Granite and Eagle Lake Loop Desolation Wilderness July 18, 2012

                                       Looking toward Emerld Bay and Lake Tahoe from the trail
For my last hike in the Lake Tahoe Basin I chose a 6 mile loop connecting Granite Lake and Eagle Lake. The hike starts at Bayview Campground and ends at the Eagle Falls parking area. It is advisable to start at Bayview or take a shuttle because the Eagle Falls parking area is busy with tourists. Shuttles operate every 30 minutes. The Bayview Trailhead is a nice place to start a backpacking trip into the Desolation Wilderness because it is a less popular starting spot. 

The hike starts at an elevation of 6820 feet and tops out at 8220 feet. It is rocky in places so be careful with your footing. After  2.8 miles hikers reach a junction giving hikers an option to go further in the wilderness toward the Velma Lakes or down to Eagle Lake. The trail from the junction to Eagle Lake is the steepest and rockiest. Watch your footing.

                      Nevada with Emerald Bay in the background

                  Beautiful Emerald Bay from above

                                    Nevada and I at Granite Lake

                             The blue of Lake Tahoe with the Carson Range in the background

                                     Cool tree with the wilderness in the background

                                          Eagle Lake
                 
                 Below looking inside the rugged Desolation Wilderness