Desolation Wilderness Gear Questions

The Tahoe Basin Mgmt Unit Fire Restriction Order list the following exception, “However, persons with a valid campfire Permit may use pressurized gas or
contained fuel stove.” I would say that alcohol is not an option. Esbit is a grey area so probably call to get verification and write down who said it was ok (if that’s the case).

I was in the sierras a couple weeks ago. Caught 8 in an hour with a birds nest that had a strand of wire on the lower portion, size 16 or 18.

The real trick is to look for "fishy" spots.

Had a little luck with a "spent spinner" once it sank below the surface.

Good luck

I'm headed to Desolation in a week, I called, per Chris, no alky stoves. I'd bring some sort of shelter to save one from mosquitoes, you are not hiking that long to get there unless coming from Echo Lakes. Try some mosquito pattern flies and the normal flies, they will work. Have fun.
Duane

Stoves- I dont think that they want alcohal stoves out there right now. But the ranger station is the only place I would accept an answer to that question before heading out.

mosquitos- I was out there at the end of June and the mosquitos were not to be taken lightly. I was on the other side of dicks pass at dicks lake. Literally swarms of them. I probably ate atleast ten just trying to get trough them. Head net and bug net in shelter would be reconmended. I only brought the shelter and regretted leaving the head net at home.

Thanks All. Will bring the canister stove, some flies, Trekker and headnet. Better safe than sorry on all counts – plus the canister stove is so darn easy.

I was out in Desolation Wilderness the past two weekends (6/28 and 7/5), one at Lyons Lake and the other at Lake Aloha. The mosquitos are out to get you in a big way. We were fortunate to have a good breeze one night but otherwise, you can expect to see them right before sunset. I actually did make it out to Half Moon Lake on a day hike. Very beautiful.

If you park at Echo Chalet, I highly recommend taking the boat on Echo Lake and skipping the +2 mile hike along the lake. The loose talus and sun were a huge pain. I'm not one to skip mileage but it just wasn't worth it. The fare is about $12 each way.