Not that I’m exceptionally fast when I hike, but I keep a quicker pace in order to minimize exposure. But I fear that many hikers are as motivated by using their experience as an emblem of "wilderness validity" within their urban consumer lives, as they are motivated by the backpacking experience itself. Mileage sign at Echo Lake trailhead states: Aloha Lake 5 miles. Directly behind us is the actual lake, which is small but deep and frigid. And by that same rationale, you must take issue with every guidebook that’s ever been written about any tourist location around the world. I was pleased with being able to adapt using them rather than having to rely on rock climbing shoes. There’s just so much more downtime. A lake house built atop bare rock along Lower Echo Lake en route to Lake Aloha in the Desolation wilderness. And, the rich green needles of Jeffery Pines and old, gnarled Junipers provided even more visual contrasts. Other than occasional trail re-routes and seasonal variation in vegetative growth, everything basically remains untouched. The bleached granite stood out from the deep blue sky and lakes. THE ROUTE Step one in planning any backpacking trip is to choose where you're going. Echo Lake Chalet Resupply Service. I know the direct benefits of recreating on public land and encourage others to embrace it as well. This was because the ascent was steep and the underbrush was thick. During my first summer of living at Lake Tahoe I took a mountaineering course offered through Lake Tahoe Community College’s wilderness education program. Teach people how to recreate responsibly so that they don’t “love the place to death.” Show them where they should park and travel so that they don’t disrupt locals and their neighborhoods, for example. And instead of tenting tonight, I’ll be sleeping under the stars. At that point in my life I was not taking pictures, films, or writing a trail guide. Dogs are allowed, but keep them on leash and pick up after them. The course was a fantastic way in which to learn more about the new outdoor playground that I found myself living in. Desolation Wilderness is jointly administered by both the Eldorado National Forest and Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit. We performed gear checks and shuttled our cars between the exit and entry points. Currently I’m zipped up in my bivy sack and sweating like crazy! The the trail signs, on the other hand, don't change very often. Echo Summit, North: Lower Echo Lake South: Echo Lake to Echo Summit. I wasn’t feeling exceptionally great. The end of our Meeks Bay to Echo Lake trail segment is marked by our arrival at Echo Chalet. I couldn’t find many trip reports about this lake and what was the best way to get there. We moved slowly toward our way to the base of the buttress. I knew I wanted to cover ground I hadn't seen before, so after studying my trusty map and reading some online trip reports, I decided I'd pitch my tent by Lake Aloha for both nights. However, it still could’ve yielded catastrophic results had one of us slipped or tripped. comments and notes, Resupply information I woke up at 5AM thinking we were all going to rise at first light, but I was alone. I am so torn. After that, it would be necessary to utilize the boat taxi and hitchhike six miles back to the car. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. I located a steep slab at the edge of the lake and dove into the water a number of times. Knowing this, we kept our wits about us and arrived at Eagle Lake safely. Afterwards, we continued to push to the base of Eagle Lake Buttress for the remainder of the afternoon. Keeping people out doesn’t work, and it’s totally egocentric … “go ahead and shut the door behind me because I made it in.”. However, I never realized just how accessible everything was and how beautiful it all could be. However, we plan to take a day to hike up Pyramid Peak, and also take a side trip to the summit Dicks Peak. STOP GEOTAGGING. The crux of today’s route was definitely Eagle Lake Buttress. But the mosquitoes are so bad right now that I dare not open it up. I knew the Sierra Nevada Mountains existed well beyond the ridge line surrounding Lake Tahoe. I never really worry about theft from humans. Desolation Wilderness Trip Report: Echo Lakes Trailhead to Aloha Lake By Katey Hamill on Wednesday, October 14, 2020 Three days, four friends, ten lakes, two peaks, thirteen miles, and too many packets of oatmeal to count. The park strictly limits the number of people in the backcountry because the area has been a bit over-loved lately. In this case, it wasn’t the most difficult of climbs and it was a relatively short distance. So, he bought dehydrated black bean soup and red beans and rice soup. But we have panoramic views of the Crystal Range and Mosquito Pass. Hiking through Desolation Wilderness. ALWAYS Double-Check your (and my) mileages. So, I provide accurate information so that people can make appropriate decisions about recreating outdoors at Lake Tahoe. 28.71 miles South from the Meeks Bay Trailhead. With the permit in hand, the hike starts steadily 3.5 mile climb to the east side of Lake Aloha. Period. He cooked the mixture with slightly less water so that the paste was thick enough to spread over the tortillas. We began our hike to hill 9,686 (simply referred to by its elevation) at 9AM. Desolation Wilderness Hike to Dick’s Lake (1-3 Days) This Desolation Wilderness backpacking hike will take you through 12+ miles of beautiful scenery and alpine lakes! I looked at the beauty of the rock, water, and trail, and lamented the ocean of people who covered them. But there the rubble was a result of years of extensive copper mining. Today’s hike was more strenuous than yesterday’s and my sleeping accommodations are better. This is always nerve-racking and difficult, especially when it’s the last major obstacle to overcome. Also, the frequent stops leave me exposed longer which seems to lead to a greater need to drink water. The walls allowed the lake to retain more water than it naturally would. Rick knew her so she stuck around to chat. The last time I was here was over 10 years ago. See more ideas about wilderness… Basically, we needed to scramble down steep angles of scree. 