Desolation Wilderness is located just to the west of Lake Tahoe, and to the north of Highway 50 in El Dorado County, California. At 63,960 acres it is roughly half the size of Lake Tahoe. The area has been protected since 1931 when it was designated as a Primitive Area, and it became a part of the Federal Wilderness system in 1969. Characterized by large expanses of open granite, deep forests, towering peaks, and of course, many enchanting lakes. For more information visit the Forest Service Desolation Wilderness page.

About Me

I grew up on the north shore of Lake Tahoe with a view of the eastern peaks of Desolation Wilderness from my childhood home. Over the years I have lived in many places, but walking and exploring the mountains is where I feel the most at home. A peace and a contentedness that I cannot find in other places or pursuits fill me when I set foot on a trail leading to a lake or peak. My goal is to visit and photograph each of the named lakes within the Desolation Wilderness boundaries and publish those photographs here for those who are interested. For more about the beginnings of the project see "A Damp, Drizzly November.”

Contact Me

Feel free to reach out with questions comments or to share your Desolation experiences: e-mail mike@mikemullenphotography.com

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