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| Lake Desolation from Spruces Trailhead | |
|---|---|
| Trailhead | Spruces Trailhead |
| Trailhead Elevation | 7,350' |
| Lake Elevation | 9,240 |
| Total Vertical | 2,000 |
| Skinning Distance | 3.7 miles |
| Lake Location | 40.6595° / -111.6024° |
| Online Map | View on wbskiing.com |
Skinning to Lake Desolation is an enjoyable journey with relatively low avalanche hazard. It's better viewed as an enjoyable trek in the mountains than as a skiing destination. If you choose to ski the slopes surrounding the lake, be aware that there have been numerous close-calls and avalanche accidents on the steep north-facing slopes.
Follow the directions to Mill D North Fork from the Spruces trailhead. After about 45 minutes to an hour the skin track splits at with the left fork going to Dog Lake and the right fork going toward Lake Desolation. There's a sign here, that is hopefully buried in snow, showing that it's 0.6 miles to Dog Lake and 1.9 miles to Lake Desolation. Take the right-branch toward Lake Desolation.
As the trail continues to Lake Desolation, it passes to the left of a large meadow that looks like a frozen lake. A trail branches to the left when you are midway along this meadow and heads toward Powder Park 1.
It is safest to stop on the near side of Lake Desolation, because avalanches from the steep north-facing slopes frequently spill across the lake. (Greg McIntyre died in an avalanche near here on April 2, 1979.)
Skiing back from Powder Park 1 or Lake Desolation can be a bit of a flatlander's slog. It's usually best to stay on or near the skin track until you're past the long meadow at which point you can drop to your left to sneak in a few turns. The skiing is sometimes better if you stay on the small, often crusty, sub-ridges and avoid getting sucked into one of the narrower gullies.
Lake Desolation can also be accessed from Beartrap Fork and Park City's 9990 chairlift.
About the name
Although plenty of publications call this Desolation Lake, it has been called Lake Desolation since at least the 1955 USGS map.
Beginner terrain
that is good as you develop your backcountry skills and when the avalanche danger is higher. Click for details.
Intermediate
terrain that requires more experience in skinning and skiing. Click for details.
Advanced terrain
that requires strong skiing and skinning skills. Click for details.
Expert terrain that is
challenging and a small mistake can have serious consequences. Click for details.
Extreme terrain
that includes insanely difficult chute skiing and beyond. Click for details.
The difficulty of this terrain
varies widely. Click for details.
This terrain hasn't
been rated. Click for details.
