Topic

Desolation Wilderness in late June after a record snow year

Viewing 9 posts - 1 through 9 (of 9 total)
Alex Wallace BPL Member
PostedJun 30, 2023 at 12:12 pm

Wet trails with lots of debris.

Snow still lingering and water everywhere.

Easy to find bare ground, but most spots were saturated.

This cute little devil chewed up my map and the reservoir to my water filter.

This lake was about 50% melted out.

Careful of snow bridges…

A bit icy in spots required the use of microspikes.

Bruce Tolley BPL Member
PostedJun 30, 2023 at 3:06 pm

Awesome photos. Thanks for sharing.

Cute marmot….Was your map smeared with chocolate by chance???

Alex Wallace BPL Member
PostedJun 30, 2023 at 4:47 pm

Thanks.

Ha! No chocolate or other food on the map, which was a nice Tom Harrison one. I have no idea why it chose that, but I’m super thankful the little bugger didn’t go for my hipbelt, tent, sleeping bag, etc. I spent over an hour picking up all the little shreds from my map.

jscott Blocked
PostedJun 30, 2023 at 5:44 pm

I love Desolation (west side of the lake) early in season, with snow. Just like you found, or a bit less! Some years I’ve dayhiked up to Dick’s Lake (past Velmas) in April and it looks like your pictures. It’s too late  to ski but the snow is compact. May, things are often really melted out. Not this year! Wow, I don’t think I’ve ever seen the creeks and rivers flowing like that. What a great trip! Where were you?

I wonder if the late season has left critters hungry and more bold about chewing on possible food? My most aggressive bear encounter by far was over the fourth of July weekend many years ago in Yosemite when the snow was still solid at 8000 feet or so. few had hiked in and the bears may have missed their backpacking treats!

jscott Blocked
PostedJun 30, 2023 at 7:40 pm

Is that the outflow from Dick’s lake going into the Velma lakes?

Alex Wallace BPL Member
PostedJul 1, 2023 at 11:07 am

Thanks, fellas. Great country indeed!

Jscott, Twin & Island lakes. The braided waterfall above Twin Lakes spills from what I’ve heard referenced as Silver Dagger Lake, but it’s unnamed on most maps.

Viewing 9 posts - 1 through 9 (of 9 total)
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