The Lake Tahoe to Yosemite Trail begins at the Meeks Bay trail head and takes you 29 miles down the length of Desolation Wilderness within the Lake Tahoe Basin Administrative Unit. (LTBAU)
11.5 miles South of Meeks Bay the Lake Tahoe to Yosemite Trail joins the Pacific Crest Trail and the Tahoe Rim Trail just North of Middle Velma Lake in Desolation Wilderness.
From Middle Velma Lake Southbound backpackers follow this combined trail 17.5 miles to Echo Lake, where the Desolation Wilderness ends, though you continue South within the Lake Tahoe Basin Administrative Unit.
Two miles south of Echo Lake the Southbound backpacker enters the Meiss Country Roadless Area when passing through Echo Summit.
The PCT, Tahoe to Yosemite, and Tahoe Rim trails continue together through Echo Summit to Meiss Cabin, where the Tahoe Rim Trail turns Northeast towards Round Lake to follow the Eastern Shore of Lake Tahoe. The Tahoe Yosemite and Pacific Crest Trails continue South to the Carson Gap, where they part company overlooking the Carson Pass.
On both the Pacific Crest and Tahoe to Yosemite routes the Southbound Backpacker is exiting the Lake Tahoe Basin Administrative Unit just South of the Carson Gap. The PCT hiker will be entering the Toiyabe National Forest Administered section of the Mokelumne Wilderness, while the Tahoe to Yosemite backpacker will enter the El Dorado NF administered section of the Mokelumne Wilderness.
But first, both Southbound routes pass through the tiny Carson Pass Management Area on their respective routes.
If your backpacking trip South on the Pacific Crest Trail Route South from the Carson Pass Management Area should consult the Toyiabe National Forest.
The backpacker starting the Tahoe to Yosemite Trail South from the Carson Pass Management Ares should consult the El Dorado National Forest.
This Trail guide, besides covering the PCT between Lake Tahoe and Mount Whitney, also explores the Lake Tahoe to Yosemite Trail, the John Muir Trail, and the various trail options that parallel those routes between Lake Tahoe and Mount Whitney that you may find interesting. As you can see, backpackers have a lot of options between Lake Tahoe and Mount Whitney.
Starting South from Lake Tahoe
The Lake Tahoe Basin Administrative Unit is the permitting authority for all long distance backpacking trips originating from the Meeks Bay, Echo Summit, or the South Upper Truckee trail heads that are excellent options for beginning backpacking trips to Mount Whitney from Lake Tahoe. (view trailheads)
The LTBAU is a single authority and is not sub-divided into individual Ranger Districts, as are National Forests. Long-distance Southbound backpackers enter the LTBAU when they enter any part of the Tahoe Basin, or begin backpacking from any trail head in the Lake Tahoe Basin.
Heading Southbound on the Pacific Crest and Tahoe to Whitney Trails, backpackers remain in the LTBAU until they climb out of the Truckee Headwaters to reach the Carson Gap marking end of the Lake Tahoe drainage, and overlooking the Carson Pass and Highway 88. At that point backpackers are entering the El Dorado National Forest, Amador Ranger District.
Although parts of the LTBAU do not even require backpacking permits for trips within their limits, all long distance backpackers must obtain a valid permit from their trail head's Administrative Unit, the LTBAU in this case. This is required for legal travel down the trail after you exit the LTBAU and begin to pass through all of the subsequent Wildernesses and National Forests your happy feet will hike through on your way to Yosemite and on down to Mount Whitney. |