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Three
types of fees will be tested in the Desolation Wilderness:
- a
wilderness permit reservation fee ($5)
- a
overnight wilderness camping fee ($5/person/night w/3rd night
free or $30 individual annual pass)
- a
parking fee at Eagle Falls Parking lot ($3/day/vehicle or
$20/annual pass)
If you
bring your pet on the trail, put it on a leash to minimize its
impact on wildlife and other visitors. Observe common courtesy
and follow trail regulations. Other hikers will appreciate your
observance of minimum impact camping and packing out what you
pack in. REMEMBER...open campfires are NOT allowed in Desolation
Wilderness! Click here for a map of hiking
trails.
| TRAILS
|
DIFFICULTY
|
ELEVATION
Low/High |
MILEAGE
(One Way) |
| 1.
Moraine Trail |
Easy
|
6360'/6410'
|
1
mile |
| 2.
Angora Lakes Trail |
Easy
|
7200'/7470'
|
0.5
mi. to Angora Lakes |
| 3.
Tallac Historic Site |
Easy
|
Flat
|
0.3
mi. on Lake of the Sky Trail |
| 4.
Echo Lakes Trail |
Moderate
|
7420'/8430'
|
2.5
mi. to NW corner of Upper Echo, 4 mi.
to Tamarack, 5 mi. to Lucille and Margery,
5 mi. to Lake of the Woods, 6 mi. to Aloha |
| 5.
Glen Alpine Trail |
Moderate
Moderate
Moderate
Strenuous
|
6560'/7240'
6560'/8120'
6560'/8150'
6560'/9735'
|
2
mi. to Grass Lake, 4 mi. to Susie,
5 mi. to Heather, 6 mi. to Aloha,
4.5 to Half Moon, 5.2 to Alta Morris,
6 mi. to Tallac |
| 6.
Clark Trail |
Strenuous
|
6420'/7470'
|
1.6
mi. to Upper Angora |
| 7.
Mt. Tallac Trail |
Strenuous
|
6480'/9735'
|
1.7
mi. to Floating Isle,
2.5 mi. to Cathedral, 5 mi. to Tallac |
- MORAINE
TRAIL:
Stroll along a relatively flat trail through the forest and
along the shore of picturesque Fallen Leaf Lake. Take Highway
89 north approximately 3 miles from South Lake Tahoe to Fallen
Leaf Lake Road. Continue approximately 2/3 of a mile to Fallen
Leaf Campground. Drive through the campground and park just
before campsite #75 on the right. There is no fee for day
use. Look for the trailhead sign near the parking area. In
the winter, when the campground is closed, you must park just
beyond Fallen Leaf Campground off of Fallen Leaf Lake Road
and walk to the trailhead.
- ANGORA
LAKES TRAIL:
An easy 1/2 mile hike leads to two lakes framed by cliffs.
Swimming and fishing are popular activities. Summers are crowded,
so arrive early. Dogs must be on a leash at all times. Take
Highway 89 north approximately 3 miles from South Lake Tahoe
to Fallen Leaf Lake Road and turn left. Turn left at the first
paved road. Continue to Forest Service Road 12N14 and turn
right. Watch for bicyclists along this road. Continue past
Angora Lookout to the road's end at the parking lot.
- TALLAC
HISTORIC SITE:
Step back into the past and explore the personalities, events
and summer homes of turn-of-the century Tahoe landowners.
The trail begins from the Kiva Picnic Area and is accessible
to persons with disabilities. The site can also be reached
from the Lake of the Sky Trail that begins at the Lake Tahoe
Visitor Center.
- ECHO
LAKES TRAIL:
See a variety of alpine lakes on this moderate trail. Take
Highway 50 to Echo Summit and turn onto Johnson Pass Road.
Stay left and the road will lead you to the parking area by
Lower Echo Lake. For a short walk, hike to the far end of
Upper Echo Lake. A longer hike leads you to one of the many
lakes farther down the trail. A boat taxi operated in the
summer by Echo Lakes Resort cuts three miles off your trip.
A nominal fee is charged for this service. A wilderness permit
is required.
- GLEN
ALPINE TRAIL:
Many different hikes can be taken from this trailhead. For
a short walk, try the 2 mile hike to Grass Lake. Another hike
to Lake Aloha leads you past a small waterfall, a beautiful
meadow and three alpine lakes. A third option is a moderate
hike to Half Moon, Alta Morris or Gilmore lakes. If Mt. Tallac
is your goal, the Glen Alpine Trail offers a more moderate
approach. Take Highway 89 north approximately 3 miles from
South Lake Tahoe to Fallen Leaf Lake Road. Watch for bicyclists
and other cars on this narrow, one-lane road. Continue until
you see the Glen Alpine trailhead sign and turn left. Trailhead
parking is across from Lily Lake. A wilderness permit is required.
- CLARK
TRAIL:
For the more adventurous, this strenuous hike can provide
some solitude. Traversing through loose shale up a steep grade,
the trail ends at Angora Lakes. Take Highway 89 north from
South Lake Tahoe to Fallen Leaf Lake Road. Parking is located
at the Glen Alpine Trailhead described in the previous hike.
From the parking area, walk back down the road to the junction
of Fallen Leaf Lake Road. Look for the small church to your
right. A little post located behind the church marks the hard-to-find
trailhead.
- MT.
TALLAC TRAIL:
Providing a spectacular view of Fallen Leaf Lake, Lake Tahoe
and Desolation Wilderness, this strenuous hike is well worth
the effort. The first part of the trail to Floating Island
and Cathedral lakes is moderate and can be enjoyed by the
novice hiker. Beyond Cathedral Lake, the trail becomes steep
and strenuous as it continues up the front face of Mt. Tallac.
The trailhead is located approximately 3-1/2 miles north of
South Lake Tahoe on Highway 89. Look for the Mt. Tallac Trailhead
sign directly across from the entrance to Baldwin Beach and
turn left down the dirt road. Continue to the trailhead parking.
Weather conditions can change rapidly in the Sierra mountains;
bring a jacket, carry lots of water and allow plenty of time
for your trip. A wilderness permit is required.
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