Fontanillis Lake & Dicks Lake Trail and Map

Desolation Wilderness

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

Fontanillis Lake & Dicks Lake Trail and Map

Desolation Wilderness


Fontanillis Lake & Dicks Lake Trail

Map

The most direct trail to Fontanillis Lake and Dicks Lake is shown on the map below, but several variations are possible. The short loop over to Middle Velma Lake is worth the extra time. Starting from the old Bayview Campground (now closed to camping) is not much different from using the Eagle Falls trailhead.

Eagle Falls Trailhead to Bayview Trail Junction,
2.7 miles

From the Eagle Falls trailhead, hike up to and across a bridge and then begin a steady climb. Stop part way up to catch nice views of Emerald Bay. In less than a mile, a side trail splits off to Eagle Lake. Continue on the trail marked for Velma Lakes.

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Discounting occasional dips and level spots, most of the hike is uphill, many parts of it with steps. After 2.7 miles arrive at a ridge top and an intersection with the Bayview trail.

Emerald Bay, Lake Tahoe, CA

Emerald Bay and Lake Tahoe

Bayview Trail to Dicks Lake or Fontanillis Lake,
1.75 miles or 2.5 miles

Continue toward Velma Lakes for 0.7 miles until you spot a trail sign which points you toward Dicks Lake. The trail soon climbs again with switchbacks. Look for views of Velma Lakes to the north. After a mile you strike the Pacific Crest Trail. There, turn right, heading southwest. Very soon, where the trail loops back to the north, you will spy Dicks Lake off through the trees. Follow a short side trail to the lake. By continuing north on the main hiking trail for 0.75 miles you arrive at half-mile-long Fontanillis Lake. Both make excellent places to camp.


Middle Velma Lake, Desolation Wilderness, California

Middle Velma Lake

Editor's 2 Cents


Water Filters

To avoid the risk of getting sick, most Sierra backpackers filter or treat their drinking water. Sawyer Water Filters are popular because of their light weight and ease of use. Most hikers use the Sawyer. However, the bags they provide have been susceptible to developing leaks. As a backup, some soft-sided water bottles such as the Platypus will thread onto the filter and work just as well. Or for a better system, read below.

First purchase this cheap little popular attachment: Sawyer Products SP150 Coupling which allows users to connect the Sawyer filter directly to a clean water container such as a Platypus or other compatible narrow opening water bottle.

Then, complete the system by purchasing a popular 3L Vecto Water Container by CNOC Outdoors. Use this instead of the leak-prone bags provided by Sawyer for the "dirty" water to be filtered. Fill the bag with creek or lake water and then screw the Vecto bag on the top of the Sawyer filter. Attach a clean water bottle on the bottom of the Sawyer filter (using the coupling) and firmly roll up the Vetco bag, forced the water through the filter. Most thru hikers on the Pacific Crest Trail use this system. Click the link above and watch the How to Use the Vetco video on their website.

The SteriPen uses UV light to kill the germs. The SteriPen Adventurer has become popular because it is more reliable than earlier models.

Those who use the SteriPen, or any other filter system, are wise to carry a backup such as Potable Aqua Water Treatment Tablets.


Editor's 2 Cents


Water Filters

To avoid the risk of getting sick, most Sierra backpackers filter or treat their drinking water. Sawyer Water Filters are popular because of their light weight and ease of use. Most hikers use the Sawyer. However, the bags they provide have been susceptible to developing leaks. As a backup, some soft-sided water bottles such as the Platypus will thread onto the filter and work just as well. Or for a better system, read below.

First purchase this cheap little popular attachment: Sawyer Products SP150 Coupling which allows users to connect the Sawyer filter directly to a clean water container such as a Platypus or other compatible narrow opening water bottle.

Then, complete the system by purchasing a popular 3L Vecto Water Container by CNOC Outdoors. Use this instead of the leak-prone bags provided by Sawyer for the "dirty" water to be filtered. Fill the bag with creek or lake water and then screw the Vecto bag on the top of the Sawyer filter. Attach a clean water bottle on the bottom of the Sawyer filter (using the coupling) and firmly roll up the Vetco bag, forced the water through the filter. Most thru hikers on the Pacific Crest Trail use this system. Click the link above and watch the How to Use the Vetco video on their website.

The SteriPen uses UV light to kill the germs. The SteriPen Adventurer has become popular because it is more reliable than earlier models.

Those who use the SteriPen, or any other filter system, are wise to carry a backup such as Potable Aqua Water Treatment Tablets.



map of trail to Fontanilli Lake and Dicks Lake, Desolation Wilderness, California

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