Day 2 of our Desolation Wilderness backpacking trip starts out where we left off at Tamarack lake. The crest of the Sierra Nevada runs through it, just west of Lake Tahoe. So, on an early Thursday morning in mid-July, I set out to the highly touted Echo Lakes. Your ultimate Lake Aloha hiking guide for Desolation Wilderness near Tahoe, both for day hikes and backpacking trips, from a local! It's located in California, United States.The Tamarack Trail is no longer maintained. Note: you need to get a wilderness permit from recreation.gov for this trip. Thrilling when the boat slows in narrow channel between upper & lower Echo lakes. This very steep trail is only for experienced and confident hikers (see USFS warnings). The drive was smooth and there were very few cars on Highway 50 heading up into the mountains. Directions Directions: Though you can reach Tamarack Lake from many trails in Desolation Wilderness, the easiest is from Echo Lakes. Using some rocks and sleeping pads to block the wind, we were able to get some water boiled for a nice, warm dinner. The wind was gusty and kept changing direction. After taking a couple pictures at the dam by the outlet of Echo Lake, we headed out. Instead of just following the trail down the rocky and steep (and no longer marked on Desolation Wilderness trail maps) “Tamarack Trail”, we jumped off it to another trail that climbs up to an overlook on the top of Angora Ridge. A look back at Echo Lakes from the trail toward Desolation Wilderness. The hike up was less than 4 miles with an elevation gain of less than 1,000 feet ( you start high). Check out my article on Ralston Lake for more photos and details. The trail from lower Echo Lake leads past upper Echo Lake and to the doorway of Desolation Wilderness. Continue down another 1/2 mile and make a left onto Echo Lakes Road which will take you all the way to Echo Lake. It’s less than a 1/2 mile from Tamarack and it’s definitely worth the visit. Trout Removal from Ralston Lake, Cagwin Lake, Tamarack Lake. The morning was cold and windy. The trailhead to the end of the Upper Echo Lake is about 2.65 miles and is also known as “The Scenic Trail”. This trail also provides access to other popular destinations like: Tamarack Lake, Ralston Lake, Lake Aloha and Lake of the Woods. Echo Chalet is a seasonal resort opened from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Hiking is a very popular activity around Echo Lakes even when the Echo Chalet isn’t open. Ralston Lake is like a little wading pool for Ralston Peak. Tahoe to Yosemite backpackers continue South. I’ve been to Lake Tahoe over 100 times and I am very familiar with the views at Echo Summit. There were already more than 10 tents spread around the wooded area on the east side of the lake. Once we were out of the thick forest, navigation became easier. The trail follows the north side of the the upper and lower lakes in the shadow of Echo Peak but then it begins to climb after Tamarack Lake. Unfortunately for us, they opened for backpacking on the 5th, which meant we needed to find an alternate trip.Â. The boat ride was only about 15 minutes. But the views were amazing. The trail does split at roughly 3 miles and you can head left toward Tamarack Lake or right toward Lake Aloha. We laid down on the sunny rocks for a while to let our shoes dry out. After a short while on the PCT, we turned right and headed down toward Glen Alpine. 570 ft elevation gain. This area is less than 10 miles away from South Lake Tahoe. ... Take the Tamarack Trail out, which I really can’t recommend. It’s hard to rely on the cairns because they can be confusing at times as well. Even though I had one of the most comfortable campsites in a long time, I wasn’t able to get a good night’s sleep. Day 2: Glen Alpine trail to Glen Alpine Trailhead, Tamarack Trail to Tamarack Lake.Day 3: PCT / TRT back to Echo Lakes Trailhead. The gray granite gave way to dark black and red-tinted rock. The services located at Echo Lake are seasonal and are open from Memorial Day through Labor Day. All of them have unique charm, photographic appeal and are definitely worth checking out. Even on a Thursday morning, we met a constant stream of other hikers out enjoying the early summer weather. From its top there are a number of small pretty lakes within easy walking distance (assuming you get an early start). It was about