15.5 hr
Overview
Journey along this section of the Tahoe Rim Trail for a transformative experience through craggy granite peaks and pristine alpine lakes in one of the most well-known wilderness areas in the United States. <br><br>Starting at the Echo Lakes Trailhead Parking Area, follow signs for the joint TRT/PCT north along the rim of Echo Lakes through forested and occasionally boulder-strewn terrain. <br><br>Near the northern end of Upper Echo Lake, prepare for a relatively short climb as you ascend steady gradients roughly 500 vertical feet up a broad valley to the scenic shores of Lake Aloha. <br><br>While at the lake, take a load off, perhaps go for a swim, and truly enjoy yourself amidst a sea of grey granite slabs peppered with conifers and scrubby ground cover. For those spending the night in Desolation Wilderness, Lake Aloha, as well as nearby Heather Lake and Susie Lake, offer spectacular campsites with a view that's hard to beat. <br><br>Traveling onward from the lake, follow the trail as it descends gently through a small drainage to Heather Lake and on to Susie Lake. <br><br>Upon reaching Susie Lake, take a minute to collect yourself, fill up and treat some water from a nearby stream, and prepare to initiate, what is to many, the keystone of the trail: the arduous climb to the summit of Dicks Pass. <br><br>Climbing from Susie Lake, the trail ascends consistently along the eastern edge of a large granite cirque before reaching the top of the headwall and the comfort of the relatively flat terrain atop Dicks Pass.<br><br>If you, like most people, need to catch your breath atop the pass, take a seat and look back over the accurately "desolate," but stunning landscape before you. Good job, you! Look at the climb you just overcame! <br><br>From the top of Dicks Pass to its end, the trail takes on a strikingly different character. For one thing, it's primarily, and deservedly, downhill. In addition, the terrain north of Dicks Pass changes from the more sparsely vegetated granite rockscape of the southern wilderness to
Trail Stats
52.9 km
1345 m
2850 m
2116 m
—
Photos
Barker Peak.
Barker Peak.
Daily snowmelt makes certain sections of the trail into creeks... I'm grateful for good boots and waterproofing!
Daily snowmelt makes certain sections of the trail into creeks... I'm grateful for good boots and waterproofing!
Lower Echo Lake through the trees on the Tahoe Rim Trail
Lower Echo Lake through the trees on the Tahoe Rim Trail
Sun setting on Becker Peak over Lower Echo Lake.
Sun setting on Becker Peak over Lower Echo Lake.
On the trek to Upper Echo Lake.
On the trek to Upper Echo Lake.
Upper Echo Lake
Upper Echo Lake
Dick's Pass
Dick's Pass
Massive talus fields engulf the banks of Heather Lake.
Massive talus fields engulf the banks of Heather Lake.
Partly frozen Lower Echo Lake from Pacific Crest Trail / Tahoe Rim Trail
Partly frozen Lower Echo Lake from Pacific Crest Trail / Tahoe Rim Trail
Lower Echo Lake from the Echo Chalet
Lower Echo Lake from the Echo Chalet
Hikers picking their way through a small boulder field along the PCT.
Hikers picking their way through a small boulder field along the PCT.
Looking towards Dicks Pass from a ridge above Susie Lake (frozen).
Looking towards Dicks Pass from a ridge above Susie Lake (frozen).
Pyramid Peak, Desolation Wilderness, California.
Pyramid Peak, Desolation Wilderness, California.
Lake Aloha late July 2019.
Lake Aloha late July 2019.
Massive rocks by the Echo Lake Trail, with the lake and mountains in the background. (June 2019)
Massive rocks by the Echo Lake Trail, with the lake and mountains in the background. (June 2019)
Tamarack Lake a short walk off the trail
Tamarack Lake a short walk off the trail
The Pacific Crest Trail along Lower Echo Lake.
The Pacific Crest Trail along Lower Echo Lake.
Snowy mountains through the trees on the Pacific Crest Trail
Snowy mountains through the trees on the Pacific Crest Trail
Dicks Lake, early morning. The reflective waters were aided by clear skies and still conditions. Dicks Peak squeezes in on the top right, to the North of Dicks Pass.
Dicks Lake, early morning. The reflective waters were aided by clear skies and still conditions. Dicks Peak squeezes in on the top right, to the North of Dicks Pass.
Fontanillis Lake, with Dicks Peak in the background
Fontanillis Lake, with Dicks Peak in the background
Lower Echo Lake from Pacific Crest Trail
Lower Echo Lake from Pacific Crest Trail
You'll enjoy a great view looking over Upper and Lower Echo Lakes from the trail to Tamarack Lake.
You'll enjoy a great view looking over Upper and Lower Echo Lakes from the trail to Tamarack Lake.
Granite cliffs cast shadows over the green waters of Heather Lake.
Granite cliffs cast shadows over the green waters of Heather Lake.
Northern part of Lower Echo Lake
Northern part of Lower Echo Lake