Description - Because of its beauty and accessibility Desolation Wilderness is per acre, the most heavily used wilderness area in the country. Desolation Wilderness is 12.5 miles long and 8 miles and is accessed by 15 named and numbered trailheads under a quota system.
- Desolation contains 63,960 acres of subalpine forests, glacial lakes and valleys, and granite peaks. A portion of the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail/Tahoe Rim Trail passes through the area.
All persons entering Desolation must obtain a wilderness permit all year-round. Day hikers may self-register at the trailheads, but overnight users must obtain the permits (fee charged) in person. Since Desolation is so popular, a wilderness permit quota system is in place for overnight campers. You can make a reservation for overnight permits. Fees are charged for both reservations and camping.
Recreation - As in all wilderness areas, travel is limited to foot or horseback access. Mountain bikes are not allowed. Campfires are prohibited to allow deteriorated sites to recover to a more natural condition.
Climate - A Mediterranean type climate extends over most of the Forest with warm, dry summers and cold, wet winters. Weather can change rapidly during all seasons of the year. Elevation plays a major role in temperature and precipitation. This precipitation falls mainly from October through April. At higher elevations, it comes mostly in the form of snow. A snowpack from 5-10 feet or more is usually present from December to May at elevations above 6,500 feet. Winter temperatures below zero and summer temperatures above 100 degrees indicate the normal seasonal spread.
Clouds can build up during the summer to produce spectacular thunderstorm activity. It is wise to pack for any season with clothing that can be "layered", ready to peel off or add on as the thermometer dictates. Always include some kind of rain gear.
Desolation Wilderness lies to the southwest of Lake Tahoe and north of Yosemite National Park in the Sierra Nevada.