a 1/2 mile to 3/4 of mile from this point to the lake. My goal is to inspire you to get out there and explore this amazing state. The Tamarack Trail is very strenuous, and can be difficult to follow in places. Additionally, the high ridges of granite made me feel like I was in an old Western film where bandits with handkerchiefs around their faces were going to jump out and rob me at gun point. It’s located directly at the base of Ralston Peak and is absolutely inviting for a swim. However, it’s still a bit challenging. Heading back toward Echo Lakes. Permits are required to hike in the Desolation Wilderness (n/c) & are available at both upper/lower Echo lakes. The boat ride back was pleasant. The wind was still for minutes, then all of a sudden, you could hear the wind pick up in the treetops. In fact, it was on this trail where I decided to do a photo gallery titled Cabin Life because of how lovely these cabins were alongside the lake. I arrived at the Echo Chalet parking area by 6:45am. In the beginning, the trail to Tamarack Peak is the same as the trail to Relay Peak. Heading to the right will take you to Lake of the Woods and Aloha Lake. Desolation Wilderness sign. The cold wind made us retreat into the relative warmth of our tents before the sun had fully set. The snow was slushy in the warm summer sun, but it held firm under our feet. Echo Lakes to Susie lake via Lake Aloha. Tamarack Lake, Triangle Lake, Lilly Lake to Fallen Leaf and the Water Taxi to Echo Chalet. I didn’t make the side trip down, only admired it from above. Unlike all the other trails we’d been on, the Tamarack Trail wasn’t graded for equestrian use. The night was surprisingly warm. We had a permit for June 4. We stopped for lunch halfway through the climb. Thanks Andrew! 2,160 ft elevation gain. As we got higher, we started getting a great view of the lakes below us. The lingering snow on the surrounding mountains made for some stunning scenery. It was a good 75 minute drive from my home near Sacramento. If you missed day 1 you can check it out here.We ended day 1 calling it a night early due to the mosquitoes which made it easy for an early wake up time in the morning. We arrived at the trailhead a bit before 11 and got our gear in order. Echo Lake, also commonly referred to as Echo Lakes, is typically frozen during the winter due to its elevation of over 7,400 feet. Drive 1.8 miles east on Highway 50 past Sierra at Tahoe Ski Resort and look for the brown Berkeley Camp/Echo Lake sign and make a left. Rested and full of calories, we climbed over the pass. This is a day hike up from the Mount Rose Summit parking area. Since this is a hike into Desolation Wilderness, you will need a day permit (free at the trailhead) and the group size limit is 12. Trail map: Lake Aloha, Ralston Lake, Ropi Lake, Tamarack Lake, Pacific Crest Trail Hiking the Pacific Crest Trail From Echo Lakes to Lake Aloha. I enjoyed the ride and was able to get some nice photos looking out toward the lakeside cabins. We took a long lunch break at Tamarack Lake. Save up to 70% off Outdoor Gear & Apparel. From the Echo Lake parking area, either take the water taxi or the Pacific Crest Trail north. ... Lake Desolation Trail Hike - Virtual Treadmill - Duration: 1:27:07. Employees have begun setting gillnets at Ralston, Cagwin and Tamarack lakes in the Desolation Wilderness in an effort to remove trout and restore once-friendly frog habitat, the agency’s Lake … My friend’s tarp caught a gust, and two of his stakes flew out in the dark forest. But soon enough, the trail turned into a serious bushwhack through willow and alder thickets. We didn’t mind a bit of snow, but we didn’t want it to be the dominating part of the adventure. The trail from lower Echo Lake leads past upper Echo Lake and to the doorway of Desolation Wilderness. Very picturesque. We packed up and headed out. U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit Forest Supervisor's Office 35 College Drive South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150 Voice: (530) 543-2600 TTY: (530) 543-0956 Hours: Mon thru Fri 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Trail Guide with topo trail maps, trail miles. Directions: Though you can reach Tamarack Lake from many trails in Desolation Wilderness, the easiest is from Echo Lakes. Day one stats: 10.6 miles. At about the 3 mile mark, the trail