Desolate Peaks
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Desolate Peaks
Desolate Peaks is a peak bagging event in Desolation Wilderness near South Lake Tahoe, with a trailhead at Twin Lakes in Kyburz, CA 95720. The event takes place in a mostly off trail alpine environment that includes talus fields, granite ledges, scrambling, and creek crossings. Routes are not marked and participants navigate between peaks using their own route planning and route finding. The overall cutoff is a 30 hour time limit for completing a chosen circuit. The 21 Peaks route has been finished by only one person.
There are three route options offered:
- 21 Peaks: original 17 plus 4 additional peaks (Lucifer's Frolic)
- 17 Peaks: the original route
- 11 Peak Fun Run: shuttle back from Fallen Leaf, skips peaks 12 to 17
Drop bags are staged at Echo Lakes parking. Fallen Leaf Trailhead is listed as the last bailout point. The sequence of peaks includes Mount Price, Agassiz, Pyramid Peak, Cracked Crag, Keith's Dome, Ralston Peak, Talking Mountain, Becker Peak, Flagpole Peak, Echo Peak, Angora Peak, Cathedral Peak, Mount Tallac, Peak 9579, Dick's Peak, Jack's Peak, and Little Pyramid, with several additional summits included in the optional Lucifer's Frolic extension.
Registration closes on August 15, 2026. The event is described as minimally supported and self navigated rather than a marked trail run. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
