It provides many services and is located at the south end of lower Echo Lake. 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. 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. The trailhead begins to the right of the boat dock and takes you on the east side of the lakes for 2.5 miles until you pass the northern portion of upper Echo Lake and you begin to climb over 400 feet in elevation. The trail follows the eastern shore of the Echo Lakes, high above lakeside cabins. He had to use rocks to set it up for the rest of the night. This area is less than 10 miles away from South Lake Tahoe. Signed up for a meet-up hike to watch the Perseid Meteor Shower. Using some rocks and sleeping pads to block the wind, we were able to get some water boiled for a nice, warm dinner. Not exactly the wilderness experience we had the previous night, but it would do. The crest of the Sierra Nevada runs through it, just west of Lake Tahoe. The wind was gusty and kept changing direction. We encountered snow at around 8000ft. After many years of being a full time freelance writer, and a long time resident of this state, I've decided to turn my full attention toward California by exploring all that it has to offer. From Highway 50, take Johnson Pass Road to Echo Lakes Road. Warmer than most summer nights in the mountains. From the trailhead, you take the trail southwest for about 2/3rds of a mile until it reaches the service road. But soon enough, the trail turned into a serious bushwhack through willow and alder thickets. I took the left trail toward Tamarack Lake. For whatever reason, I never sleep well the first night I’m up at altitude. If you choose not to take the water taxi, add 5 miles to the overall trip. The trail does split at roughly 3 miles and you can head left toward Tamarack Lake or right toward Lake Aloha. After our short break, we continued on toward our campsite for the night. A still mostly frozen Tamarack Lake with Mt. Desolation Valley. Even with the breeze, the air was pleasantly warm, especially considering it was early June. Check out more of my Desolation Wilderness adventures. It’s beautiful up there.” But, I kept pushing it off because I was completing other hikes and adventures along Highway 50 first. Day 2: Glen Alpine trail to Glen Alpine Trailhead, Tamarack Trail to Tamarack Lake.Day 3: PCT / TRT back to Echo Lakes Trailhead. There is limited parking down by the Chalet. Continue down another 1/2 mile and make a left onto Echo Lakes Road which will take you all the way to Echo Lake. A lot of water coming out of Tamarack Lake in the early summer. 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. Desolation Wilderness boundary sign. We took advantage of the situation by using the restrooms at the trailhead, then quickly continued. ← Bikepacking in Patagonia – from El Bolsón to Bariloche, Bacon mac and cheese: 2-ingredient easy backpacking meal →. I was glad to hear your Yosemite trips are happening. The trail takes you along the east side of the lakes. From Lake Tahoe, you can take Highway 50 west. It’s located directly at the base of Ralston Peak and is absolutely inviting for a swim. The geography changed as we started descending toward Heather Lake. Tahoe to Yosemite backpackers continue South. This trail also provides access to other popular destinations like: Tamarack Lake, Ralston Lake, Lake Aloha and Lake of the Woods. We didn’t mind a bit of snow, but we didn’t want it to be the dominating part of the adventure. Rested and full of calories, we climbed over the pass. ... Lake Desolation Trail Hike - Virtual Treadmill - Duration: 1:27:07. It also provides mail services as the Chalet has been a licensed post office since the 1920s. 10 Trail junctions South of Aloha Lake backpacking Desolation Wilderness. It was significantly steeper and even required us to use our hands to climb at times. The trail was under several feet of snow, which made navigation a bit tricky at times. Thrilling when the boat slows in narrow channel between upper & lower Echo lakes. The boat ride was only about 15 minutes. Unfortunately for us, they opened for backpacking on the 5th, which meant we needed to find an alternate trip.Â. Then I hiked past Tamarack in a west direction, straight toward Ralston Peak. 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. From the Echo Lake parking area, either take the water taxi or the Pacific Crest Trail north. I am guessing that Tamarack Lake would have been over it’s camper quota if we did count – so many families! We will continue that hike some day. After taking a couple pictures at the dam by the outlet of Echo Lake, we headed out. Initially, we thought he must have been mistaken as the path was in good shape and even had a new trail sign. The weather report called for high winds and snow down to 7000ft later that day, so we were happy to head out. The night was surprisingly warm. The trailhead is just off Highway 50, on the far southeast side of Lower Echo Lake. The Desolation Wilderness boundary is a few miles in, and also marked the start of a fairly exposed section of trail. So, I was fatigued and I didn’t really feel like hiking over to Cagwin lake. From the PCT intersection, we only had a short 20 minute downhill stroll to get to our campsite. The hike was much further than it seemed when up at a higher viewing point. Good trip, glad you were able to get out. The sun hit our campsite as we made breakfast, forcing us to shed layers down to shorts within minutes. 