Fontanillis Lake & Dicks Lake Backpacking

Desolation Wilderness

photo of East Lake, Desolation Wilderness, California
photo of East Lake, Desolation Wilderness, California

Fontanillis Lake & Dicks Lake Backpacking

Desolation Wilderness


Fontanillis Lake & Dicks Lake

Backpacking the Desolation Wilderness

For a convenient and enjoyable weekend outing, Fontanillis Lake and neighboring Dicks Lake make a great destination in the north Sierra Nevada. Only 5 miles from the Eagle Falls trailhead at Lake Tahoe's Emerald Bay, Fontanillis and Dicks lakes offer forested shorelines with secluded campsites and excellent fishing.

The two lakes are separated by only about a third of a mile. Both lakes press up against 9,374-foot Dicks Peak. Nearby are the Velma Lakes, a cluster of 3 great fishing lakes that draw the majority of campers who come up the trail from Tahoe.

Fontanillis Lake, Desolation Wilderness, California

Fontanillis Lake


Fontanillis & Dicks Lakes - Key Facts


Location: Desolation Wilderness, El Dorado County
Trailhead: Eagle Falls at Emerald Bay, 6,579 feet
Highest point on trail: 8,500 feet
Elevation Gain: 1,921 feet
Lake elevations: Fontanillis 8,285', Dicks 8,420'
Hiking Distance: 5.2 miles to Dicks Lake
Best seasons: Late spring through fall
Campsites: north shore of Dicks Lake, either end of Fontanillis Lake


sign to Fontanillis Lake, 5.2 miles


Wildlife

Bears are common enough that taking measures to protect your food is important. Bear canisters are the best choice, but there are trees for hanging your food with the counterbalance method.

A mountain lion was seen in 2018 lurking around Velma Lakes and causing some concern as it circled a group of four hikers. Eventually they were able to scare it off. Although mountain lions usually stay well clear of humans, on very rare occasions a bold lion will approach hikers. No sightings of cougars in the area have been reported since the 2018 incident.

Deer are spotted occasionally. Rattlesnakes are always a possibility, especially the farther you travel from the trailheads. Look for yellow-bellied marmots across the lakes on the rocks. Mosquitoes start buzzing around in early June and usually stay strong through early August. If the insects are annoying, find a more exposed campsite where you catch a breeze. Little pika can sometimes be seen scurrying around the rocks, collecting grass to line their burrows.

Fish - Brook trout in Fontanillis Lake, rainbow in Dicks Lake and the Velma Lakes.


Dicks Lake, Desolation Wilderness, California

Dicks Lake

Fontanillis & Dicks Lakes - Key Facts


Location: Desolation Wilderness, El Dorado County
Trailhead: Eagle Falls at Emerald Bay, 6,579 feet
Highest point on trail: 8,500 feet
Elevation Gain: 1,921 feet
Lake elevations: Fontanillis 8,285', Dicks 8,420'
Hiking Distance: 5.2 miles to Dicks Lake
Best seasons: Late spring through fall
Campsites: north shore of Dicks Lake, either end of Fontanillis Lake


sign to Fontanillis Lake, 5.2 miles

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Fontanillis Lake and Dicks Lake Trailhead:
Eagle Falls at Emerald Bay

Eagle Falls Picnic Area at Emerald Bay requires a $5 parking fee. In the summer and on weekends in spring and fall the area can be very congested. Public transportation is available from South Lake Tahoe and other places around the lake on Tahoe Transportation District buses.

At the Eagle Falls trailhead you will find a picnic area, restrooms, information kiosks, and self-service day-hiking permits. Overnight wilderness permits must be picked up at nearby ranger stations. Nearby Bayview Campground also serves as a trailhead for the area. Facilities for equestrians are available there.


Nearby Day Hikes


Nearby Camping and Lodging

Camping is available at three state parks near Emerald Bay - Sugar Pine Point State Park, D. L. Bliss State Park, and Emerald Bay State Park. At nearby Fallen Leaf Lake there is a large National Forest campground. (Recreation.gov - Fallen Leaf Campground ) Reservations are strongly recommended for campsites in the Tahoe area. Bayview Campground, however, is first-come, first-served.

Numerous accommodations are available around Lake Tahoe's south shore. Close to Emerald Bay is the popular Camp Richardson Resort with cabins for rent.