North Desolation Wilderness 5/16-18

[drleong]

Route Taken: Loon Lake TH - Spider Lake - Rockbound Lake - Rubicon Reservoir - China Flat - 4-Q's Lake - hit snow line - back.

North Deso: With the help of the HST community, decided to backpack North Desolation Wilderness last weekend. 3days/2nights, 30 miles. We parked at Loon Lake Campground gate and trekked in to Rubicon Reservoir for our first night. Perfect conditions, didn't see a soul once we got past Rockbound Lake. Day 2 we had planned to hike up and over McConnell Peak but that changed about half way through when we hit pretty dense snow pack just past 4 Q's Lake, roughly 8000ft. Ended up looping back out and turned our trip to an out and back.

Difficult Section: Rubicon River crossing - water was way to high and strong for us to cross so we stayed along the bank until the trail rejoined further south. Lots of snow past 8000 ft on northside.

Special Equipment: none

[drleong]

Sorry ya'll, photos are in reverse!

[TahoeJeff]

Great report! I love that area.

[paula53]

Thanks for posting. It looks like it was a fun trip. I also enjoy hiking in the Desolation Wilderness.

[Vaca Russ]

Drleong,

Thanks for posting this information. I'm sure it will be helpful to others planning on hiking in this area.

Thanks,

-Russ

[drleong]

Thank you, Russ! You were the one that helped us pick the area/route.

[jimandluba]

Thanks for sharing. Great photos. - Jim and Luba