splits as mentioned earlier. We will continue that hike some day. A sign will direct hikers to Tamarack Lake. From Highway 50, take Johnson Pass Road to Echo Lakes Road. From the top of the pass, we still had a little over a mile to our campsite. We looked longingly at the trail marker that showed Lake of the Woods and Aloha Lakes not too much further down the trail in a section of the Sierras creatively named Desolation Wilderness. It is commonly seen by hikers coming from Echo Lakes along the Pacific Crest Trail, but another way to reach it, the Tamarack Lake Trail, is a much less traveled and far more rewarding option. A still mostly frozen Tamarack Lake with Mt. Then I hiked past Tamarack in a west direction, straight toward Ralston Peak. The trail to Relay Peak is marked at the entry to the trail. Backpack to this secluded destination that's hidden from most of the traffic in Desolation Wilderness. Contact Information. There were some tents pitched right by the lake, and we watched a ranger tell them to pack up while we had snacks. As the trail continues to switchback up the mountainside, Tamarack Lakes starts to come into view. After falling a few times, I finally made it to the drop off/pick up point for the boat taxi at upper Echo Lake. Then it was a short hike up to 3rd night’s camp at Tamarack Lake. Good trip, glad you were able to get out. Warmer than most summer nights in the mountains. However, I put Echo Lakes on my to do list and I was definitely excited to head out there, especially after hearing and reading glowing reviews. A lot of water coming out of Tamarack Lake in the early summer. It's a Regular size geocache, with difficulty of 2.5, terrain of 4. Both of us were tired anyway after sleeping poorly the night before, so we fell asleep early. Continuing down Highway 50 the next useful entrance is the trail for Horsetail Falls from Twin Bridges. Day 1: PCT / TRT to Tamarack Lake – Lake Aloha – Heather Lake, Susie Lake. Trail near Lower Echo Lake. And, what’s perhaps their most popular service, the Chalet provides the boat taxi to take you from the southern end of Echo Lake to the northern end of the lake located 2.5 miles away. We didn’t have a very long day ahead of us, so we took things slow and enjoyed being out in nature after being cooped up for weeks. Desolation Wilderness boundary sign. From this split, it’s only about a 1/2 mile to Tamarack Lake. Located right next to the Chalet are 8 small rental cabins. TRT thru-hikers need to get a permit for the nights they are in the Desolation wilderness, but do not apply to the quota system. Backpacking in Desolation Wilderness to Aloha Lake, Heather Lake and Susie Lake. Signed up for a meet-up hike to watch the Perseid Meteor Shower. The bare granite and snow backdrop makes the lake look even bluer if possible. The ground around the lake is very rocky, and there aren’t that many suitable campsites for tents. Echo Lakes is a place that I plan on visiting many more times. By this point, I had already put in roughly 4 miles of hiking and I was battling a cold at the time. In about a mile, the trail splits; go left to follow the northern shore of Lake in the Woods; stay right to head straight to Lake Aloha. Your ultimate Lake Aloha hiking guide for Desolation Wilderness near Tahoe, both for day hikes and backpacking trips, from a local! The trailhead has a map of Desolation Wilderness (it’s helpful to take a picture to have an idea of the trail and locations of other lakes along the hike, including Lake Lucille, Lake of the Woods, Tamarack Lake and Triangle Lake). Tamarack Lake Tamarack Lake. It felt odd being back in civilization in the middle of a hike. Milky Way in the night sky above Tamarack Lake in the Desolation Wilderness, Eldorado National Forest, Sierra Nevada, ... Snow- shoe trail marker at mammoth mountain Tamarack lodge California. An exciting journey from Echo Lakes to Tamarack Lake and beyond, Underwater Towns of California: A look at towns buried in watery graves, The Underwater Forest of Fallen Leaf Lake, Fallen Leaf Lake: How this Sierra Mountain Lake got its name, Convict Lake: A Stunning Eastern Sierra Lake with an Infamous Past, The Maiden’s Grave: A story of hope, loss and mistaken graves, The Murderous Tale of Tragedy Spring and the Mormon Emigrant Trail, USOUTDOOR.com Sale! 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