6 h 14 m. The hike to Lake Aloha is the ultimate day hike in Desolation Wilderness. Cradled in a lush valley below jagged, granite peaks, the glacially sculpted Echo Lakes basin offers ideal opportunities for novice and seasoned backpackers alike to camp overnight in one of Lake Tahoe’s most scenic backcountry destinations. I was most annoyed on company or battalion level “forced marches.” Since everyone has their own rhythm and pace, it’s just so challenging to keep everyone organized. We’ve managed, however, to have enough food. Lake Aloha Trail is a 13 mile heavily trafficked loop trail located near Echo Lake, California that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as difficult. A friend drove me into the upper parking lot, which was packed with cars. Then he combined both in Ziplocs. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round. Rinsing off before calling it a night always helps me relax and sleep more soundly. The following is the journal that I kept during the trip. Once we started hiking, I was amazed by the stark contrasts. I’ve noticed that during this trip my water and calorie consumption has increased way beyond my norms. RECOMMENDED ROUTE Difficult. Unlike Aloha, which is filled with granite slabs from which to navigate without slipping, slimy rocks lined Tamarack Lake. That's an excellent trend. My ankles definitely got a workout. That was slow going because there was a section near the “Throne of Valhalla” that required some actual climbing. This is incorrect according to my measurements and experience. ), I never went back to Desolation until 2009. Per the Associates Program Operating Agreement I must disclose the following statement: “As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.”, Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window), Backpacking in Desolation Wilderness: Echo Lakes to Emerald Bay (Trail Journal & Data), I hiked all through the mountains and forests toda, I barely had time to raise my camera (hence the sl, The Tahoe Big Year is underway! Once Rick arrived, he placed a fixed line for people to rappel using the Dulfersitz method. Especially if and when wilderness travel becomes an actual part of an urban individual's value system and lifestyle. I wasn’t a huge fan of the experience, however. Alternatively, I could make the trek up beside the cascade, then cut over past Lake of the Woods and exit at Echo Lake. There were also man made retaining walls, allegedly constructed sometime during the 1920/30s. Provide appropriate information regarding their proposed endeavor so that they can plan and prepare accordingly (and not become a drain on local emergency services or destroy sensitive lands). ... Pyramid Peak, 9984', highest in Desolation Wilderness. The 63,000 acre Desolation Wilderness situated just West of Lake Tahoe is a hiker’s paradise. My face took a beating from the sun since we spent much of the day on Eagle Lake Buttress. The taxi costs $12 round trip. Instead of wasting time, energy, and valuable resources on trying to keep people out, I’d much rather work toward encouraging people to develop a healthy love for the outdoors. The pain eventually subsided thanks in part to being able to swim a couple of times. As far as food goes, this trip has worked out perfectly. But Lower Velma Lake was stunning and offered cool, refreshing water. Begin walking on the paved path (next to the water taxi dock and Echo Chalet). This means packing out all your trash and camp at least 100 feet from any lake … Lake Aloha Trail. Besides, we had the rope so it really wasn’t a big deal to tie up. All rights reserved. For all of your Desolation Wilderness excursions, I highly recommend using Tom Harrison’s Map of Desolation Wilderness. The Echo Lake Chalet also has a store and deli. Time to eat! Price. At Echo Lakes there is a boat taxi operated in the summer by Echo Lakes Resort cuts three miles off your trip. Consider taking the water taxi (in season roughly July through Labor Day weekend) to make this journey shorter and easier. Once you're on the taxi, it will take you across Lower and Upper Echo Lake, which is approximately 2.5 miles, dropping you off at the Pacific Crest Trail. Your Online Resource for Hiking, Backpacking, Cross-Country Skiing, and Snowshoeing at Lake Tahoe. hard (768) Length: 13 mi • Est. But, we still had miles to cover before completing our journey. Your ultimate Lake Aloha hiking guide for Desolation Wilderness near Tahoe, both for day hikes and backpacking trips, from a local! Tallac, Bayview, Eagle Lake and Meeks Bay. I remember climbing on similar rock when I was a child living in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. We summited Dick’s Peak early in the day. And, many of the guys struck up conversation with me, inquiring about my work and from where I came. I miss it. Today it seemed like I didn’t (again!) Nature, and backpacking are ultimately what we make out of it. Your guide to the High Sierra Crest, including the Tahoe to Yosemite, Pacific Crest, and John Muir Trails, © Lake Tahoe to Mount Whitney: Crown Jewel of the Pacific Crest Trail. gear and hiked the short miles over to Lake Le Conte. This means people driving and wandering all over the place in a potentially destructive manner. We took a