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. The first glimpse is all you need to realize that you’re in a special place. But, that’s what bug spray is for. We’d been woken up several times by strong wind gusts. A few seconds later, the gust hit the tent like a semi-truck. My friend Joonas and I had been planning an early June hiking trip to Hetch Hetchy in Yosemite. Check out my article on Tamarack Lake for more photos and details. Contact Information. Initially, we were in a thick forest, but soon enough, the views started opening up. 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. Day 1: PCT / TRT to Tamarack Lake – Lake Aloha – Heather Lake, Susie Lake. The morning was cold and windy. But the views were amazing. The bare granite and snow backdrop makes the lake look even bluer if possible. It's a Regular size geocache, with difficulty of 2.5, terrain of 4. The trail from lower Echo Lake leads past upper Echo Lake and to the doorway of Desolation Wilderness. Unlike all the other trails we’d been on, the Tamarack Trail wasn’t graded for equestrian use. We laid down on the sunny rocks for a while to let our shoes dry out. Trailhead : Miles One Way: Difficulty: Twin Lakes to: Grouse Lake: 2.1: Moderate/Difficult : Hemlock Lake The downside was the amount of mosquitoes. Backpack to this secluded destination that's hidden from most of the traffic in Desolation Wilderness. The majority of people have to park in the upper parking lot located about 1/4 mile back up Echo Lakes Road. Ralson in the background. 1,560 ft elevation gain. However, it really is a scenic trail and could be even more beautiful in the fall or winter. Once, I finished walking around Ralston lake, I decided to head back. 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). I’ve been to Lake Tahoe over 100 times and I am very familiar with the views at Echo Summit. 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. The trailhead to the end of the Upper Echo Lake is about 2.65 miles and is also known as “The Scenic Trail”. A look back at Echo Lakes from the trail toward Desolation Wilderness. A while after entering Desolation Wilderness, we stopped at Tamarack Lake, just off the trail, for a short coffee break. The cold wind made us retreat into the relative warmth of our tents before the sun had fully set. Check out my article on Ralston Lake for more photos and details. The boat ride back was pleasant. I went up and down many large rock pilings, ledges, tree stumps, bushes and more. There were some tents pitched right by the lake, and we watched a ranger tell them to pack up while we had snacks. The trail from lower Echo Lake leads past upper Echo Lake and to the doorway of Desolation Wilderness. We lost the trail a few times, but it was easy enough to follow the lake in the right direction until we rejoined the trail. Day three stats: 4.1 miles. Along each path, there are several other lakes to visit. Your ultimate Lake Aloha hiking guide for Desolation Wilderness near Tahoe, both for day hikes and backpacking trips, from a local! It was a good 75 minute drive from my home near Sacramento. We also decided to take one of the more challenging trails … We arrived at the trailhead a bit before 11 and got our gear in order. Continue on the Tahoe Rim Trail past the signed turn to Tamarack, you'll reach Lake Aloha just past the meadows -- worth the longer, more strenuous hike. We passed Glen Alpine Springs, an old resort built around a bubbling spring in the ground. We could see Fallen Leaf Lake and Lake Tahoe behind us, with tall mountains on either side. Day two stats: 9.1 miles. Echo Chalet is a seasonal resort opened from Memorial Day through Labor Day. 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! So, when I was driving down the last 1/4 mile of Echo Lakes Road to the lower parking area next to Echo Chalet, I caught a beautiful glimpse of Echo Lakes and I was instantly hooked. We cooked dinner by the lakeshore, watching the light fade. Even on a Thursday morning, we met a constant stream of other hikers out enjoying the early summer weather. I arrived at the Echo Chalet parking area by 6:45am. From Tamarack Lake back to the split, the trail can be easily lost across the rocks. I spent about 20 minutes walking around this lake and enjoying its beauty from all angles. Backpacking in Desolation Wilderness to Aloha Lake, Heather Lake and Susie Lake. I had enough hiking for the day and I gladly paid the $15 to ride back and shave off an extra 2.5 miles. A boat taxi (8:30am-5pm on demand in summer, $14 one-way) drops hikers off at Upper Echo Lake, where the trail continues 1.1 miles, heading west into the backcountry to Tamarack, Lucille, and Margery Lakes. I didn’t make the side trip down, only admired it from above. Heading back toward Echo Lakes. Directions: Though you can reach Tamarack Lake from many trails in Desolation Wilderness, the easiest is from Echo Lakes. The snow was slushy in the warm summer sun, but it held firm under our feet. Both of us had the route loaded on our Garmin Fenix 6 watch, which beeped any time we strayed too far off course, telling us to check the map and where we needed to head. This trail also provides access to other popular destinations like: Tamarack Lake, Ralston Lake, Lake Aloha and