kman
Trail Wise!
Posts: 17
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Post by kman on Jun 22, 2018 18:24:38 GMT -8
Heading out that way in September. Looking for thoughts on either top day hikes, or a 3 day 2night backpack trip.
Early research says lake aloha is good, but trying to find out how to make that a 2nighter or other day hikes.
thanks
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davesenesac
Trail Wise!
Our precious life is short within eternity, don't waste it!
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Post by davesenesac on Jun 23, 2018 20:05:19 GMT -8
Just completed a 4 night backpack into Desolation yesterday. Have hiked and backpacked into that Tahoe region wilderness many times. Mid to late June is the most aesthetically scenic and exciting time for a trip because it is so green, flowery, creatures very active at the yearly peak abundance, snow decorating peaks, water flowing all over. By mid July there will be little remaining snow on peaks as it is all rapidly disappearing with corresponding stream flows drying up.
Those praising Lake Aloha do so because of what the visual scenic experience is at this early time of summer. Yesterday over heard someone at the SLT Raley's supermarket talking to a couple backpackers, on how it was just like the Swiss Alps. (at least for a few weeks each summer) And some make a big deal about "large" what evers as though that impresses them. And so it is with Lake Tahoe or...Lake Aloha. Also the heavily traveled Pacific Crest Trail is beside the east shore with way too many over used too close together camp spots. The wilderness lake "villages" some are drawn too much like car camp grounds. Ironically the opposite, trail-less west shore is virtually empty of groups. And people love to talk about where they went and that others should envy them for having such a great adventure. That noted, some new to mountain experiences will be happy at any time of summer to just to visit a big lake in mountain forests beside rocky peaks. On that note, any of its many wilderness lakes with names could work.
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Post by cahiker on Jun 26, 2018 16:46:05 GMT -8
If you like the open environment of Lake Aloha, then you would like Ropi Lake too. You could start at the Echo Lake trailhead, spend night 1 at Lake Aloha and night 2 at Ropi Lake, then head back out to Echo Lake. Lake of the Woods is nice too, but more forested, and also not very far from Aloha. You could setup camp at Lake of the Woods and day hike up to Ralston Peak.
Desolation is full of lakes, many of them very nice so there are lots of other options, depending on how far you want to hike each day.
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kman
Trail Wise!
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Post by kman on Jun 28, 2018 17:28:24 GMT -8
Thank you for the feedback so far...we usually hike 6-8 miles per day with packs. Research seems to show some lakes more limited with campsites or that the sites are primarily on rocks. Also seems to be that wid could be an issue at some locations. Are there any particular camp areas that have worked out better than others.
as for location of the hike, it seems that either lake aloha or middle Velma lake would work as a good base camp..if we stayed at Velma, it looks like a loop around fontanellis and dicks lake could be a nice option for day 2, or perhaps a hike to lake schmidell and back.
at aloha it seems exploring other lakes close or maybe a hike to Gilmore lake via heather and Susie and then back might be the day 2 trip.
If if you could only do one of those, would you lean towards one over the other. Unfortunately can’t work out logistics for a through hike to see everything.
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tarol
Trail Wise!
Redding, CA
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Post by tarol on Jul 16, 2018 12:22:01 GMT -8
Do whichever one you can get a permit for  |
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tarol
Trail Wise!
Redding, CA
Posts: 582
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Post by tarol on Jul 16, 2018 12:46:03 GMT -8
The Lake Tahoe Basin Mgmt Unit just posted this on Facebook...
"ATTENTION DESOLATION WILDERNESS HIKERS!
Forest Service Wilderness Rangers are reporting mountain lion activity near Middle Velma Lake and the surrounding area. There have also been reports of increased bear activity."
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kman
Trail Wise!
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Post by kman on Sept 22, 2018 18:39:06 GMT -8
Just came back from desolation wilderness. Weather and hiking were great.
Visited twin lakes...very nice day hike
Visited eagle lake and almost to Velma area, also nice, but trail is steeper
Backpacked to lake aloha for two nights. Trail very busy on weekend, lake water level is low, still a big lake, but view is different,. Day hiked to heather and Susie lake, which were both scenic.
Low of 32 high of 75, view and air were great.
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