Some friends and myself just spent the last two days hiking into the desolation wilderness part of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, near Lake Tahoe, Ca. Up Wright’s Lake road you go until you’ve reached a top-of-the-world mountain spot called Wright’s Lake. There are some hiking trails that extend you further into the nearby mountains, placing you at various lakes beneath these craggy skyscrapers, just west of Pyramid peak. We spent a night at Hemlock Lake, a beautiful little destination spot in this area for hiking and overnight camping. I hurrah this pristine little lake for variety of excellencies: first, the fishing was bountiful, and a respectful fisherperson will find themselves a tasty dinner amongst the wildlife jumping at the water’s surface. Second, there is a half-rushing waterfall that cascades from higher-up snowmelt, feeding down into the lake. A short jaunt and slopey climb will catch you some of the prettiest vista-views this side of the Sierras has to offer. Surrounding both the waterfall and lake are gorgeous Jeffrey sugarpines. Put your face close to its rutty bark, and you will want to lick the delicious smell of these trees(especially for a hungry hiker). All this, but don’t count on any time to sit and meditate. Half of the exercise I got out of this trip was from slapping and dancing around the mosquitos that inhabit the lush little 8500-foot lake. I won’t complain, since it’s not my place to judge nature, but I do largely suggest that you bring with you some sort of repellant. We used garlic cloves, which worked surprisingly well. But if nature’s comfort is what you’re looking for, mosquitos are only a necessary part of this package. I say, take the trip. Even if you don’t like the remarkable hike or lake, there’s enough camping spots and high-mountain lakes in this area to keep you and your family/friends packing here for for years to come!
