Hike to and from Twin Lakes and Island Lake in Desolation Wilderness
Details
PLEASE NOTE
A maximum of 12 people per group size in Desolation Wilderness is allowed, and a permit is required. If you decide not to come, please change your RSVP to "not going", so members on the waitlist can go.
SUMMARY
On this hike in the high Sierras, El Dorado National Forest, and Desolation Wilderness; we will hike to and from Twin Lakes and Island Lake through pine and fir forest, and granite rocky terrain for about 6.2 miles with a elevation gain of about 1,200 feet. About 8.2 miles if we need to start at the overflow parking.
MEETING PLACES AND TIMES
For carpooling, meet 7:15am at Iron Point's park & ride below a vacant building that used to be McDonald's and next to light rail station in Folsom. Address is 150 Iron Point Rd, Folsom, CA 95630.
For those meeting directly at trailhead, meet 9:15am at the Twin Lakes Trailhead east of Wrights Lake within Wrights Lake Recreation Area, and one of Google GPS coordinators for locating the parking lot near the trailhead is 38.849627,-120.225556.
$10 parking fee to park within Wrights Lake Recreation Area, and address for the Twin Lakes Trailhead is 48 Wrights Lake Rd, Kyburz, CA 95720.
Driving directions to trailhead parking lot from Sacramento, Folsom, and other places to the west;
Head east on HWY 50 toward South Lake Tahoe, then turn left onto Wrights Lake Rd and continue for about 9 miles to Twin Lakes Trailhead within Wrights Lake Recreation Area.
HIKING INFORMATION AND ESSENTIALS
HIKING LEVEL: Moderate due to high altitude and some hills.
DISTANCE: About 6.2 miles between Twin Lakes Trailhead and Island Lake, or about 8.2 miles between overflow parking and Island Lake.
ELEVATION: About 1,200 feet in elevation gain.
HIKING ROUTE: Start at Twin Lakes Trailhead east of Wrights Lake, then turn right onto Twin Lakes Trail number 16E12 and hike uphill for about 2.7 miles to Twin Lakes, and at every trail junction, follow wooden signs pointing the way to Twin Lakes ( Or Island Lake ). After visiting Twin Lakes, continue about .5 mile on Twin Lakes Trail to Island Lake, then after visiting Island Lake, hike on Twin Lakes Trail for about .5 mile to have lunch at Twin Lakes for about 20 to 30 minutes. After lunch and spending some time at Twin Lakes, we will hike downhill on the Twin Lakes Trail number 16E12 back to the starting point east of Wrights Lake for about 2.7 miles.
ESSENTIALS: Bring lots of water, snacks/small lunch, hiking poles for hills if needed, hiking boots/shoes, first aid kit, insect/bug repellent spray, sun protection (hat, sunglasses, etc), paw protection if you bring your dog, and a map of Desolation Wilderness or app of AllTrails or Gaia if needed.
REFERENCE: Information about hiking to Twin Lakes and Island Lake can be found on the following links;
https://ourwanders.com/twin-lakes-trail-desolation-of-wilderness/
Hike to and from Twin Lakes and Island Lake in Desolation Wilderness