Hi everyone,
I'm planning a backpacking trip at desolation wilderness with my friend. We're thinking of going up on the 26th for a 3/4 day backpacking trek. We did badger pass a couple of years ago on snowshoes and it was a blast. We thought we'd try something different this time.

I've never been to the desolation area so I have no idea what to expect. I see a lot of trails, but I'm assuming that they're snowed over during the winter. Are there any snowshoe trails, or do you just make your path as you go?

Also for the desolation area, would you recommend snowshoes or backcountry skiis? I figure with the skiis, we'd be able to cover more ground. I'm just concerned about getting into hilly or forested areas with skiis. If anyone has experience with this area, please chime in.

Thanks!

If anyone has experience with this area, please chime in.

We used to ski and snowshoe prolifically in all parts of Desolation Wilderness and close by in the far past. One nice tour we did was a 5 day traverse from Chambers Lodge to Camp Sacramento, bagging Pyramid and Ralston Peaks, with an attempt on Jacks Peak. There was another overnight tour from Echo Lakes to Fallen Leaf Lake, camping near Lake Aloha. You need to have two cars for these shuttles, otherwise I see people headed in via Echo Lakes (with a Sno-Park) to Lake Aloha, a beautiful spot.

These snow jaunts were fairly free from avy hazard, although you do have to watch out. Now, or more recently, I ski the peaks, with Pyramid a 5 hour ski climb with a fantastic descent when the snow is good. You can camp partway, or ski it from Aloha.

I think the USFS requires a permit for overnight even in winter, although there would be no quota. Nicer for some would be to day ski and lodge in nearby South Lake Tahoe. Or perhaps you can reserve Ludlow Hut (Sierra Club) and day ski from there.

It will be cold, I see single digits for lows coming, but in most places you can saw some wood for an emergency campfire if it gets dangerously cold. The very low lows are not for beginners! Myself, I've camped out at 4 degrees and even with good gear, it gets scary.

Going into Desolation on skis right now without benefit of avalanche training is a very risky proposition. If you do it I would suggest you stay off of and away from any slope steeper than say 20 degrees. Watch for runnout zones too.

at the very least read a book on avalanche awareness.

Cheers
DMT

The 26th is probably too early with too low snow cover for an interesting 3/4 day trip. I'd wait until the Echo Lakes are more frozen and there is several more feet of snow . I think the best introduction to the Desolation Wilderness is to start at the Hwy. 50 Snopark ,ski to Echo Chalet ,cross Echo Lakes and set up a base camp at Aloha Lake . Take day trips to Ralston,Pyramid, Dicks ,etc. There are good views of Lake Tahoe and the Sierra crest from lot's of places. It's definitly ski country . Have a great trip !

+1 for Palisades recc. That was my introduction to Desolation in the wintertime. Great skiing to be had as wel on the peaks he mentioned. And, you are in a great open bowl area at Aloha for gazing at the peaks.

Hi everyone,
Thanks for the great advice. So the impression I'm getting is that skiis are better than snowshoes, and stick to flat ground for safety.

Palisades, in your opinion what would be a good time to get out there? Also would I have to worry about avalanches on the peaks?

Also does anyone know if we have to reserve beforehand, or can we just go pick up permits at the stations? it seems there's no quota for winter camping so I don't know why they'd make us reserve.

Thanks!

Varun916 wrote:Hi everyone,
Thanks for the great advice. So the impression I'm getting is that skiis are better than snowshoes, and stick to flat ground for safety.

Dingus, in your opinion what would be a good time to get out there?

Also does anyone know if we have to reserve beforehand, or can we just go pick up permits at the stations? it seems there's no quota for winter camping so I don't know why they'd make us reserve.

Thanks!

We've had a good kick off to ski season. There is lots of snow in the Sierra now. Not the deep mid winter pack mind you but its going good so far.

In terms of safety - its never safe without avalanche training. So long as there is snow on the slopes that is. I do most of my back country ski work during spring conditions, myself. I am more into having fun and getting some classic turns than I am suffering with 8 hours of daylight and 16 hours of tent time.

I really don't like camping in winter, because of the darkness.

So I wait till March or even April, when the big Pacific storms die down.

May violate this general rule this year, as a friend wants to do a tour.

SnoPark passes aren't camping permits, they are parking permits. CALTRANS plows designated day and overnight parking areas for back country enthusiasts. You need a pass to park there or you WILL get a $100 parking ticket.

Google California Sno Park Passes for a list of places to buy them.

DMT

Also does anyone know if we have to reserve beforehand, or can we just go pick up permits at the stations? it seems there's no quota for winter camping so I don't know why they'd make us reserve.

Ranger stations do have winter hours (shortened) and they do observe holidays. Shame to plan your trip and get up there to find a big closed sign. I expect the bc rangers will be off duty, although last I heard there are only 2 for the area.

While it has been cold, be careful crossing Echo Lakes. If you see unsafe conditions, tracking along the edge by the PCT will be very time consuming and much harder than if the lake was frozen enough. Two people died just now by another CA lake in the north, so apparently the ice is still unsafe.

Echo Lakes weren't even close to frozen as of Sunday 12/20. About half of the lower lake was visibly water. And some ridges and south-facing slopes were pretty bare, although you can certainly find plenty of snow if you stick to northern/shaded/protected areas.