Desolation Wilderness, Protected natural area in El Dorado County, United States.
Located west of Lake Tahoe, this 63,960-acre wilderness features granite peaks, alpine lakes, and extensive hiking trails across elevations from 6,500 to 10,000 feet.
Originally used by the Washoe people, the area became a Forest Reserve in the late 1800s before its designation as Desolation Valley Primitive Area in 1931.
The Pacific Crest Trail and Tahoe Rim Trail intersect through the wilderness, attracting hikers who seek to explore the Sierra Nevada mountain landscapes.
Visitors must obtain permits for both day use and overnight stays, with a quota system limiting access during peak season from Memorial Day through September.
The wilderness contains Lake Aloha, a clear-water reservoir surrounded by granite formations, and Horsetail Falls, which cascades nearly 500 feet in multiple stages.
Location: El Dorado County
Inception: 1969
Operator: US Forest Service
GPS coordinates: 38.91970,-120.17000
Latest update: May 27, 2025 09:52
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Lover's Leap
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11.3 km
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Silver Peak
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Mount Price
6.2 km
Phipps Peak
4.3 km
Red Peak
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Taylor Creek Stream Profile Chamber
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Rainbow Trail
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Glen Alpine Falls
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Loon Lake
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Fallen Leaf Chapel
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