Lyons Lake, Desolation Wilderness, CA

Upon arriving at Lyons Lake, I discovered completely idyllic, serene views, and wilderness solitude.  (Visited only by a photogenic marmot, that is!)  Lyons Lake offers the classic wilderness experience Desolation strives to provide.

*  For a newer article visit Lyons and Sylvia Lakes 2015  I suggest scrolling through the photos here though!

If you click on a photo you can scroll through the photos, enlarged for easier viewing.  At the bottom of this article I have posted Wikiloc's link for GPS tracks, a topo map of the trail, and an elevation profile.

Sunset at Lyons Lake in June 2012.

 

Difficulty:  Strenuous. Climbing rocky terrain, several creek crossings.  Take extra socks or waterproof boots.

Length:  10+ miles RT per my GPS.

Elevation:  range from 6707 to 8401 feet.

Directions:  Take Wrights Lake Road north off of Highway 50, out of Kyburz, CA.  Follow the signs to Lyons Creek Trailhead.  The Wrights Lake Road will be between tract 36 and tract 39 along Highway 50.

Other advisories: There is free parking; no restroom.  At the trailhead there are day passes available that you will need to cross into the Desolation Wilderness.  If you are planning to backpack in, obtain a permit from  Recreation.gov  , a Tahoe Basin Ranger Station or from Pacific Ranger Station off of Highway 50 at Fresh Pond..  There are minimal fees.  No campfires allowed inside the wilderness boundaries.  Fishing is popular and you need your fishing license. Check for Desolation's current regulations.

Wildflowers abound while the area is still moist with runoff from snow melt.  They line the trail and there is no need to bushwhack around to have the pleasure of the colors.

Alongside Lyons Creek Trail this creek flows invitingly, and offers picturesque, idyllic wading and resting areas, not to mention more photo opportunities!

As you approach Desolation, it is getting drier and rockier, but as you climb in elevation (gradually until the fork up to Lyons Lake) you'll wind your way through some more shady areas, but the threat is the mosquitoes are there waiting for you!!! They seem to love Deet.

 This trail is not only inviting to us, but those flying biting ravenous bugs.  The trail gains elevation slowly at first and is as the photo depicts, pleasant and easy.  But it's deceptive!

 It gradually gets steeper and definitively rockier!

Then the junction for Lyons or Sylvia Lakes is clearly marked with a forestry post, and both are wonderful destinations. It's only .1 mile farther to Lyons though quite a bit steeper climb.

 On a warm day you tend to look for some shady rest as the trail has wandered away from the creek. A hat is nice protection and sunscreen is worth the trouble.

The next thing you know you'll cross Lyons Creek, preferably by going from rock to rock, but plan on getting wet.

    

The trail up to Lyons Lake winds upward through the rocks and boulders, and is pretty easy to follow. 

This creek flowing from Lyons is slightly off trail, actually easy to get to for a rest.

You have arrived!  There is an outlet from Lyons that has a small dam on its north side that you can cross to get to this small clearing beside the lake that is shaded.

This little marmot will probably visit you. He was happy to let me wander around taking photos but he didn't get into my things, as some will do without apology. There are several campsites around the lake.  I chose the flat granite east of the outlet.

This photo is of the west side of Lyons Lake later in the day.

 Fewer wildflowers are to be found up here, but these were bright accents to the drier scenery.

The evening sky from southeast of the Lyons Lake outlet.



 As I descended the next day, this was my view from Lyons Lake.

Wikiloc GPS tracks:  Lyons Lake in Desolation Wilderness 

Related Posts

Desolation Wilderness
2015-07	Lyons & Sylvia Lakes	10+ miles	Strenuous
2014-08	McConnell Lake Loop	30 miles	Moderate to Strenuous/Difficult
2014-07	Rockbound to Doris, Lois & Maud Lakes	18 miles	Moderate-Difficult
2014-06	Lyons Creek Trail to Lake Sylvia	12+ miles	Moderate to Strenuous
2013-06	Lawrence Lake	13+ miles	Moderate to Strenuous
2012-09	Umpa Lake & Enchanted Pools	8+ miles	Cross country ~ Moderate
2012-08	Horsetail Falls via Pyramid Creek TH	Aprox.  10 miles to lakes at the top of the falls	"Difficult, and potentially dangerous" miles
2012-07	Rockbound Trail to Maude Lake	10 miles	Moderate
2012-07	Twin Lakes Trail to Island Lake	8 miles	Moderate-Strenuous
2012-06	Lyons Lake via Lyons Creek Trail	10+ miles	Strenuous
2012-08	Lyons Creek Trail to Lake Sylvia	9.2 miles	Moderate
2012-06	Grouse, Hemlock, and Smith Lakes	6+ miles	Strenuous
2011-07	Lyons Creek Trail with melting snow	9+ miles	Moderate
2011-02	Grouse Lake	3.8 miles	Moderate
2010-09 We hiked 12 days.	Tahoe Rim Trail	167 total	Moderate to Strenuous

Happy Trails!  Thanks for dropping by!

Updated links and facts 06-2016

Happy Trails!

updated 8-2012
Updated with a link to a new post about this hike and a new link for reservations.

