Peachy Hiker: day hikes

WILDFLOWERS ARE BLOOMING

EVERYWHERE, IN EVERY COLOR, ALL AT ONCE

along the Lyons Creek Trail!

Alpine Lilies

Leichtlin's Mariposa Lily

Fireweed

Assorted Indian Paintbrush, lupine, and other wildflowers.

Single-stemmed Groundsel

More Alpine Lilies

This is the creek just before the Lyons Lake Junction sign looking SW into the woods.

Difficulty: At 10 miles I would rate any hike "Strenuous", and there are a couple of shallow creek crossings this year. A plus is the elevation gain is accomplished going in, and coming out is downhill. Not for strollers, but babypacks work!
Distance: 10+ miles round trip, upward, some loose rocky sections.

Elevation gain: + 1875 feet up and -1875 back down.
Driving Directions:

Take Wrights Lake Road north off of Highway 50 near Kyburz.
Follow the signs to Lyons Creek Trailhead. There is parking, but no restrooms are available. If you reach the Bloodsucker Lake parking, you have gone too far.

Notes: Day passes are available at the trail head, seasonally. In the winter season, stop by Pacific Ranger Station at Fresh Pond, CA and pick one up.
You could stop at Fresh Pond for gas, restroom use, drinks and snacks before you get off of Highway 50. For backpacking, see the notes near the end of this page. For even a small cooking stove, have your fire permit with you. Also bring your fishing license with if you bring your pole.

A great website is Desolation Wilderness Volunteers. It includes a photo gallery and a wealth of information if you plan on visiting the area.
I just returned from hiking to both lakes on the Lyons Creek Trail and the weather was, as expected, random! Sunny and hot on my first day and then on my way out after my over-nighter and day hiking, a thunderstorm blew in. In Desolation these weather changes are not uncommon, so be prepared.

Walk along a barely used roadway for forestry related activities. In a short distance though it becomes trail, first leading you through an large open meadow.

Take one of the "use paths" to your left when you hear the water, and

at some of those locations you can refill your water in Lyons Creek

or maybe splash to cool off.

The following photos will take you through to Sylvia Lake.

Enter the woods on a hard packed soil trail.

I get excited when I reach this point, feeling closer to my destination.
Some hiker's goal is Pyramid Peak. Sylvia Lake is in the bowl beneath the peak though, so you won't have to climb it unless you are prepared to do so. Lyons Lake is a steep climb north marked with a forestry post at the trail junction.

This open area has corn lilies blooming at shoulder height right now,
along with Lupine, Paintbrush, Pennyroyal, Larkspur, Asters,
Mountain Bluebells, and many other wildflowers.

Corn Lilies and Mountain Bluebells

The creek crossings are quite shallow. Step across the rocks and head into the woods again.

The view to the south side.

As you get closer to the lake, the trail is composed of loose rocks. If you are prone to twisting an ankle, mid boots will help prevent injury.

We have arrived! Bring your fishing pole if you have one. There were fishermen along the WNW shore of Sylvia Lake and also at Lyons Lake.

Please note that Sylvia Lake is a sensitive area with recent restoration work done. Please respect the restoration effort. These signs will show you the areas to avoid:

Larkspur

Please, please, please respect fire restrictions in place. More than ever before, Desolation Wilderness could be lost in fire due to the extreme drought, and even lasting effects from dead and dying trees that resulted from the drought. Fires mar the surfaces and change the resources, but at the end of the day, fire hazards are very high regardless of how careful you feel you are. Build fires in campgrounds designed with safe fire rings rather than in the wilderness.

Day use fees: none; permits available at some trail heads after Memorial Day weekend, specifically at Lyons Creek, Rockbound, and Twin Lakes Trailheads.

To obtain passes or for assistance in trip planning:

You can make online reservations for Desolation Wilderness Permits for a small reservation fee at Recreation.gov,
or visit Pacific Ranger Station Fresh Pond, 7887 Highway 50, Pollock Pines, CA or call (530) 647-5415 .
If you are from the Tahoe side, check with Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit at (530) 543-2600.

Other regulations and restrictions can be found on the website, too.

