Bordering the Desolation Wilderness

The Lake Tahoe region of the Sierra Nevada range has a lot more to offer than Lake Tahoe itself. To the west and the south of the lake on the California side are three wilderness areas surrounded by the El Dorado National Forest, the most popular being the spectacular Desolation Wilderness. This 99-square-mile area of outdoor adventure has over a hundred small lakes amidst striking peaks and mountain passes of white volcanic granite, alpine and sub-alpine forests, and glacially-formed meadows and valleys. It extends from the southeast near the Echo Lake complex (easily accessible from U.S. 50) to Loon Lake on the northwest, which is accessible from Ice House Road. Technically, these bordering lakes are in the National Forest just outside the wilderness boundary, and the beauty they offer are nothing to sneeze at either. And these lakes provide car camping, boating, hiking, fishing, and other recreational activities.

Echo Lake (2008)

Wrights Lake (2009)

I haven’t quite yet graduated to the deep wilderness backpacking excursions that would be required to hike into the Desolation Wilderness interior, but I have enjoyed visiting its edges, peering at its enticing viewshed, and hiking, birding, picnicking, and even spinning in circles on a raft in the middle of Wrights Lake. In August of 2013, we decided to visit Loon Lake. We chose to take the Wentworth Springs Road out of Georgetown, stopping for a few snapshots at Stumpy Meadows Lake (well, we had to stop there, mom’s nickname is Stump). We accessed Loon Lake from its south shore and started looking for a good spot to have lunch. The north shore Loon Lake campground provided that spot, so we paid a small day fee and grabbed a site. After our nice picnic lunch and me getting stung by a yellow jacket, we took the very short hike down to the lake. A large pile of granite rocks provided sweet couches to kick back upon on the lake’s northern shore and look across towards the Desolation Wilderness. The sun was out and I was so relaxed, I think I caught a snooze.

Loon Lake

Stumpy Meadows Reservoir

For those that are not faint-hearted about very steep, narrow, windy roads that drop very quickly in elevation, Ice House Road is the best way to drop south to U.S. 50. The views are gorgeous, particularly as the road passes right by the Union Valley and Ice House Reservoirs, and a good driver gets you to the highway safe and sound.