Lyons Creek Trail to Lake Sylvia updated 8-2012

  Check road conditions before you go early (May-June) in the hiking season).

Photo of Lake Sylvia on June 13, 2012

Lyons Creek Trail conditions updated July 2015 in this post: Lyons and Sylvia Lakes in Desolation Wilderness with current photos.

 Lake Sylvia is the reward of this 9.2 mile round trip,

out and back, hike on Lyons Creek Trail. 

The trail starts out wide but becomes single file.  Some sections are nice firm dirt and some areas are loose rock and tree roots.  Most of the climb is fairly steady and slow going in, but once you are close to the lake it is a bit steeper.  (The graph at the bottom of this page will show you what to expect.)  Remember that it means your reward is imminent!

(June) This day was perfect weather and we picnicked and waded in the lake to refresh ourselves from the hike up.  There is less snow already as of June 21, 2012.  With the nice days it is quickly melting!  The weather is a relief, being degrees cooler than a couple thousand feet lower in elevation.  There are nice places to wade and picnic.

     As you hike there are three markers to help you know your way.  The first is a sign where Bloodsucker Trail meets Lyons Creek Trail.  The next is Desolation Wilderness Entry and is a large sign.  The last is a post that points to the left for Lyons Lake and ahead for Sylvia.  If you get that far don't despair!  The trail climbs, but keep in mind that the lake is gorgeous and a welcome reward! You are almost there!

Difficulty:  Moderate, due to 9 mile length and elevation.

Elevation Change: 6719-8080 feet

Location:  El Dorado National Forest (and partway along the hike you enter the Desolation Wilderness which requires a permit you can obtain and fill out at the parking lot). 

• Take Wrights Lake Road north off of Highway 50 at Kyburz. 
• Follow the signs to Lyons Creek Trailhead. If you cross Lyons Creek you just passed the good sized parking lot available at the trailhead. No restroom there.

Lyons Creek in June 2012

In some areas the water is a bit gross, just sitting on the trail, a muddy bug breeding ground.
Just this week, June 21, 2012 The water is less of a mess. There are still some fun blankets of snow, though smaller and only the higher elevation ones!  None are blocking the trail.  The creek crossing is deeper than shoes are tall, so bring extra socks at least, and I try to go from rock to rock across.

Generally better conditions than I expected, fairly dry and firm mud to walk on.

This is Lily, having a great time playing in the snow!

This was the only tree fall between entering Desolation Wilderness and the trail junction.  It was easy to go around, so the trail was easy and fun to follow.  You hike on mostly a rock bed that will give your knees and ankles a workout!  The water on this trail does tend to run all along the trail instead of elsewhere, so good hiking shoes are an advantage.  You will need to cross places that are rocky stream beds with water runoff pouring along, but again, I try to use rocks to hop across.  None is very deep like knee high!

Wildflowers abound on this trail!  

 From  this junction you can hike up to Lyons Lake or go on to Sylvia Lake. There are creek crossings along the way, so again, good shoes help.  The water levels vary.  At least bring extra socks!

We called this a mini-geyser because from a distance it looks like a geyser. 

The current in these nice resting areas is swift so beware but the water isn't anywhere near as cold as we expected and where it was safe, it was cooling and perfect for wading in!

This is what is called a widow maker.  Best not to hang around these because they come by that nickname honestly...falling and killing or injuring people.  

 Trail data:

 I highly recommend you bring water and some snacks or lunch. No fires are permitted in the wilderness, and a fire permit is needed even for your small campstoves.  
Please Leave No Trace 
and enjoy your trip!

Related Posts

Desolation Wilderness
2015-07	Lyons & Sylvia Lakes	10+ miles	Strenuous
2014-08	McConnell Lake Loop	30 miles	Moderate to Strenuous/Difficult
2014-07	Rockbound to Doris, Lois & Maud Lakes	18 miles	Moderate-Difficult
2014-06	Lyons Creek Trail to Lake Sylvia	12+ miles	Moderate to Strenuous
2013-06	Lawrence Lake	13+ miles	Moderate to Strenuous
2012-09	Umpa Lake & Enchanted Pools	8+ miles	Cross country ~ Moderate
2012-08	Horsetail Falls via Pyramid Creek TH	Aprox.  10 miles to lakes at the top of the falls	"Difficult, and potentially dangerous" miles
2012-07	Rockbound Trail to Maude Lake	10 miles	Moderate
2012-07	Twin Lakes Trail to Island Lake	8 miles	Moderate-Strenuous
2012-06	Lyons Lake via Lyons Creek Trail	10+ miles	Strenuous
2012-08	Lyons Creek Trail to Lake Sylvia	9.2 miles	Moderate
2012-06	Grouse, Hemlock, and Smith Lakes	6+ miles	Strenuous
2011-07	Lyons Creek Trail with melting snow	9+ miles	Moderate
2011-02	Grouse Lake	3.8 miles	Moderate
2010-09 We hiked 12 days.	Tahoe Rim Trail	167 total	Moderate to Strenuous

Happy Trails!  Thanks for dropping by!

Updated links and facts, irrelevant facts deleted. 06-2016

Updated this page July 2015 with a link and removing fee information that has changed.