No Ca Desolation Wilderness Trip

“You can't touch this!”

“null”

“Jess keeping this thread alive.

We still planning on Mem. Day Weekend? Y'all that know the area got a good trail in mind? Anyone hear about the snow predictions by then?”

“Dunk and I are heading to the Marble Mountains this weekend, we'll let you know about the snow there when we get back.”

“Still looking forward to the Desolation trip... Dunk, Chinachas, looks like I won't be able to join you this weekend. I waited 'til last minute, hoping other commitment might change, but, it wasn't meant to be. Damn!

Nevertheless, I'm still in for the Desolation hike... since it's a holiday weekend, are we (sic) planning on an early departure AND a long weekend?

I'm coming from the south (Napa), and can hook up with y'all in Sacto, or wherever's most convenient. Easy for me to blow off Friday's, and can probably get there Thursday night if necessary. It's gettin' close, people... I'm effervescent with anticipation!”

“Right on! Me too! Gonna try and bust out the home sewn tarp in time!”

“Both my jobs are flexible enough I can blow off whatever time I need, so I'm available for early and late transport from Sac. I can fit 3 more+gear comfortably, 4 more if someone sits in the middle.
You know how that goes.”

“I will be able to blow out Friday work as well. Let me know if anyone in my neck of the woods would like a ride. I can haul 3 plus gear (I'm coming from Chico).

I'm just sittin around recovering from foot surgery anxiously waiting to get back into the mountains. Have fun in the Marbles this weekend CC, let me know about snow levels if you don't mind.”

“Hmmm. I'm gonna be taking a lot of time off in June so I'm not sure I take that Friday off. But we'll see. Maybe we can plan a rendezvous point somewhere.”

“I'm headed up to Tahoe tomorrow (Sunday) for a day-hike in from the Eagle Pass side. I want to get far enough back in to get an idea of how much snow is on the passes. I'll post an update late Sunday nite!”

“Mini-Trip report, Sunday, May 6.

Went up this A.M. to determine snow levels & document drive-times. I was surprised to see on the way up that snowline is still down at 6800' along Route 50. Snow increased as I travelled higher up. I drove around East side of Lake Tahoe on 89 & arrived at Eagle Falls trailhead. I entered with the objective of getting up to the top of Tahoe Rim, maybe down toward Dick's Pass (Dick's Peak is almost 10,000') to see how deep snow was. I figured if we can get past there we'll be O.K. No problem getting up past Eagle Lake toward Velma Lakes, but about 2.5 to 3 miles in toward Velma I started to hit small snowfields on the trail. Went thru a couple, but came to one that I decided, as a solo hiker, I didn't want to chance. It was on a pretty steep part of the trail, & I saw how, if I slipped, I could easily tumble down the granite a few hundred feet. No Thanks! So anyway, wussed out and turned around for the return. Glad I did, going DOWN the snow covered parts of the trail was worse than going up! The snow melts during the day, then re-frezzes at night so the surface (at least early in the morning) is like ice.

Anyway, spoke w a couple climbers who had been back in Desolation in last couple of weeks, and also stopped at the Ranger Station & spoke with them about backcountry conditions. Bottom Line: it may get a little chilly at night, and we'll certainly have snow around us, but the general consensus is that we should be in good shape by Mem Day weekend! (Tried to get down to Echo TH, snow had drifted over the road so couldn't make it). I suggest we consider hooking up & camping Fri Nite at Tahoe somewhere (Sugar Pines Pt. State Park is right around the corner), drop a couple cars at Eagle Falls TH, then drive around to the TH at Echo Lake. This drive time is only about 35 minutes, maybe another 15 down to the lake itself. From there, take the water ferry across to hit the trail, hike in to Gilmore Lake for first night camp. Second day head to Eagle Falls. I was high enough today to appreciate the absolutely spectacular view of Emerald Bay & Tahoe as you hike down from the upper rim. A one-in-a million view!”

“OOP's...drove around the WEST side of Tahoe on Route 89...”

“Wanderer.... I don't know how I missed this thread all this time.
I would have loved to do a trip with y'all.
But I already have plans for Memorial Day weekend. Thanks for the invite though!

I don't know how you guys and gals find the time to visit every thread ....I sure can't keep up with the days activities around here.”

“Wind Walker...sorry 'bout that, I should've sent you an email. I *assumed* you saw this thread...oh well, guess we'll have to plan another trip!!”

“No problemo Wanderer and your on... where do you want to go.”

“Yeah, Wanderer, the report sounds great! Sorry I missed ya this morning... last night was a late one, and I was motivated to do one thing, and one thing only... I just can't remember what it was (Memory's the thing I forget with).”

“Cool, Wanderer. Thanks for the update. By the end of the month, I would guess a lot of the snow will be melted. I think I could drive up after work on Friday and meet up with you guys at the campground or trailhead in the morning.

Also, I have to bring it up. I have a great trail dog that usually hikes with me in the backcountry. She's been on the trial since she was a pup and is well behaved. But I understand people's reservations and it's also our first time packing together, so if there are any objections, I understand and will leave her beind.”

“Rosey, I've seen a number of trail dogs in Desolation, doesn't bother me at all if you can bring him. Mine is getting a little old & has some arthritis in his front joints or I'd bring him along.”

“Rosey, I might consider bringing my Golden if she'll have some fun (for her) company. She's really mellow, overly friendly, and though she's 8, she might like the opportunity. As with you, any objections and she stays behind, no problem.”