Often holding snow from start to the finish of winter this area is suited to ski tourers. The approach to the mountains will often involved book packing through wilderness.
Explore Desolation Wilderness with curated guides of the best hiking trails, and more. With over 14 3D trail maps in FATMAP, you can easily discover and navigate the best trails in Desolation Wilderness.
No matter what your next adventure has in store, you can find a guide on FATMAP to help you plan your next epic trip.
Get a top trail recommendation in Desolation Wilderness from one of our 6 guidebooks, or get inspired by the 14 local adventures uploaded by the FATMAP community. Start exploring now!
Miles 1092.3-1124.8 of the northbound PCT: Through the Desolation Wilderness near Lake Tahoe, packed with alpine lakes and prime camping within polished granite basins.
Moderate Hiking
Very steep and direct route to the highest peak in the Desolation Wilderness.
Difficult Hiking
Ascend steeply through intimidating cliff bands to reach a high saddle on Echo Peak, then drop down into a granite basin of sparkling lakes in the Desolation Wilderness.
Difficult Hiking
Short hike to a stunning alpine lake with the amenities of day-use or overnight kayak and cabin rentals at Angora Lakes Resort.
Moderate Hiking
A section shared with the Pacific Crest Trail that tours many alpine lakes and incredible overlooks in the glacier-carved granite valleys of the Sierra Nevada’s Desolation Wilderness.
Difficult Hiking
Easy hike past waterfalls, lakes, and a historic springs resort that leads to more strenuous trails in the Desolation Wilderness, including a way to the top of Mount Tallac.
Moderate Hiking
Stroll along a portion of the Tahoe Rim Trail beside large alpine lakes.
Easy Hiking
A scenic hike along Lake Tahoe's shore that links overlooks, swimming beaches, a waterfall, and a historic mansion in two state parks.
Moderate Hiking
Legendary thru hike of America’s West Coast states, from the southern deserts at the Mexico border, through some of the country’s highest mountains, to the Northwest forests and the Canadian border.
Difficult Hiking
Stroll through the forest past alpine lakes, then tackle a strenuous climb to the top of the proudest peak on Lake Tahoe's shore.
Difficult Hiking
Easy uphill hike past a waterfall to a lake in the mountains outside Emerald Bay State Park.
Easy Hiking
A classic South Tahoe tour outside of Meyers
Moderate Ski Touring
Located in South Lake Tahoe, this peak has one of the most amazing views of the surrounding area. The north facing aspects can hold really dry powder and the east side can hold amazing corn snow when the melt-freeze cycle begins.
Difficult Ski Touring
A fun north facing aspect with mellow tree skiing, playful terrain features and an easy hike in and out. Located above Lower and Upper Echo Lakes near Echo Summit and High Way 50.
Difficult Ski Touring