Live map — zoom/pan freely; hover roads/routes for labels. Pin = camp point · roads by difficulty for the rig: █ Easy █ Moderate █ Caution █ Avoid/closed █ Unknown (USFS OML + OSM tracks) · yellow dots = camp/rec sites · fuel along route (● blue dot = Chevron) · live GPS (top-left) · route (toggle top-right; glows/pulses, thick): █ paved, then recolored by the difficulty of the road it follows offroad. Needs internet (tiles stream live).
Tier: van → trailhead → backpack (drive recon + car-camping ends at the
trailhead; the van stays while you hike in).
high ~8,000 ft. Moderate. Plan ~3 hr.
day-hike to Dicks Lake / Fontanillis · Sun hike out.
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The lakes: Upper, Middle, and Lower Velma sit at ~7,900–8,000 ft in the
northern Desolation — classic Sierra granite slabs and lodgepole, more *sheltered*
and tree-fringed than Aloha's open basin. Middle Velma is the gem: small
islands, clear water, the best swimming of the three and the prettiest camping.
Lakes to camp at: Middle Velma for the islands; Fontanillis and **Dicks
Lake just south are quieter. Eagle Lake** (only ~1 mi from the trailhead) is a
stunning quick-hit if legs or the permit run short.
Swim / fish: Middle Velma is a genuine swim lake midsummer; trout in all.
Best for: nearly the same granite-lake payoff as Aloha with more shade and
camp options — and a different Desolation zone (Middle Velma = 16, Lower = 17,
Eagle = 18) to chase if Aloha's locked up.
Easy 30 Moderate 2
vs your experience: hardest here is Caution — within your comfortable range (you've done Caution-rated roads)
USFS operational maintenance level. OML 2 = high-clearance = the van's sweet spot; OML 1 = scout first.
| When | Forecast | Temp | Precip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tonight | Mostly Clear | 54F | 0% |
| Tuesday | Sunny | 71F | 0% |
| Tuesday Night | Clear | 54F | 0% |
| Wednesday | Sunny | 69F | 0% |
Click a backup to expand its full analysis — layer-switch satellite (Esri/NAIP) with roads overlay, difficulty, legal roads, and conditions. Ranked by van-friendly access + camping + proximity; driving legs are real-road routed (OSRM). Bailout/regroup point: South Lake Tahoe.
nearest camp ~0.0 mi Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit easiness 0.77 · 38.98171, -119.95231
Getting there: home: 242.3 mi / 302 min bailout: 5.6 mi / 12 min primary: 16.1 mi / 31 min
Difficulty for rig: Easy 77 Moderate 2 Caution 1
Legal roads: 24 — CAMPGROUND SPUR L, ZEPHYR COVE CAMPGROUND, CAMPGROUND SPUR B, NEVADA BEACH CG SPUR D, BOAT PARKING, CAMPGROUND SPUR H, NEVADA BEACH CG SPUR F, CAMPGROUND SPUR A
Dry forecast — surface conditions likely stable.
No active wildfire perimeters within range.
nearest camp ~0.0 mi non-NF easiness 0.84 · 39.11371, -120.16001
Getting there: home: 251.9 mi / 303 min bailout: 24.9 mi / 41 min primary: 14.6 mi / 24 min
Difficulty for rig: Easy 59 Moderate 2
Legal roads: 11 — BLACKWOOD CREEK OHV STAGING AR, WM KENT SPUR B, KASPIAN CAMPGROUND, BARKER PASS ROAD, PAIGE MEADOWS ROAD, WM KENT SPUR C, WM KENT SPUR A, WILLIAM KENT CAMPGROUND
Dry forecast — surface conditions likely stable.
No active wildfire perimeters within range.
| Road | Designation | Season |
|---|---|---|
| BALDWIN BEACH SPUR | Roads open to highway legal vehicles only, Seasonal | seasonal |
| LAKE TAHOE VISITORS CENTER | Roads open to highway legal vehicles only, Seasonal | seasonal |
| TALLAC HISTORIC SITE | Roads open to highway legal vehicles only, Seasonal | seasonal |
| BAYVIEW CAMPGROUND | Roads open to highway legal vehicles only, Seasonal | seasonal |
| CAMP SHELLY CAMPGROUND A SPUR | Roads open to highway legal vehicles only, Seasonal | seasonal |
| CAHUILLA ROAD | Roads open to highway legal vehicles only, Seasonal | seasonal |
| INSPIRATION POINT VISTA | Roads open to highway legal vehicles only, Seasonal | seasonal |
| CAMP RICHARDSON CORRAL | Roads open to highway legal vehicles only, Seasonal | seasonal |
| OLD LUTHERAN CAMP | Roads open to highway legal vehicles only, Seasonal | seasonal |
| FALLEN LEAF CAMPGROUND SPUR C | Roads open to highway legal vehicles only, Seasonal | seasonal |
| WIYOT ROAD | Roads open to highway legal vehicles only, Seasonal | seasonal |
| BAYVIEW CAMPGR A SPUR | Roads open to highway legal vehicles only, Seasonal | seasonal |
| CATHEDRAL ROAD | Roads open to highway legal vehicles only, Yearlong | yearlong |
| FALLEN LEAF CG SPUR G | Roads open to highway legal vehicles only, Seasonal | seasonal |
MVUM is the legal authority for motorized use. Dispersed camping is generally allowed on NF land near open roads (commonly within ~150-300ft) unless the forest restricts it to designated corridors — verify on that forest's MVUM.
Free satellite imagery cannot resolve ruts, washouts, or rock ledges. Recent imagery is too coarse for road detail; high-res imagery is not current. Treat the visual analysis as terrain/route guidance, not a current trail report. Scout rough access in person.