Picture this... hiking up the mountain next to a waterfalls that runs down in to Lake Tahoe...turn around and see the magnificent beauty of Lake Tahoe and the surrounding mountains...We will hike up through the mountains through alpine forests and granite peaks to glacially formed Velma Lakes.

Adventure Chart
Type: Backpacking Trip Difficulty: Beginner / Intermediate 6 miles/day with backpacks 2 days hiking   1 night wilderness camping Elevations between 6,600ft and 8,200ft Details: You should have backpacking and wilderness camping experience and be able to carry 30-40 lbs. over 6 miles.

The Velma Lakes are two crystal clear blue mountain lakes formed thousands of years ago by glaciers, surrounded by the mountain peaks around beautiful Lake Tahoe.  We will begin our trip on Lake Tahoe shores, and continue up a rushing creek that winds through the mountains toward our destination. 

We will pass by magnificent Eagle Falls, a destination in itself, that has some of the best views of Lake Tahoe looking back over Emerald Bay.  After enjoying the falls, we will continue to Eagle Lake, a great stopping point where we will sit on the shores to break for lunch.  Shortly after, we will continue to the quieter trails, up the Eagle Falls valley for the afternoon. 

After a great afternoon of hiking, we will arrive at the beautiful chain of mountain lakes known as Lower, Middle and Upper Velma Lakes where we will find our campsites between the shores of these two glacially formed lakes.  We will camp between breathtaking granite peaks surrounding for the evening, enjoying the breathtaking views, and taking a cool dip in the lakes to unwind from the day. 

While the distance of this trail (approx 5 miles) and the elevation difference (2,000ft) doesn't seem like much... Hiking with a full backpack at high elevation can be a new (and rewarding) experience.

Keep in mind that while visiting in the Summer, the nights will get cold and it is important to bring extra warm layers for the evenings and nights.  Hats and gloves are optional but if you tend to get cold easily, you might want to bring them along.

This is a cooperative trip. If you would like to join us for this amazing weekend, please have some camping experience or attend one of our backpacking clinics at the clubhouse. You should also be in decent physical condition. If you have any questions regarding this trip, contact the UD office.

The weather for this time of year will be upper 60's during the day and lower 30's at night. A detailed packing list will be provided after registration.

Schedule:

Friday

Friday we will leave the Bay Area behind and make the short trip to the shores of Lake Tahoe. It is roughly a 3 hour drive to South Lake Tahoe. We will set up camp and relax in order to prepare for our weekend in the wild. Be sure to grab some dinner on the road!

Saturday

We will rise early to get a jump start to the weekend. After organizing and distributing gear and food, we will drive to the Eagle Falls Trailhead. We will start out the day by traveling up the trail from the shores of Lake Tahoe, pass the scenic Eagle Falls (a destination on their own) and stop for some lunch along the way..  After a rest, some food, and time to enjoy the scenery, we will continue on up to Upper Lake Velma to enjoy the rest of the night.

Saturday Night

After arriving at our campsite, we are able to either relax around camp or take any additional hikes you may feel up for. Dinner will be prepared for you by the host as you watch the night fall over the lake.

Sunday

Price Includes:

• Host for the weekend
• 2 Nights Camping and Backpacking Permits
• Maps 
• Trail Snacks and lunch fixings
  
• An AWESOME Saturday dinner
• Breakfasts on Saturday and Sunday
• Group Gear (tarps, stoves, first aid kit)
• THIS IS A STAFF HOSTED EVENT
  

Attire: Dress in layers and wear hiking boots.