Location: Wright’s Lake, CA
Strenuous. 7.5-mile hike with ~1500′ gain
Backpacking with pack support.
This is a high-elevation project: 8,000+ ft.
Spend a week volunteering with trail work, campsite restoration, and more surrounded by alpine lakes and stunning granite features.
Service Project Details
Mostly spared by 2021’s Caldor fire, we’re excited to head back to Desolation Wilderness. Our service project includes trail work and campsite restoration by removing illegal campsites and fire rings. The work could also include building a turnpike through a seasonal stream-wet meadow crossing between Lake Doris and Lake Lois, as well as clearing down trees from the McConnell Loop. Our base camp will be at Lake Lois, (8,320′). This makes for a 7.5-mile hike from the trailhead at Wright’s Lake (6,940′). About 6 miles from the trailhead the trail crosses Rockbound Pass (8,520′), and then descends 200 ft. for the last 1 mile to Lake Lois. The elevation gain to the pass is 1,580 ft. over a distance of 6 miles.
Some campsites are too close to the lake, and we’ll be tasked with removing those illegal camps and naturalizing the area. We’ll also maintain trails in the area by improving trail tread, improving stream crossings, and building rock stairs. The project will require doing a fair bit of rockwork. The Forest Service will provide pack animals to carry tools, group food, and kitchen supplies to our base camp. You will get the opportunity to work closely with Wilderness Rangers and Desolation Wilderness Volunteers on this exciting project.
Project Leaders: Misha Kokotovic and John Chapman
Check out the photo gallery from our past projects in Desolation Wilderness.
Agency Website
Itinerary:
Saturday, September 7th. The Volunteer group meets in the afternoon at a time/place TBD. The group will go through check-in, introductions, orientation, and assist in gear organization for the pack team if necessary.
Sunday, September 8th. The group will hike into basecamp and will help set up camp in preparation for the work week ahead.
Monday, September 9th. Workday.
Tuesday, September 10th. Workday.
Wednesday, September 11th. Day off.
Thursday, September 12th. Workday.
Friday, September 13th. Workday.
Saturday, September 14th. Break down camp, hike out, goodbyes, and depart.
Nearest Cities
Meyers, CA
Pollock Pines, CA
Nearest Airports
Sacramento International Airport (SMF) – ~98 miles away
Reno International Airport (RNO) – ~119 miles away
Free Time Details
Hike to the nearby Rubicon River or Lake Schmidell, multiple lakes and peaks are accessible from this area. Fishing, swimming, photography, and general relaxation opportunities abound.
Accommodations
Backpacking with pack support.
Difficulty
Strenuous. 7.5-mile hike with ~1500' gain
Task Details
Bending, cutting, hauling, swinging, digging, throwing, pushing, lifting, leveraging, repetitive motion, etc.
Equipment List
View Equipment List