echo lakes hiking trail

Echo Lake is soo pretty. Go to the end of the second lake to the taxi/telephone area and follow the lake trail for another few minutes. There are picnic tables and a perfect resting spot. You can retrace your 2.5 mile trail or take the water taxi back to the parking lot.

Even though it's a bit out of the way, this hike is amazing. You have a fairly flat trail, great view of the two lakes and plenty of awesome scenery. It's not too hot as you are in and out of the sun. We took about 1-1/2 hours to go one way and an hour on the way back. Many backpackers are on the Pacific Crest Trail. Next time we will allow more time to hike on to Aloha lake. BEWARE - parking is a problem, get there before 10:00 AM. Park in the lots or along the road at the top.

On July 4th when all the traffic is headed to Lake Tahoe, we backtracked a bit back up 50 to get to Echo Lake. The little "resort" has a store and we got a yummy turkey sandwich and fruit milkshake before the hike. Mmmmmm. It was a very warm day, but there are some shady spots on the hike which helped. The hike was pretty with near constant views of the lake and was an easy to moderate trip up to the taxi point. Once there, we saw a gaggle of Canadian geese who swam right up to us as we dipped our feet in the cool water from the dock. The reward was a fun (and cool!) boat ride back for only $12 each. Highly recommend this experience!

Although I lived only 1 1/2 hours away from Echo, I have never been hiking up here. Wow, now I know what I've been missing!We left Sacramento just after 9:30 am on a Saturday and with one quick bathroom stop halfway there, we arrived to almost a full parking lot. Luckily, we managed to find a good place to park and headed down to the bathroom for one last stop before hitting the trail.What can I say about the trail except that it was Beautiful and provided picture ops at every turn. The hike itself wasn't overly strenous but I would make sure to be prepared with proper footwear and water. We hiked until we got to Tamarack Lake where aside from passing a couple of people, we felt like we were virtually the only ones there. We sat at the edge of the lake and put our feet in the water while we ate the lunch we packed. Afterwards, we hiked about halfway back to where the boat dock for the water taxi docks. I should mention that although the walk back was more on the downward side, it ended up being a little harder to manuver around some the rocks. My advice would be to just take your time and make sure you are sure footed.When the water taxi arrived, we just hopped in and enjoyed the ride. It probably only took another 10 minutes to be back at the start of the trail and that was only due to the fact that the water taxi and to slow through the small water way that links the two lakes. Once back at the main dock, we disemabarked and paid our fare of $12 each. Well worth it although I don't think the hike back would have been a big deal (we just wanted to experience the taxi). Our reward for the hike was to treat ourselves to the ice cream sold inside the store. Not the frozen premade stuff but the kind that is scooped. There were a number of flavors but somehow we all chose the mango. It was delicious!I will definitely be returning here again and again!!!

Echo Lakes are easily accessed by car a short distance south of Lake Tahoe. At the lakeside resort (somewhat overstated, it's pretty basic) you can take a shuttle boat through lower and upper Echo Lakes, with pretty views, and then walk the Tahoe Rim Trail to the gorgeous Lake Aloha, about 3.5 miles one way of fairly easy hiking. Nice wildflowers in season. Check the boat schedule so you don't miss the last return trip (although it's only a 2.5 mi hike) to the resort.

We took the water taxi and planned to follow the trail to Aloha Lake. AFter following the markers toward Aloha we came upon one that did not show Aloha, so we took the trail to the left that appeared to be less traveled than the others. After following this trail for only a few hundred yards we came upon a secluded lake . We followed the shoreline around and discovered a roaring waterfall that fed many small water holes. Although we never made it to Aloha Lake we were very happy with the hike.

What a lovely spot! Awe inspiring views and lovely cool lake swimming. Take the boat over and hike back, you won't regret it. And then on to Tahos!

2.9 miles easy hike along Echo Lake and you can even return by water taxi for $10 pp. If you're really adventuresome you can return on the 'other' side of the lake along unmaintained trails to return to the dock area. Renters have to boat in to lodgings. It's hard to get a rental, they are passed along generations. It's not that easy to get to Echo Lake, but well worth the effort. Lake Tahoe is gorgeous, but it's so much more impacted by tourists. Echo Lake is quiet and beautiful.

Echo Lakes is only a few miles from my house and, despite the super abundance of hiking trails in the part of the Sierra, it is on of my favorite places in the world. The trail is a moderately rolling, somewhat rocky trip along the Tahoe Rim Trail towards the Desolation Wilderness. There's an excellent trail guide at the trailhead. Check out the milage to the Wilderness - if you decide that you want to enter it then fill out the (free) permit before you go.The backcountry views are wonderful but your only chance to see the Lake Tahoe Basin is from an overlook about 500 yards from the start of the trail, following a little climb. The trail is a BIT hard to find for the first 1000 yards or so as many people tramp around that area, creating false trails. This is a popular trail, winter and summer. Parking can fill up early at Echo Lakes Cabin but there is overflow parking about 1/2 miles back up the road.The road is closed in winter so it becomes part of your snowshoe/ski trip, too.Your leash-free dogs are welcome but be sure Rover has good trail manners and be prepared to leash him to pass other hikers if they ask you.There is a water taxi in the summer that will return you to the trailhead from the head of Lower Echo Lake. The taxi will cut off about 2 miles of your return trip. Also, if he hasn't trained for the rocky conditions then you might want to consider booties to protect his paws.All Sierra waterways are prone to giardia (aka Beaver Fever) so be prepared to carry your own water or bring a good purifier. Also remember to dress in layers as it can be quite cold in the shade &/or wind, even in mid-summer.