Desolation Wilderness, CA

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Desolation Wilderness - Dick's Pass
Desolation Wilderness - Dick's Pass - Joe Parks from Berkeley, CA, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Today’s Forecast:

🌤
76°F
High: 76° | Low: 46°
Current Temperature
Station: OWNC1
Observed at: 4:02 pm CDT on 9/26/26
Wind: 9 mph | Humidity: 23%

This Afternoon:Mostly sunny. High near 59, with temperatures falling to around 56 in the afternoon. Southwest wind around 16 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph.
Tonight:Mostly cloudy. Low around 46, with temperatures rising to around 48 overnight. South southwest wind 9 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 33 mph.
Sunday:Mostly cloudy. High near 54, with temperatures falling to around 51 in the afternoon. Southwest wind 9 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph.

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Today’s Report:

🥾 Hiking

Excellent
  94 /100

Excellent for hiking. High near 54°F. Low rain risk (2%). Light wind (17 mph).

  • Temp: Marginal weather factor
  • Rain: Favorable conditions
  • Wind: Favorable conditions
  • Thunderstorm: Favorable conditions
Tomorrow's Outlook:
Excellent 94/100
Excellent for hiking. High near 54°F. Low rain risk (8%). Light wind (10 mph).

⛺ Camping

Use Caution
  48 /100

Use Caution for camping. High near 54°F. Low rain risk (2%). Breezy winds (17 mph).

  • Temp: Favorable conditions
  • Rain: Favorable conditions
  • Wind: Marginal weather factor
  • Thunderstorm: Favorable conditions
Tomorrow's Outlook:
Excellent 100/100
Excellent for camping. High near 54°F. Low rain risk (8%). Light wind (10 mph).

🛶 Paddling

Not Recommended
  12 /100

Not Recommended for paddling. High near 54°F. Low rain risk (2%). Breezy winds (17 mph). Temperatures outside comfort limits (54°F).

  • Temp: Unfavorable weather factor
  • Rain: Favorable conditions
  • Wind: Marginal weather factor
  • Thunderstorm: Favorable conditions
Tomorrow's Outlook:
Not Recommended 22/100
Not Recommended for paddling. High near 54°F. Low rain risk (8%). Breezy winds (10 mph). Temperatures outside comfort limits (54°F).

About Desolation Wilderness

Desolation Wilderness is an outdoor-planning page for western Tahoe backcountry from Echo Lakes to Loon Lake. It has a distinct purpose centered on backcountry snow, exposed granite, permits, thunderstorms, and fire restrictions, with the forecast used to choose the safest and most comfortable version of the day.

Make the Most of a Desolation Wilderness Day

Start by comparing conditions across Echo Lakes, Lake Aloha, and the rest of the coverage area. Choose among hiking, camping, paddling based on wind, precipitation, temperature, visibility, water or trail conditions, road access, smoke, and available daylight.

Weather Tips for Desolation Wilderness

  • Conditions around western Tahoe backcountry from Echo Lakes to Loon Lake can differ sharply from nearby towns; backcountry snow, exposed granite, permits, thunderstorms, and fire restrictions are the main planning variables.
  • Check wind, waves, current, tides where relevant, water temperature, and lightning before launching; keep a land-based alternative ready.
  • Check elevation-specific forecasts, snow and ice, chain controls, seasonal roads, cold nights, thunderstorms, wildfire smoke, and shoulder-season closures.
  • Crowds and parking can narrow the useful weather window, so arrive early and keep a lower-commitment nearby option.

Nearby Towns and Areas

This page covers western Tahoe backcountry from Echo Lakes to Loon Lake. It can also be useful when planning outdoor time near:

  • Echo Lakes
  • Lake Aloha
  • Eagle Falls
  • Wrights Lake
  • Meeks Bay trailhead
  • Fallen Leaf Lake
  • Loon Lake

Plan Around the Conditions

Use the forecast to choose the best version of Desolation Wilderness rather than forcing one itinerary. A shorter route, earlier launch, sheltered shoreline, lower-elevation trail, or town-based backup can preserve the day when conditions change.

7-Day Forecast for Desolation Wilderness

🌤
76°F
High: 76° | Low: 46°
Current Temperature
Station: OWNC1
Observed at: 4:02 pm CDT on 9/26/26
Wind: 9 mph | Humidity: 23%
Sat ⛅
59° 46°
1%
Sun ☁
54° 39°
2%
Mon ☀
54° 44°
8%
Tue ☀
65° 47°
0%
Wed ☀
68° 49°
0%
Thu ☀
68° 49°
0%
Fri ☀
65° 48°
0%

7-Day High Temperature Trend

59° Sat 54° Sun 54° Mon 65° Tue 68° Wed 68° Thu 65° Fri

7-Day Low Temperature Trend

46° Sat 39° Sun 44° Mon 47° Tue 49° Wed 49° Thu 48° Fri

📊 7-Day Outdoor Outlook

Good Fair Poor 100 Sat 90 Sun 90 Mon 95 Tue 100 Wed 100 Thu 100 Fri
Forecast data from the National Weather Service  |  Last Updated: September 26, 2026 8:40 pm CDT

Desolation Wilderness Weather by Season

Winter

At Desolation Wilderness, deep snow, avalanche terrain, closed roads, and limited services define winter access. Many trailheads are unreachable, and clear skies do not remove cold-night, ice, or high-elevation hazards.

Spring

Around western Tahoe backcountry from Echo Lakes to Loon Lake, spring remains wintry in the high country, with snow-covered trails, runoff, muddy lower approaches, and roads opening gradually. Shoulder-season plans should stay flexible around snowpack and overnight freezes.

Summer

For backcountry snow, exposed granite, permits, thunderstorms, and fire restrictions, summer is the main access season, with intense high-elevation sun, cold nights, snowmelt crossings, and afternoon thunderstorms. Wildfire smoke and fire restrictions can alter routes or close backcountry areas.

Fall

Near Echo Lakes and the surrounding area, early fall can be stable and clear, but freezing nights and early snow arrive quickly. Passes, campgrounds, and seasonal roads may close with little relation to conditions in nearby valleys.

Key Climate Data Points

  • Warmest months: July and August.
  • Coolest months: December through March.
  • Wettest season: November through April, primarily snow.
  • Driest season: July through September.
  • Best outdoor window: Mid-July through September after snow retreat and before sustained winter weather.