ActivitiesBackpackingGlen Alpine Trailhead
Glen Alpine Trailhead
South Shore, backpacking
In short: Glen Alpine Trailhead is a trailhead for backpacking in the Lake Tahoe area, on the South Shore. Known for: most popular Desolation entry; permit required; gilmore & Susie Lakes.
Where it is
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Details
- Most popular Desolation entry
- Permit required
- Gilmore & Susie Lakes
Day-use & overnight permit required
Conditions today
- Right now
- 72°F, Sunny
- Today
- High 72°, low 48°
- Wind
- 8 mph
- Campfires
- Metal rings only
- TomorrowPartly Cloudy, 10% chance of rain68° 45°
- ThuMostly Clear, 5% chance of rain74° 50°
- FriPM Storms, 75% chance of rain61° 44°
Know before you go
- Permits
- Overnight trips in Desolation Wilderness need a permit from Recreation.gov, and popular zones sell out for summer weekends. Spooner Backcountry needs no permit.
- Fires
- Campfires are not allowed in Desolation Wilderness. Bring a stove.
- Bears
- Store food and anything scented in a hard-sided bear canister, away from your tent.
- Trailheads
- Glen Alpine and the other main entry points fill early on summer weekends. Arrive early or start midweek.
More backpacking within 5 miles
- Dick's Peak via Velma Lakes3.2 mi, expert
- Bayview Trailhead3.8 mi
- Echo Lake Trailhead4.7 mi
Nearest campgrounds
- Fallen Leaf Lake Campground1.0 mi, 206 sites
- Camp Richardson — RV Village3.1 mi, 98 sites
- Emerald Bay — Eagle Point4.6 mi, 97 sites