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Wilderness Areas Around Lake Tahoe

Wilderness Ethics

Human impact can degrade and destroy wilderness resources, as well as detract from other visitors' wilderness experience.  Many areas in the wilderness show dramatic, and sometimes irreversible, signs of heavy or improper use.  Late snow melt, short growing seasons, and limited nutrient flow make for slow recovery of the Desolation's alpine environment. Crowding, water quality degradation, destruction of vegetation, soil erosion, and dependence of wildlife on human food are evidence that all visitors must share in the responsibility of protecting these unique and fragile resources.

Please become familiar with and practice low impact skills whenever you travel outdoors, and especially when you visit wilderness areas. These tips will help you travel "travel" on the land:

1. Plan Ahead and Prepare
2. Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
3. Dispose of Waste Properly
4. Leave What You Find
5. Respect Wildlife
6. Be Considerate of Other Visitors

Additional considerations or regulations to help minimize impacts include:

• Stay on trails to reduce erosion and avoid trampling fragile vegetation next to the trail.  (Please don't "cut switchbacks.")
• *Make camps at least 100' (70-80 paces) and do all washing at least 200' (100 paces) from all water sources or trails.
• *Open campfires are prohibited in DesolationWilderness.  In the Mokelumne they are prohibited above 8,500 feet and in the Carson Pass Management Area.  Use portable camp stoves only! There may be very strict rules if fire restrictions are in effect.  Be sure to check what is happening when planning your trip.
• *Pack out your trash and any other litter that you see.
• *Bury human waste six to eight inches deep at least 200' (100 paces) from lakes, streams, campsites, and trails. Toilet paper must be packed out or buried.
• *Dogs should be on a leash at all times to be considerate to other visitors and to protect wildlife.  Please bury canine waste.
• *Recreational livestock must be held or confined more than 100' from other campsites and more than 200' from lakes and streams.
• Enjoy the sounds of nature.  Leave radios and tape players at home. Please reserve cellular phone and two-way radio communication for emergency use only.
• Prepare for the unexpected.  Follow this link for some more Back Country Safety Tips.

*Violators are subject to fines.

Other Wilderness Issues:

Bury human waste six to eight inches deep at least 200' (100 paces) from lakes, streams, campsites, and trails. Toilet paper must be packed out or buried.

Water in the Sierra may be contaminated with Giardia lambia and Crytosporidium, two organisms which can cause serious illness. These organisms are invisible, tasteless and odorless, and can cause symptoms that begin long after you've left the backcountry. Some backcountry waters may also contain bacteria and viruses that can make you ill.

There are may ways to protect yourself from these organisms. If day hiking, carry sufficient water from home, or bring along a portable water filter (make sure it filters down to 1 micron).  If camping, use a filter or boil your water for three to five minutes.

Water is usually available year round in the major creeks, but smaller creeks may dry up toward the end of summer.  Please get more information about the backcountry at Back Country Safety Tips.