Backpack Desolation's Primitive Western Edge through Rockbound Pass

This 26 mile loop meanders through some of the most primitive trails in Desolation Wilderness. Starting from Wrights Lake, the route proceeds over Rockbound Pass, loops around several lakes, and returns to Wrights Lake. Not many hikers venture past the steep and rocky Rockbound Pass to enter this part of the wilderness which makes for a truly desolate experience. Along with passing tens of named and unnamed lakes, this route also offers the opportunity to summit Red Peak, a rocky extension of the Crystal Range. This loop can be done in two to three days depending on your time frame.

This hike is not for those without map and compass skills. The trail from Horseshoe Lake to Camper Flat is nearly nonexistent, with the exception of small cairns often a few hundred yards apart. We had a tough time locating the cairns, but as long as you have a map and can determine location through topography you should be fine!

Head to the Wrights Lake entrance, which is about 8 miles up Wrights Lake Road from Highway 50. At the trailhead follow the signposts to Rockbound Pass, which is about 6.5 miles away. The signposts are all clearly marked until Rockbound Pass. On the way up, you'll pass Maud Lake, which could be a great spot for camping about 4 miles in. After Modd Lake, 2 miles of steep switchbacks take you up to the pass.

After cresting the pass, you'll see views of Dicks and Jacks Peak, as well as Jacks Meadow. Right below the pass is Doris Lake, which is where we camped in our short 30 hour adventure. Less than two miles past Doris Lake is Lake Lois, which also has nice camping spots (although close to the trail), small but sandy beaches, and a historic dam. A bit more downhill brings you to Lake Schmidell, a large and iconic lake with lots of space for camping. From here, take the left fork to Leland Lakes. This leads you up a steep pass for .75 miles.

At this pass, you'll have the option to summit Red Peak. This peak is rather unattainable as a day hike since its difficult to access, so if you're up for a scramble give it a shot! A faint trail exists for the first five minutes and then a decently exposed rock scramble is required. Depending on your speed, summit should only take 20 to 40 minutes from this point as its only 700 feet. The views from Red Peak are epic, since you can see the full extension of the Crystal Range starting from Pyramid all the way down to the northern unnamed peaks.

After Red Peak and the pass, you'll meander through meadows and dried up stream beds for about 3 miles, passing by Leland and McConnell Lakes, until another signpost at Horseshoe Lake. At Horseshoe Lake, there is a signpost marking a trail that leads to Lake Zitella (if you're up for another excursion), although this isn't on the map.

Shortly after Horseshoe Lake, the trail disappears onto a large granite slab marked with cairns. At the bottom of this slab is a drainage area, where the trail cuts back south instead of continuing on north east. Pay attention to the map and topographic features here, because although cairns exist, they are small and seldom! After 2 miles or so, you'll arrive at 4-Q's Lakes, an iconic destination with lots of options for camping. From here, take the trail or bushwhack another mile until Camper Flat, where the trail picks up again.

At the Mineral Spring near Camper Flat, be sure to take the south west trail (Blakely Trail) back towards Lake Schmidell (Not the trail towards China Flat). Follow the well-marked Blakely Trail for 2.5 miles back to Lake Schmidell. From here, you can decide whether to camp at Lake Schmidell, Lake Lois, or Lake Doris based on available energy and time. Lastly, follow the same path through Rockbound Pass back out!