Emerald Bay View – Upper Eagle Falls loop from Emerald Bay State Park
Emerald Bay View – Upper Eagle Falls loop from Emerald Bay State Park
4.6
(6503)
18,795
hikers
Emerald Bay View – Upper Eagle Falls loop from Emerald Bay State Park
02:20
7.83km
240m
Hiking
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.
Last updated: August 29, 2026
Tips
Your route passes through protected areas
Please check local regulations for:
Desolation Wilderness
Waypoints
Start point
Parking
Get Directions
65 m
Inspiration Point View of Emerald Bay
Highlight • Viewpoint
Tip by
2.01 km
Emerald Bay View
Highlight • Viewpoint
Tip by
2.78 km
View of Emerald Bay and Lake Tahoe from Eagle Loop
Highlight • Viewpoint
Tip by
3.04 km
Upper Eagle Falls
Highlight • Waterfall
Tip by
4.19 km
Eagle Lake (Desolation Wilderness)
Highlight • Lake
Dicks and Fontanillis lakes are separated by only about a third of a mile. Both lakes press up against 9,374-foot Dicks Peak. Nearby are the Velma Lakes, a cluster of 3 great fishing lakes that draw the majority of campers who come up the trail from Tahoe.
Eagle Falls Trailhead to Bayview Trail Junction, 2.7 miles
From the Eagle Falls trailhead the hike up to and across a bridge and then begin a steady climb. Stop half way up to catch a view of Emerald Bay. In less than a mile, a side trail splits off to Eagle Lake. Take the Velma Lakes trail.
Despite occasional dips and level spots, most of the hike is uphill, many parts of it with steps. After 2.7 miles arrive at a ridge top and an intersection with the Bayview trail.
Velma Lakes
Bayview Trail to Dicks Lake or Fontanillis Lake,
1.75 miles or 2.5 miles
Continue toward Velma Lakes for 0.7 miles until you spot a trail sign which points you toward Dicks Lake. The trail soon climbs again with switchbacks. Look for views of Velma Lakes to the north. After a mile you strike the Pacific Crest Trail. There, turn right, heading southwest. Very soon, where the trail loops back to the north, you will spy Dicks Lake off through the trees. Follow a short side trail to the lake. By continuing north on the main hiking trail for 0.75 miles you arrive at half-mile-long Fontanillis Lake. Both make excellent places to camp.
highsierratrails.com/fontanillis_dicks_lakes/trail.html
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desolation_Wilderness
Tip by
5.81 km
Eagle Falls Trailhead and View of Emerald Bay
Highlight • Trail
Tip by
7.83 km
End point
Parking
Way Types & Surfaces
Way Types
3.74 km
2.75 km
708 m
644 m
Surfaces
3.71 km
2.89 km
544 m
447 m
< 100 m
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Elevation
Highest point (2,140 m)
Lowest point (2,000 m)
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Weather
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Tuesday 1 September
19°C
10°C
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Our route recommendations are based on thousands of hikes, rides, and runs completed by other people on komoot.
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