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24: A cold night in Desolation Wilderness

This topic has 16 replies, 9 voices, and was last updated 2 years, 5 months ago by YoPrawn.

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Jun 22, 2022 at 1:37 pm #3753394

Alex Wallace
BPL Member

@feetfirst
Locale: Sierra Nevada North

Jun 22, 2022 at 2:17 pm #3753402

W I S N E R !
Spectator

@xnomanx

Beautiful.

Jun 22, 2022 at 6:51 pm #3753441

Matthew / BPL
Moderator

@matthewkphx

Wow. Stunning photos. Thanks for sharing.

Jun 22, 2022 at 9:44 pm #3753453

Matthew / BPL
Moderator

@matthewkphx

I know almost nothing about the Desolation Wilderness other than it’s up near Lake Tahoe. Which part is this? What’s the altitude like?

Jun 22, 2022 at 9:54 pm #3753455

Ratatosk
Spectator

@ratatosk

That was a wonderful series of photos.

Jun 22, 2022 at 10:19 pm #3753458

Alex Wallace
BPL Member

@feetfirst
Locale: Sierra Nevada North

Thanks, all. I think the moody skies, early season green foliage, and a few highlights of snow are the standouts here.

Matthew K, Yes, just west of Lake Tahoe in the southwest quadrant of the Wilderness. A paved road off of a major highway leads to a marked trailhead w/ a parking lot adjacent to a campground. From the TH, I travelled on a well marked trail to a few lakes that are no secret, but I’m still reluctant to name them here. Elevation ranges from about 6,900 ft. – 8,100 ft. Feel free to PM me for more info.

Jun 23, 2022 at 8:38 pm #3753542

AK Granola
BPL Member

@granolagirlak

How exciting! Great photos. Was this recent? I’ll be heading that way soon, cannot wait.

Jun 23, 2022 at 9:27 pm #3753543

Alex Wallace
BPL Member

@feetfirst
Locale: Sierra Nevada North

Thank you. Yes, just last week (June 17-18). Enjoy your trip!

Jun 23, 2022 at 10:03 pm #3753544

W I S N E R !
Spectator

@xnomanx

That last shot should be in Locus Gear’s catalogue.

Jun 24, 2022 at 8:37 am #3753557

jscott
BPL Member

@book
Locale: Northern California

Note the effective use of rocks as anchors. There is no soil.

For those with families or partners who don’t like to backpack, it’s easy to stay in a motel and day hike major miles through Desolation and all around the Lake. Trail heads are all over the west shore (Desolation access) and in fact all around the lake. So five to twenty minutes from lodging, possibly. Hike a different trail head each day.

Jun 24, 2022 at 11:56 am #3753566

Alex Wallace
BPL Member

@feetfirst
Locale: Sierra Nevada North

Ha, thanks, Wisner. I may have to look into submitting it. Ooh, maybe they’ll offer a coupon or something in return. I’ve been eyeing their larger Khafra and saving my pennies to hopefully purchase one day.

Jscott, Yes, no significant soil to speak of on this ledge to drive a stake in securely. Maybe an inch or two of decomposed granite on top of hard granite. Thus, big rocks for the win. It was windy all day with stronger winds, freezing temps, and snow flurries forecasted overnight, so I made an effort to get it right.

Jun 24, 2022 at 12:19 pm #3753567

W I S N E R !
Spectator

@xnomanx

Thus, big rocks for the win.

On an upcoming trip with a lot of mileage above treeline I’m going to be carrying 6-8 3′ loops of cord for my Solomid for this purpose.

Locus Gear makes beautiful gear

Jun 24, 2022 at 1:19 pm #3753579

David Gardner
BPL Member

@gearmaker
Locale: Northern California

Marvelous photos. You pitched your tarp beautifully in a beautiful spot. Quilt or sleeping bag?

Jun 24, 2022 at 1:51 pm #3753581

Alex Wallace
BPL Member

@feetfirst
Locale: Sierra Nevada North

Wisner, Sounds like a good idea and surely lighter than beefy stakes. I’ve actually done this in the past for extra guyout points, but not that main ones. No good reason not to though now that I think about it. I might have to do the same.

David, Thanks. On leisurely trips I’ll spend the extra time to find that “perfect” spot. I probably spent a good hour and a half this time because I was mostly looking for a place sheltered from the wind.

I’m still an old school sleeping bag user (WM Megalite). I like to cowboy camp when I can and I’m not sure I’d feel “secure” enough to do so in a quilt. Packing my fears, I guess.

Jun 24, 2022 at 2:33 pm #3753585

David Gardner
BPL Member

@gearmaker
Locale: Northern California

I’m old school too. I have both, but for tarp + wind + low temps + possible precipitation I go with the a bag every time.

Jun 24, 2022 at 3:57 pm #3753600

Adrian Griffin
BPL Member

@desolationman
Locale: Sacramento

Good choice of campsite—away from the shoreline.

Jun 24, 2022 at 9:56 pm #3753609

YoPrawn
Spectator

@johan-river
Locale: Cascadia

Ooooohhh, that last photo is one sexy tent pitch shot! Nice and taught with an epic background. Perfect.
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