network, which advocates on behalf human powered, winter recreation Industry News SnowBrains | October 1, 2015 4 Comments
Tahoe Backcountry Report: The North Face of 9,983′ Pyramid Peak On May 15th, 2014 our buddy Jon rocked up to the top of 9,983-foot Pyramid Peak in Desolation Wilderness to west of Lake Tahoe. This was a very noble journey as Pyramid Peak is the tallest mountain on the west side of Lake Tahoe. This must have been one helluva long walk. Tahoe is very burnt out and dry down low right now and there is nowhere to start walking towards Pyramid Peak […] Conditions Report SnowBrains | May 21, 2014 0 Comments
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