I highly recommend you bring water and some snacks or lunch. No campfires are permitted in the wilderness. Have your Wilderness Permit to use your stoves and lanterns.

Please Leave No Trace and enjoy your trip!

Happy Trails!

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

See the Full Table of Contents.

Added links and updated permit information 06-2016

Waterfalls, meadows, wildflowers, and a shady hike.

Sierra Discovery Trail

updated October 2012 for winter conditions, but other material is still posted below..

Families can enjoy taking small children,

even using a dirt friendly stroller!

Wheelchair accessible,

(maybe with a little help through the winding dirt section).
Near Truckee, in Tahoe National Forest, close to Interstate 80, off of Highway 20 toward Nevada City.

SNOW!!!

You can see this little gem by crossing the small bridge
beside the Sierra Discovery Picnic Area. Taken October 2012.

The parking lot was covered in snow and the trail unmarked at this time.

A forestry road and a small turnout that takes off to the left of Bowman on your way in.
It was also a pleasant stop with all of the autumn colors and
enough snow to play in without having to go too far off of the highway.

Farther down the road, in an attempt to get some photos of the South Yuba River, I had to turn back. It was one lane scattered with snow. Trucks passed me by, for hunting I assume. Notably, it is bear and deer hunting season. But if you are on a drive and need to get out with the kids, even play in the snow, Sierra Discovery was a nice stop.

In regular hiking season conditions:

The Sierra Discovery Trail is well marked with signs
and a large parking on Bowman Road

1/2 mile off of Highway 20. Directions and details below.

This 12 foot waterfall on Bear River

has a large viewing platform with benches for seating.

This photo was taken late in a dry year,

but water releases can effect the flow. A better year of rain or

earlier in the season would be best times to go.

At the start of the trail is a

large gazebo with informational posters about

the area, vegetation, wildlife, geology, and history

of the trail including how it was built.

Wheelchair accessible

bathrooms at the trail head.

This is one of several sitting areas along the way

that is shady and inviting! Kids will love the waterfall view!

After crossing a boardwalk through a large meadow,
the trail comes to the river and this wonderful bridge leads to the loop.

Kids will love it!

Either direction takes you along the same loop, although the sign says to the right is easier.

Even in August, wildflowers can be found alongside the trail.

Throughout the trail there are informative signs and wonderful views.

The instructional signs along the way give insight into the various aspects of these
ecosystems, and can provide teaching moments with the kids.

Pondersoa Pines

Near the parking and the restrooms is a large picnic area near the "river"

and is situated in an excellent shady area.

Distance and Difficulty: .7 miles of easy trail

Driving Directions:

Take Highway 80. (East from the Sacramento area).
Exit at 161 (to Nevada City via Highway 20)
Head West on Highway 20, 4.3 miles (pass Lake Spaulding) to Bowman Lake Road. Turn right.
The parking for the Sierra Discovery Trail is .5 mile up Bowman Lake Road on your left. If you reach the bridge over South Yuba River, you have gone too far.

For more information: PG and E Recreation Area, (916) 386-5164

and the book:

California Waterfalls by Ann Marie Brown

*** Pioneer Trail is closeby. Although not for strollers and wheelchairs, kids would enjoy it.

If you continue up Bowman Road, again, before you cross the South Yuba,

there is a dirt turnout on your left with a trail marker at 39°21’57.97″N,

120°21’57.21″W for Pioneer Trail.

You can park there and hike through a thickly wooded moist area with water runoff creeks and even in summer is cool. Head northeast on an easy to see single file trail. It will take you out to the bridge. You may even find some ripe blackberries to snack on. If you choose to keep hiking cross the road, cross the bridge and at the northeastern end of parking you will find another trail marker heading into the woods again and uphill. I will post on Pioneer Trail soon, but just in case you visit Sierra Discovery Trail and want a little more, this can get you started.

Peachy Hiker

Trails in Northern California

Leave No Trace!

Directory

My Posts

About the Author

Peach's Bookshelf: Outdoors

July 25, 2015

Lyons and Sylvia Lakes in Desolation Wilderness July 2015