Hello Aaron,
I’m making this a regular blog post because WordPress won’t let me put links in the comments section. (I’m working on this!)
I went to the Cal Fire homepage for Northern California and looked at the latest incident report and the latest statewide map. There are no major fires around Desolation Wilderness, including the Sylvia Lake and Lyons Lake area. However, thick smoke can come in from many miles away, and there is a very large fire burning now near Yosemite National Park.
I suggest you contact the Pacific Ranger District of the Eldorado National Forest at 530-647-5415 and ask about conditions just before you leave home. You can also call the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, which has jurisdiction over much of Desolation Wilderness, at 530-543-2694.
It looks like you might live near Arcata on the coast. Consider hiking in the Cascades of southern Oregon. You’re more likely to have a smoke-free experience there, again depending upon wind directions.
How is the smoke situation in your area? I lived near Crescent City for a few years and well remember ash raining out of the sky from the Biscuit Fire in the summer of 2002.
John
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Thanks much for the response! I looked up some web-cams in the Tahoe area and the skies look clear. Also, I’ve heard that there are mostly clear skies in the Lakes Basin Area near Downieville & Grey Eagle. In the end, though, I think I am going to do a hike close to home — the Lost Coast. The skies are clear in Humboldt, but they do darken in Mendo and Sonoma Counties. Southern Oregon is a great suggestion, but I think it will result in too much travel for my friend who’s coming up from the Bay Area.
Twitter: @TheJohnSoares
The skies around Mount Shasta are clearing right now after two days of heavy smoke. My girlfriend and I are planning a wilderness outing this weekend and are weighing our options.
I really like your choice of the Lost Coast–what a beautiful and wild area! Have a great time and let me know how it goes.