Lake of the Woods. The gray granite gave way to dark black and red-tinted rock. Both of us were tired after a long day of driving and hiking, so we called it a night early and went to bed around 9. However, it’s still a bit challenging. Save up to 70% off Outdoor Gear & Apparel. Day 2 of our Desolation Wilderness backpacking trip starts out where we left off at Tamarack lake. The hike up was less than 4 miles with an elevation gain of less than 1,000 feet ( you start high). It offered different views than the trail did and it definitely added to the overall experience. The trail to Relay Peak is marked at the entry to the trail. We arrived at the trailhead a bit before 11 and got our … The first section of the trail, until Tamarack Lake, is very popular. Desolation Wilderness sign. At about the 3 mile mark, the trail splits as mentioned earlier. So, on an early Thursday morning in mid-July, I set out to the highly touted Echo Lakes. Trail near Lower Echo Lake. It’s hard to rely on the cairns because they can be confusing at times as well. After a short while on the PCT, we turned right and headed down toward Glen Alpine. Trailheads on El Dorado National Forest (West) Side. I hope you’re also able to get out and enjoy the Rockies in your back yard. The Desolation Wilderness is a 63,960-acre (258.8 km2) federally protected wilderness area in the Eldorado National Forest and Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, in El Dorado County, California. Heading to the right will take you to Lake of the Woods and Aloha Lake. The last portion of the trail is worn out from all of the foot traffic. We stopped for lunch halfway through the climb. There is a two night minimum. Tamarack Lake is one of many serene alpine lakes in the Desolation Wilderness. Pacific Crest Trail/Tahoe Rim Trail through Desolation Wilderness. Even though I’d hiked this part of the PCT/TRT a couple of times before, I never get tired of the mountain vistas in Desolation. Just below this peak is Ralston Lake. ... Take the Tamarack Trail out, which I really can’t recommend. Additionally, I got to meet and talk with a few other hikers and the boat taxi driver. We had a quick breakfast before we started hiking back to the car. Walking up to Tamarack … Lots of day hikers, day runners. Directions: Though you can reach Tamarack Lake from many trails in Desolation Wilderness, the easiest is from Echo Lakes. We could already see the opposite side of the valley that we would be climbing to get back to Desolation. Directions These other hikes were Horsetail Falls and a few trips around Wrights Lake Recreation Area. We had a permit for June 4. From Sacramento, take Highway 50 east roughly 49 miles past Placerville and just few miles west of Echo Summit. As the trail continues to switchback up the mountainside, Tamarack Lakes starts to come into view. The ground around the lake is very rocky, and there aren’t that many suitable campsites for tents. It felt odd being back in civilization in the middle of a hike. It’s like you’ve discovered a hidden treasure and you just can’t wait to find out its value. From its top there are a number of small pretty lakes within easy walking distance (assuming you get an early start). After falling a few times, I finally made it to the drop off/pick up point for the boat taxi at upper Echo Lake. A sign will direct hikers to Tamarack Lake. Thanks Andrew! We only broke through in a few places where the melting water had created snow bridges. If you get off trail the area around can be very steep and rocky with loose footing. 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. It's located in California, United States.The Tamarack Trail is no longer maintained. 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. Note: you need to get a wilderness permit from recreation.gov for this trip. The trail followed a stream that grew more significant as we descended. Echo Lakes is a place that I plan on visiting many more times. Echo Lakes is definitely worth the drive and it would be a mistake to dismiss this lake just because Tahoe is close by. The lingering snow on the surrounding mountains made for some stunning scenery. Even with the lousy snow year we’ve had in 2020, an early June still means there will be snow in most places in the Sierra. Once away from Echo Lakes and climbing in elevation, you can look back down and enjoy a beautiful view of both lakes. From the top of the pass, we still had a little over a mile to our campsite. After discussing some alternatives and checking satellite photos on Caltopo, we decided to go for a relatively snow-free loop in Desolation Wilderness near Lake Tahoe. This is perfect for individuals looking to cut down on the duration and distance of  their hike. At about the 3 mile mark, the trail splits and you want to veer to the left toward Tamarack. My tent held up ok, although I did tighten the lines once. The services located at Echo Lake are seasonal and are open from Memorial Day through Labor Day. We took a long lunch break at Tamarack Lake. Utah Trails 169 views. From this split, it’s only about a 1/2 mile to Tamarack Lake. Hiking is a very popular activity around Echo Lakes even when the Echo Chalet isn’t open. We’d met a man by the spring who told us that the trail we were planning to take hadn’t been maintained for a while. 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