R09 TR: Desolation-Fontanillis July 2018

[brianA]

One of my favorite day hikes is in Desolation Wilderness. It's to the beautiful Fontanillis Lake, and Falls. One can get there via the Eagles Lakes Trailhead at Emerald Bay, or the Bayview Trailhead about 1/2 mile south. We hiked a total of 12.5 miles out and back from Bayview, with a total ascension at 2700 feet for the day. Bayview is steep, but the views along the way are breathtaking. Sometimes we come in from the north via Upper Velma Lake, and hike up the stair stepping Fontanillis Falls. Today we came in from the north, walking the PCT around Fontanillis Lake to hike down the falls. Fontanillis Lake has great views of Dick's Peak, Dick's Pass, and Dick's Saddle. That's an even harder day. We helped a through hiker get back on the PCT after he'd taken a wrong turn.

[TahoeJeff]

B I G bruin!

[Tom_H]

Nice. I love the initial plunge of water down the pluton at the outlet.

[rightstar76]

The Fallen Leaf Lake Quadrangle is one of my favorite in the Sierra Nevada. I like that image you took above Granite Lake with Lake Tahoe in the background. There are so many dramatic and stunning places in the range, but the view of Tahoe from Desolation is practically second to none.