There and Back Again: A Journey into Desolation Wilderness

On September 16, 2026, a fellowship made from the California Department of Water Resources' Division of Flood Operations and GEI environmental consultants embarked on a three-day mission within Desolation Wilderness to renovate the existing snow pillow station, Lake Lois, with a new Hinge Fold Tilt-Pole. No road access meant the team had to reach the site on-foot, which was an 18-mile roundtrip hike in designated wilderness that climbed 8,600-feet in elevation through forest, mountains, and steep rocky terrain. Wilderness regulations meant the team relied on approved helicopter support to deliver the heavy and sensitive equipment which couldn't be carried. Once the team reached their destination, they erected and calibrated a Hinge Fold Tilt-Pole, which replaces the old fallen structure, and ties into the existing Lake Lois snow pillow infrastructure to transmit snowpack and critical hydrometeorological data to the DWR California Data Exchange Center. The information from the snow pillow station is used for flood forecasting and water supply decision making.

This three-day excursion there and back was documented with photographs. Visit the photo gallery on DWR's Pixel account to see all of the stunning images.