Kalmia (Desolation) TR

[windknot]

I met up with fellow HST member Jay on Tuesday and we carpooled up to Eagle Falls to check out little Kalmia Lake perched high above the Cascade Creek drainage.

A view of the ridge just before we departed the Velma Lakes trail.


Traversing the ridge.


Most of the snow had already burned off, but the patches that were left were a bit slippery.


Finally arriving at the lake.


The water was calm and crystal clear, and nary a fish could be found. We did end up seeing a few, but they might have been the only fish left in the lake.


Kalmia sits at the lip of a gorgeous little basin.


Beginning the descent back down.


I have no idea what kind of flower this is, but I thought it contrasted nicely with the blue of Tahoe in the background.


Overall it was a fun hike and I'm glad I got to visit this little lake. Hope you enjoyed the pictures!

Matt

[TehipiteTom]

Nice pics!

The flower looks like some wallflower (Erysimum) species.

[treadwell]

Thanks for the report, looks like beautiful area.

[SSSdave]

A couple decades ago I red marked lakes on all my 15 minute Sierra topos of the day if they appeared to have unobstructed sky views towards their outlet directions and both Kalmia and Azure below were such. Views on both those are towards the northeast, thus the sun even on the solstice is well behind the ridgeline north from Tallac. Though obviously a nice graphic to the northeast one can't expect good dawn sky color like from the west end of Middle Velma. However more intesting was that it was obvious by climbing up a bit above the lake one ought to be able to see Kalmia, Azure, Cascade, and Tahoe.

I've got a reserved permit for July 3 out of the Bayview trailhead for 4-day trip sierra juniper effort up in the Velma zone with a friend. Figured we would see plenty of patches of snow in shady areas and that is looking to be more certain with your pics. Looking forward to some boot skiing too.