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Backpacking · Lake Tahoe Basin

🎒Backpacking

Desolation Wilderness and Spooner Backcountry — permit-required alpine routes.

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6 locations shown
▲ Trailheads
Glen Alpine Trailhead
South Shore
Most popular Desolation entry · Permit required · Gilmore & Susie Lakes
⚠ Day-use & overnight permit required
Full details →
Echo Lake Trailhead
South Shore
PCT junction · Water taxi option · Lake Aloha
⚠ Overnight permit required
Full details →
Bayview Trailhead
West Shore
Granite Lake · Quick Desolation entry · 4mi RT to lake
⚠ Day permit recommended
Full details →
Spooner Backcountry
East Shore
NO permit required · 3 primitive camps · Flume Trail access
⚠ No permit — first-come
Full details →
Five Lakes — Granite Chief
North Shore
Granite Chief Wilderness · Less crowded than Desolation · No permit
⚠ No permit required
Full details →
Dick's Peak via Velma Lakes
West Shore · Expert
Expert · 18mi · 3,800ft gain · Multi-day loop · Desolation permit
⚠ Overnight permit required
Full details →
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