Desolate Peaks
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Desolate Peaks
Desolate Peaks is a peak bagging event held in Desolation Wilderness near South Lake Tahoe, California. Participants navigate an unmarked circuit of mountain summits and alpine terrain, moving mostly off trail across talus fields, granite ledges, scrambling sections, and creek crossings. Navigation and route finding are required.
The event offers three route options: 21 Peaks, 17 Peaks, and an 11 Peak Fun Run that finishes with a shuttle from Fallen Leaf. The full circuit includes named summits such as Mount Price, Agassiz, Pyramid Peak, Cracked Crag, Keith's Dome, Ralston Peak, Talking Mountain, Becker Peak, Flagpole Peak, Echo Peak, Angora Peak, Angora Peak, Cathedral Peak, Mount Tallac, Peak 9579, Dick's Peak, Jack's Peak, Little Pyramid, and several intermediate features listed as South Maggies, North Maggies, Phipps Peak, and No Name 9263. Drop bags are staged at Echo Lakes parking. The last bailout point is at Fallen Leaf trailhead.
The event is modestly supported with drop bag locations and is described as free and marginally supported, yet it is not a trail run. There is a 30 hour limit for completing the circuit; the fun run commonly takes between 11 and 20 hours. Only one person has completed the 21 Peaks course to date. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
