Middle Velma Lake Rock Formations, Desolation Wilderness.

Rock Turtles basking in Middle Velma Lake

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Backpacking Middle Velma Lake

Hiking the Pacific Crest Trail South through the Desolation Wilderness. Lunchtime!

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North: Pacific Crest Trail - Tahoe Yosemite trail junction

South: South of Middle Velma

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Trail Work on The Pacific Crest Trail North of Middle Velma Lake

Trail Feature: Wood Walk over Spring wet/creek spot

A section of Armor-Plated Trail necessary for High the high Density of hikers in the Desolation Wilderness.

Down the final steps to Middle Velma Lake

Elevation 7920 feet

We have a small drop in elevation, a loss of 160 feet over the .82 miles hiking South from the Tahoe to Yosemite trail junction with the Pacific Crest Trail to Middle Velma Lake.

Map

Next Climb: Dicks Pass

From Middle Velma Lake we are at the low point of our Southbound climb 1470 feet over the 4.51 miles up to Dicks Pass' elevation of 9630 feet, our second pass out of Meeks Bay.

But first we are going to have a long break and enjoy the beauties along the shore of Middle Velma Lake.

Map

Middle Velma Lake: Trail Information

Desolation Wilderness

Meeks Bay to Middle Velma Lake

Middle Velma Lake

Elevation: 7920 feet, -880' elevation decline from Phipps Pass

Mileage: 3.44 miles South of Phipps Pass. 12.32 miles South of Meeks Bay trail head.

Mileage: 16.39 miles South to Echo Lake trail head, 18.39 South to Echo Summit

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Backpacking to Middle Velma Lake


Looking across the seasonal pools to the main body of Middle Velma Lake

Late season low water forming beautiful pools along perimeter of Middle Velma Lake. Though grassy and moist, there were few mosquitoes during late September.

Gear Notes

Time for a hot lunch	My "HOP," or the Harness Of Pain. Notes on the Rig This is my mobile Joad Wagon. You know, from the Grapes of Wrath. Note the socks drying, shoes hanging off, big second food bag strapped on, the tripod, and the snack bag with today's hiking lunches. It may not be pretty, but it works! Regular Sock changes keep your feet, and your socks, fresh and dry. One pair is always bleaching in the Sun. The trip above carried food for 11 days, and the tripod to make this website, The huge food bag is holding six days of food, and a Garcia food canister is stashed in the bottom of the pack above the sleeping bag holding another 5 days of food. My sleeping pad is ready to be a seat pad, and the tripod is ready for deployment.

View from my lunch spot.

Time for a hot Lunch!

A few paces off the trail when the trail comes closest to Middle Velma Lake there is a fine lunch/camping site that you will see sitting alongside one of Velma's beautiful pools.

These pools were created by the decline in lake level late in the season. Early in the thaw these pools will be submerged, then later they will be bays, and at the end of the Summer they become pools isolated by the receding water.

The shaded seating around these pools is very relaxing place to have a long break, cook up some food and coffee, rest and re hydrate.

My Daily Hiking Plan calls for two lunches. The first is big snacks, consisting of cheese & crackers and dried fruits and nuts.

The second lunch is the great feast. I pull out the stove and cook up a real meal to restore all the calories I've burned, and chill out the body for at least an hour.

I re hydrate and pump up the water to cover the miles to my next watering hole.

Gear Notes

I've got to pull out the necessary gear and food for lunch.

My sleeping pad is first placed by a fine backrest, to make a very comfortable field chair with a commanding view of the scenery. This will be the center of my gear and food layout: everything will be within reach of this seat.

I fill up my water jug, and pull my external food bag off the pack, pictured above. This contains all the snacks and food I will consume on the trail that day, as well as holding a few day's food supply. I carried an 11 day food supply on this trip.

I pour enough water into my pan to heat for coffee and soup, then set up the water filter in the jug, also within reach, to pump fresh water as necessary.

Notice that I do not filter water at the lake, but use the light plastic container to bring a load of unfiltered water to my site.

I don't filter water that I am going to boil in camp, which is at least half the water I use. It's a complete waste of time and energy to filter all the water you bring to camp.

The stove comes out, the water goes on, and I sit down with everything I need within reach for a relaxing lunch.

North: Pacific Crest Trail /Tahoe Yosemite trail jnct South: South of Middle Velma

The Tahoe to Yosemite Trail at Middle Velma Lake

The Pacific Crest Trail backpacker passes directly by a series of pools off of Middle Velma Lake formed by the low level of the Velmas late in the season.

The Middle Velma Lake offers a nice place to drink a whole bunch of water, refill my water bottle, make a pack of Ramen Noodles, and have a nice cup of hot chocolate and coffee before continuing down the trail towards Fontanillis Lake, where I was thinking about spending my second night.

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Topo Hiking Map N: Lake Genevieve to Phipps Pass Topo Hiking Map S: Phipps Pass to Susie Lake

Miles and Elevations

Next page South: South of Middle Velma

Backpacking North

Trail Guide

Pacific Crest Trail /Tahoe Yosemite trail junction

Backpacking South

Trail Guide

South of Middle Velma