Hike to and from Gertrude Lake in Desolation Wilderness

PLEASE NOTE
A day use permit is required, and I put the RSVPS limit at 12 to comply with the wilderness rule of a 12 person maximum per group size in Desolation Wilderness. Please don't RSVP if you are not committed to going!! If something unexpected comes up, then please change your RSVP to "not going", so members on the waitlist can go.

SUMMARY
On this hike in El Dorado National Forest, Desolation Wilderness, and the Sierras near Wrights Lake, we will hike to and from Gertrude Lake in Desolation Wilderness for about 8.4 miles with an overall elevation gain of about 1,200 feet via Rockbound Trail and Tyler Lake Trail through pine forest, alpine meadows, and granite rocky terrain.

MEETING PLACES AND TIMES
For carpooling, meet 8:00am at Iron Point Park and Ride next to light rail station and below McDonald's in Folsom, and the address is 150 Iron Point Rd, Folsom, CA 95630. Please pay carpool driver the current price of gas per gallon.

For those meeting directly at the trailhead, meet 10:00am at Rockbound Trailhead on Wrights Lake Rd/or Union Road F about 1/5 of a mile north of Wrights Lake Campground after paying the parking fee and finding parking. You can type the Kay word "Wrights Lake Campground, Kyburz CA 95720" to locate the campground, which is just south of the Rockbound Trailhead and parking lot. It's $10 to park in Wrights Lake Recreational Area.

Driving directions to Rockbound Trailhead from Sacramento, Folsom, and other places to the west;
1. Head eastbound on US HWY 50.
2. Turn left and continue north on the winding Wrights Lake Rd for about 8 miles to Wrights Lake Recreational Area, then pay the parking fee.
3. After paying the parking fee, slightly turn left and continue on Wrights Lake Rd/Union Road F for about 1/3 of a mile while passing Wrights Lake Campground to the right.
4. Look for a sign that says Rockbound Trailhead, then turn left and continue about 80 feet to the Rockbound Trailhead parking lot.

HIKING INFORMATION AND ESSENTIALS
DIFFICULTY: Moderate to hard due to distance, some hills, and high altitude.

DISTANCE: About 8.4 miles.

ELEVATION: About 1,200 feet in overall elevation gain.

ROUTE: Start at Rockbound Trailhead on Wrights Lake Rd/Union Road F across from parking lot, then hike north and east on the Rockbound Trail or trail number 16E08 for about 2.2 miles, then turn right and hike east and north on Tyler Lake Trail or trail number 16E09 for about 2 miles. Then after spending some time and having lunch at Gertrude Lake, then hike west and south on Tyler Lake Trail or trail number 16E09 for about 2 miles, then turn left and hike south and west on the Rockbound Trail or trail 16E08 for about 2.2 miles back to the starting point. I recommend download AllTrails or Gaia apps to help locate and stay on trails.

DOGS ALLOWED: Yes.

ESSENTIALS: Bring water, sun protection (hat, sunglassess, etc), first aid kit, snacks/small lunch, hiking shoes/boots, hiking poles for hills if needed, insect repellent spray, etc.

REFERENCE:
Information about hiking Rockbound Trail or trail number 16E08, and Tyler Lake Trail or trail number 16E09 in El Dorado National Forest and Desolation Wilderness can be found on the following links; https://www.hikingproject.com/trail/7033709/rockbound-trail-16e08
https://www.hikingproject.com/trail/7061269/tyler-trail-16e09
https://www.trailforks.com/trails/tyler-trail-243255/
http://tspauld.blogspot.com/2007/06/el-dorado-national-forest-tyler-lake.html

Information about practicing leave no trace principles can be found on the following link; https://lnt.org/why/7-principles/