Shadow Lake Trail
Distance 2.0 miles (plus 0.8 mile to Highland Trail Trailhead, plus an additional 0.9 mile to the locked gate at the Van Vleck Trailhead, i.e. total distance from parking area is 3.7 miles); Difficulty moderate; Elevations: 6,960’-7540’-7,260’; Note initial Highland Trailhead is 6,720’ and Van Vleck Trailhead is 6,520’); No motorized vehicles permitted; Wilderness Permit, available at Trailhead, is required.
...lies on the northwest side of the Wilderness and the boundary was bent to leave the lake outside of the boundary.
...sits in the morning shadows of Tells peak under its northwestern flank.
DESCRIPTION:
There are two “Shadow Lakes” associated with Desolation Wilderness. The popular one with good trail access and nice sized fish is within the proclaimed wilderness area near the headwaters of Meeks Creek above the west shore of Lake Tahoe. However, this Shadow Lake lies on the northwest side of the Wilderness and the boundary was bent to leave the lake outside of the boundary. Apparently, the trail does just nick into the Wilderness boundary, and a Wilderness Permit is required.
This west slope lake is the uppermost, named lake in the headwaters of the South Fork of the Rubicon River. The lake sits in the morning shadows of Tells peak under its northwestern flank. Although this is the least rugged and less spectacular part of the Desolation Wilderness, this corner of the Wilderness is still lovely and one of the slightest used areas within the Wilderness. The lake lies in a comparatively gentle, forested mid-slope of the South Fork Rubicon. Until recently, the area was mostly privately owned, and until a recent land exchange by the Eldorado National Forest, the forested areas below the Wilderness were selection-cut logged. Just above here the forest thins and the massive granites within The Desolation Wilderness stretch east to the Sierra Crest.
Once it departs from the Highland Trail, the Shadow Lake Trail is rough and rather steep as it follows a primitive cow trail. It climbs rather steeply at 15%-20% (a good trail grade should top out at 7% with pitches to 10%--welcome to our Sierra Nevada). Take a good map, preferably topographic. Some would suggest carrying a compass.
This is an especially nice outing using the Van Vleck Bunkhouse accommodations available as a rental through the Forest Service.
The Shadow Lake Trail itself begins as a trail junction off the Highlands Trail about 0.8 miles east of Highlands’ trailhead. The Highlands Trailhead is 0.9 miles up an old road north of the parking area at the Van Vleck Trailhead. The Highland Trail continues up the southern flank of Tells Peak to Forni Lake and then scrambles onto the top of the peak itself.
Partial mountain bike option: Shadow Lake Trail crosses an old logging road nearly 0.4 mile above the Highland Trail junction. That road #13N22K joins the main road just north of the old airstrip that lies to the east side of the road that accesses the Highland Trail Trailhead. We rode our mountain bikes up those two roads until we crossed the Shadow Lake Trail. From there the 1.6 miles walk begins.
Directions continued from below:
A recently constructed link continues the paved Wentworth Springs Road FS#1 from Georgetown further east until it ties into the Ice House Road FS#3 a short distance north of the Robbs Saddle. At the T-intersection turn right (south) and follow Ice House up to Robbs Saddle. Georgetown and Wentworth Springs Road are the quickest way to access the Crystal Basin and the Van Vleck area from northern foothill towns like Auburn.
To reach the trail(s): At the Tell’s Creek gate, follow the primitive road for about 0.5 miles north to a Y-intersection. Go left and follow this road another 0.4 miles to a weather station. The Highlands Trail begins here and goes right (east). Follow the Highlands Trail about 0.8 miles east to the Shadow Lake Trailhead junction which is signed by posts and sits shortly east of the first significant creek drainage the trail encounters.
Head north up the old cattle trail for about 2.0 miles to Shadow Lake.
DIRECTIONS:
To Shadow Lake Trail
To reach the Van Vleck Trailhead: From Highway 50 turn north up the Ice House Road FS#3 just east of the major bridge that crosses the South Fork American River. Drive about 20 miles north on paved Forest Road FS#3 to Robbs Saddle. At this well-signed intersection turn right (east) on the Cheese Camp Road FS#36 and follow it east about six miles. Continue by the large corral on the right for about 500 yards and you’ll reach the locked Gate at Tell’s Creek where the blocked, access road to the Highland Trail Trailhead begins. Continue driving past the gate, take a right and drive 300-400 yards past the gate. Trailhead parking and primitive camping areas are available.
ACTIVITIES:
Equestrian Trail Riding (Rating: Best)
Suitable trail with some moderately steep grades within the last two miles to the lake. Pleasant ride to a quiet lake that lies outside of the proclaimed Wilderness boundary, but the trail apparently tracks a short distance within the Desolation Wilderness. Wilderness Permit available at the trailhead is required.
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This is an especially nice outing using the Van Vleck Bunkhouse accommodations available as a rental through the Forest Service.
Hiking - Dayhikes (Rating: Best)
Sits just under the shadows of Tells Peak within the Crystal Mountain Range and the Desolation Wilderness.
About 1.6 miles of moderately difficult hiking, the rest rates as easy.
Hiking - Backpacking (Rating: Best)
Sits just under the shadows of Tells Peak within the Crystal Mountain Range and the Desolation Wilderness. About 1.6 miles of moderately difficult hiking, the rest rates as easy.