short break on hill 9,686 and then proceeded to traverse the ridgeline leading to Pyramid Peak. Tahoe Trail Guide and its contributors are not liable for property loss or damage, personal injury, or death. Desolation Wilderness is accessed through 13 trailheads: Loon Lake, Van Vleck, Rockbound, Twin Lakes, Lyons Creek, Pyramid Creek, Ralston Peak, Echo Lake, Glen Alpine, Mt. Information board at the Echo Lake trailhead. Day 1 Echo Lake to Lake … Surprisingly, the water was cool rather than ice cold despite the lake being a drainage for snowmelt. On my last trip across the length of Desolation Wilderness I emerged from Desolation Wilderness through the Lower Echo Lake trailhead on September 17, 2009. Being in the group today was probably one of the contributing factors to my miscalculation of water needs. I’ve posted at the end of the story a map of our route and basic trail data and considerations from the backcountry adventure. There is ample parking above the marina and you even have the option of taking a water taxi across the echo lakes to cut off around 2.5 miles of the hike. Rather, your gear becomes a prime target for critters, which can easily chew their way through your stuff. Meeks Bay to Echo Summit Essentially, there are two diametrically opposed schools of thought regarding over-tourism: 1) impose martial law and keep everyone out; 2) or, let everyone in but with the appropriate information and education. Your safety is your responsibility. The Echo Lake Chalet is an important resupply point for Northbound backpackers on the Pacific Crest Trail, though it is not as important for Southbound Tahoe to Yosemite hikers. The specific route from Echo Lakes to Emerald Bay is a standard and popular point-to-point backpacking route based on the convenient trailheads. Prior to leaving our Lake Aloha campsite this morning, I swam for about 30 minutes. Everyone except Mathew, who I befriended in the first half of the mountaineering course, is older than I. 0 miles to the Echo Lake Trailhead. I appreciated their interest and including me in their conversation. I considered cowboy camping tonight. It had been a long time since I had pushed myself that hard, and knowing that I could still hang was satisfying. Your first summers here and your writing about local secrets and creating more traffic then the mountains can handle. The other option of saving public land is akin to contraception in that you promote education and mitigation of risk. Mostly because we didn’t use ropes and hadn’t truly considered the consequences. The trail leading up to the summit was difficult because the majority of it took us over busted rock. And, I believe most of the guys are married. Backpacking Miles and Elevations, Echo Lake Chalet Backpacker Resupply Page, Approaching the Lower Echo Lake trailhead and Marina, Echo Lake Trailhead South L…, CA. North: Echo Lake 2 South: Echo Lake to Echo Summit. Situated on the southern end of Desolation Wilderness, Mount Ralston offers great south-facing and north-facing terrain. So glad I set up the tent. You could easily hike the Pacific Crest Trail/Tahoe Rim Trail north to an intersection just past Dick’s Lake. Length 13 miElevation gain 1889 ftRoute type Loop (This seems to be a bit of a theme this summer!) No matter. So I swam mostly to avoid getting eaten alive. The early morning swim was a fantastic way to start the day. During the winter months, most of the trailheads are covered by snow and are not accessible. Both the 2,650 mile Pacific Crest Trail and the 165 mile Tahoe Rim Trail share an approximately 22 mile segment of absolutely stunning trail through this br… You'll need to self-issue a permit for day-use in Desolation Wilderness at the trailhead. The 66.52 miles between Meeks Bay and the Lake Alpine Lodge on Highway 4 make using the Echo Lake Chalet as a resupply point optional for Southbound backpackers on either the Pacific Crest Trial or Tahoe to Yosemite Trail. Mathew couldn’t find any bulk dehydrated refried beans before the trip. Distance: 11.3 miles roundtrip Difficulty: Moderate Type: Day hike or 2- to 3-day backpacking trip Elevation gain: 2200 feet feet High point: 8350 feet Season: July to October, or earlier in years with low snowfall Contact: Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit People tend to check out after they complete the hard parts. In both classes, I learned new mountaineering skills, met good friends (one of which I still routinely maintain contact), and just developed a greater appreciation for my backyard. Before you start this hike make sure you have an overnight wilderness permit. Contact the Echo Lakes Chalet for more information: (530) 659-7207. Then, we made our way to the trailhead at Lower Echo Lake, which is on the southeast end of Desolation Wilderness. Slabs from which to navigate without slipping, slimy rocks lined Tamarack Lake of. For staging a base camp is good that backpacking is stylish, then! Underbrush was thick latter approach, which is filled with granite slabs from which to navigate slipping. About acquiring permits the rock, water, and trail, and knowing that I had spent nights! Strenuous than yesterday ’ s the last time I was here was over, ’! Conversation with me, it was a child living in soon as day... 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( 530 ) 659-7207 remains untouched to embrace it as well Chalet ) from there was! Significant segment of consumers and lifestyle but that feeling also can cause you to take more risks Lakes! Visited Wilderness areas in the backcountry robust journal ever since thru-hiking the Appalachian trail my tent be in cooking... Abstinence is 100 % effective, but I prefer to keep them at consistent.
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