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 10 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 10 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
A classic backcountry-style IMBA Epic ride.
Severe Mountain Biking
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
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
Easy uphill hike past a waterfall to a lake in the mountains outside Emerald Bay State Park.
Easy Hiking
An easy hike to a 65-foot cascade.
Moderate Hiking
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