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Whether you’re looking for solitude or just a deeper immersion into the outdoors, backpacking truly provides an all access-pass to Tahoe’s unique beauty. Outdoor expert Kevin Hickey, owner of Tahoe Adventure Company, has spent years exploring the backcountry. Check out his suggestions on where to wander below, and if you have something to add or ask don't forget to take a look at the comments at the bottom of this article. Happy trails!

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Desolation Wilderness - so close, yet so far away
One of the most accessible wildernesses in the country, Desolation is a popular destination for day hikers and visitors alike. Luckily, over 63,000 acres of forest and 130 lakes offer enough space for everyone to get pleasantly lost in nature. You’ll need a permit for hiking and camping – obtain it by visiting a forest service office. Check out www.fs.fed.us/ for more information.

Two popular access points for Desolation Wilderness are at the Eagle Falls Trailhead in South Lake Tahoe or the Granite Lake Trailhead near Inspiration Point at Emerald Bay. Take either trail through Velma Lakes and towards Dick’s Lake where you’ll intersect with the Pacific Crest Trail. Undesignated campsites are available – some right on the lakes’ shores.

Glen Alpine Trailhead is another way to enter Desolation Wilderness and offers a number of trail options. Some spiral up towards Susie, Heather and Aloha Lakes, providing stunning views, granite walls and features. The Glen Alpine Trailhead is located off of Hwy 89, just north of South Lake Tahoe on Fallen Leaf Road.

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Granite Chief Wilderness - away from the hustle
On the west shore of Lake Tahoe butting up to Alpine Meadows and Squaw Valley ski areas, Granite Chief Wilderness features granite cliffs that swoop down to glacial valleys and is the headwater for the American River. Aside from the busy day hike to the 5 Lakes area, Granite Chief Wilderness is less populated than many other wilderness areas and only requires permits for camp stoves (campfires are prohibited). Explore trails into the Hellhole Reservoir or Picayune Valley to find a solitary escape. Camping is prohibited within 600’ of any of the 5 Lakes and dogs are not permitted in certain deer fawning areas. Find more information from the forest service here.

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Mokelumne Wilderness - for summit seekers
If you’ve a hankering for heights, trek through Mokelumne Wilderness for access to Jobs and Freels Peaks – two of the highest in the Tahoe Basin. The Wilderness, located south of South Lake Tahoe between Hwys 88 and 4, is also home to many small lakes, granite features and the rugged Mokelumne River Canyon. Wilderness permits are required for overnight users from the Eldorado National Forest.

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Meiss Country Roadless Area - take a warm dip
Located between Luther Pass (Hwy 89) and Carson Pass (Hwy 88), this area features lovely hikes as well as intersections with the Pacific Crest and Tahoe Rim Trails. Campfires are permitted with permit. Find more information from the forest service here.

Within Meiss Country, hike to Meiss Lake where warm, shallow waters make for an ideal swimming spot. The trailhead can be found just past the intersection of Hwys 88 and 89, one mile past the Carson Pass Sno-Park.

Also catch the Tahoe Rim Trail’s Big Meadows Trailhead and explore three alpine lakes: Round, Dardanelles and Scotts. Scenic volcanic cliffs and granite shelves complement these lakes’ beauty. Trails also wander through Meiss and Big Meadows, where wildflowers bloom in profusion. The trailhead is located off of Hwy 89, about 5 miles south of US 50 between Luther and Carson passes.