Honorable Mentions

Desolation Wilderness Destinations

Grass Lake, a 5-mile out-and-back trek starting at the Glen Alpine trailhead, is a lovely day hike destination. Climb up and past the Glen Alpine Springs Resort, then to the trail junction at the boundary of the wilderness. A couple of creek crossings, each spanned by logs, present a bit of a challenge, then granite and timber staircases lead up to the lake. Contained by rolling expanses of granite and clusters of fir, pine, and brush, a spectacular waterfall spills off a red rock cliff to the west in early season; beyond and above the lake and falls, the arcing walls of the high glacial basin rise skyward.

Grass Lake is just one of a bonanza of alpine tarns—Aloha Lake, Susie Lake, Dicks Lake, Fontanillis Lake—that lie in Desolation’s backcountry. The wilderness can be reached via the Glen Alpine trailhead, the Eagle Lake and Bayview trailheads near Emerald Bay, and from the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) at Echo Lake. With a good map, a backpack, and several days to weeks, you can stitch together an excellent lake-to-lake high country excursion.

To reach the Glen Alpine trailhead, the closest for a hike to Grass Lake, from the intersection of US 50 and CA 89 in South Lake Tahoe, go north on CA 89 for 3 miles to Fallen Leaf Lake Road. Turn left (west) onto Fallen Leaf Lake Road and follow the narrow roadway for 5 miles. Pass the lodge and marina; at the fork stay straight, past the fire station, on FR 1216 to Lily Lake. The trailhead parking area is 0.6 mile ahead. Check hike descriptions for Eagle Lake, Cascade Falls (Bayview trailhead), and the PCT at Echo Lake for directions to those trailheads.

Pyramid Creek and Horsetail Falls

This short hike heads up Pyramid Creek to granite slabs at the base of Horsetail Falls, a spectacular spill that courses down the mountainside on the west side of Echo Summit, near Twin Bridges. At about 2.5 miles round-trip, this hike is not terribly long, but it does feature more than 400 feet in elevation gain. Great granite slabs define the route, making for a walk that is as engaging as the destination. Use caution and common sense as you travel alongside the creek and approach the falls, as route-finding on the slabs can be challenging. An easier loop trail option is also available. A fee is required at the trailhead parking area, and you’ll need a free permit to enter the Desolation Wilderness.

To reach the Pyramid Creek trailhead at Twin Bridges from the intersection of US 50 and CA 89 in South Lake Tahoe, drive west on US 50 for 16 miles, over Echo Summit, to the parking lot on the right (northeast) side of the road just before the bridge at Twin Bridges.