I think the proximity to Lake Tahoe, plus being very close to the Sacramento area and not far from Bay Area make it less desolate. But I've been on hikes there where I've seen few others.Doesn't sound very desolate to me. Cool spot though
Cool photos @splitter!
Maybe you could post some of your work in this thread... https://www.skitalk.com/threads/desolation.24307/