California · Hiking · John Muir Wilderness · Near Bishop

Desolation Lake

Desolation LakePhoto: gregmote, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)
4.5 mi
round trip
378 ft
climb
11,451 ft
high point
Out and back
route

Is Desolation Lake open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Sierra National Forest. It doesn't name Desolation Lake, so check the source for the area it covers (3 listed).

As of · Source: USFS · Sierra National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Desolation Lake is a 4.5-mile out-and-back hike in California's John Muir Wilderness, within the High Sierra Ranger District of Sierra National Forest. The Forest Service manages the land, and the route is not accessible. It rises from a low point of 11,118 feet to a high of 11,451 feet, with a one-way gain of 378 feet. The trail is natural-surfaced and rated hard. Bikes are not allowed. The trip is open year-round. The nearest towns are about 5 miles away, so plan for a full day on foot. Humphreys Lake and the Muriel Lake Trail both sit about a mile from the trailhead. North Lake Campground is about 4 miles off, and Mt. Humphreys, a climbing area, is roughly 2 miles away.

Around this trail

Add any of these when you start a trip
  • Sleep close

    North Lake Campground

    Campground

    Campground · 4.3 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    The Waterfront Café

    Restaurant

    On your way back · 5 mi
  • If it rains

    Paiute-Shoshone Indian Cultural Center

    Museum

    In town

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

More in Bishop

Local outfitters

Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.