Be My Travel Muse. Trail Conditions and Difficulty: Overall this route is fairly difficult when hiked in 4 or fewer days. Both the Twin Lakes Trailhead and Rockbound Trailhead can be used for entry for this loop and the routes merge by about the 2 mile mark. There is no fee for parking so long as you have an overnight camping permit, and there is a restroom near the parking lot. We completed this short distance backpacking trip over 3 days in July of 2018. After Clyde Lake, the trail descends for a mile before reaching the Rubicon River. Many of the campsites are on pretty hard granite or gravel surfaces, so a good mat makes all the difference. The Crystal Range is also within the area, with Pyramid Peak as the highest point both in the range and the wilderness, topping out at 9,987 feet. 3 of 5 diamonds. I had talked up the spectacular sunrise at Lake Aloha and Alex and I got up for it, but sadly there was a bank of heavy low clouds in the east that blocked any chances of alpenglow on the Crystal Range. To the left, the trail leads down to the south shore of Lake Aloha. Another longer, more strenuous hike to Lake Aloha leads you past a small waterfall, a beautiful meadow , nd three alpine lakes. This provided relief from the wind, but also still gave us a great view of the lake. Plus, compared to the rest of the Sierra Nevada, the elevation gain in this area is not too crazy. From Susie Lake it is a gradual climb over the next 3-4 miles before you reach Lake Aloha. A large parking lot is available on the hillside above the Echo Chalet. For water, we did not see a tap at the parking lot, but there is a potable water tap at the nearby Wright’s Lake Campground. Lake Aloha is the destination of choice for most hikers and backpackers in Desolation Wilderness. Lake Susie in particular sported some spectacular placid waters. Along the route you are treated to amazing scenery with highlights including: alpine lakes, granite peaks, meadows, waterfalls, and expansive views of El Dorado National Forest. Day Hiking to Lake Aloha. To the right, the trail continues through a heavily wooded portion of the forest and leads to the shore on the southeastern side of the lake. The Chalet has lodging, a store, a marina, a deli, and post office. From there, you descend down the trail back to the Rockbound Trailhead. Lake Aloha is particularly beautiful with the Crystal Range in the background. Highlights include alpine lakes, granite peaks, and expansive views of Desolation Wilderness. Permits: Permits are required year-round for overnight camping in Desolation Wilderness. It’s a beautiful trail and many campsites can be found along the path. To get to Echo Lakes, head south on US 50. You traverse some large granite areas and get nice views of the surrounding peaks. Summary: This is one of the best hikes near Lake Tahoe, which takes you past Modjeska Falls, Glen Alpine Springs, Grass Lake (side-trip), Susie Lake, and Heather Lake on the way to Lake Aloha. If you opt to take the water shuttle across Echo Lakes, the hike becomes only 7 miles round trip. Doing so will also protect your food from the marmots and chipmunks that seem to search campsites for food. The Echo Chalet's water taxi can knock almost 3 miles off the hike, but the mostly level jaunt along the lakes is easy and offers interesting views. Destination Distance From Downtown. We chose to stay Maud Lake on our first night due to a combination of permit availability and of wanting to keep the mileage moderate on the first day. Stunning reflections in the morning sun on Lake Susie in the Desolation Wilderness. For a short walk, try the 2-mile hike to Grass Lake. However it was not easy to find solitude around here (main reason I give it 4 stars instead of 5). The hike is a classic Desolation Wilderness experience and the area is predictably popular. Along the way the PCT skirts along the shore of beautiful Heather Lake. There must have been a lot of melt in the last two weeks! stunning alpine lake. It was only 5 miles from the TH to the south shore of Lake Aloha, but we continued along the eastern side of the shore (passing Lake LeConte and Heather Lake) for another 1.5 miles before veering off the PCT to find a campsite that got us closer to Mosquito Pass. After the 2 mile mark, the trail begins to rise out of the forest and the views really open up. After the first, relatively flat fire road section you will climb out of the forest and toward Aloha Lake, an intensely beautiful body of water sitting at over 8,000 feet. Many different hikes can be accessed from this trailhead. Hiking on rocky trails can slow you down and cause some foot/ankle stress, so plan to hike a bit slower than usual on portions of this loop. You should have a map handy and also may want a GPS or offline map loaded on your phone. After the first, relatively flat fire road section you will climb out of the forest and toward Aloha Lake, an intensely beautiful body of water sitting at over 8,000 feet. (We took this trail and I highly recommend it). ( Log Out /  A quick 2 night trip! Head left here towards Susie Lake. The rocky, talus trail can sometimes prove difficult to … Susie Lake made for a nice lunch spot where you can recharge before hiking to Lake Aloha. Just make sure to use the trailhead that you listed on your wilderness permit. Desolation Wilderness Access from this trailhead… After your first night, you are allowed to hike and camp anywhere within Desolation Wilderness. Day 3:  10 miles; +1,900 feet / -2,100 feet; Fontanillis Lake to Lake Aloha. I packed up camp and headed back towards Lake Aloha and on to the trailhead. A third option is a moderate hike to … For a short walk, try the 2-mile hike to Grass Lake. This campground requires reservations in the summer though and can fill up quickly. The section of trail between Mosquito Pass and Camper Flat that follows the Rubicon River had a lot of mosquitoes though. There are parking lots near the Rockbound Trailhead and Twin Lakes Trailhead, where you can leave your car during your hike. Lake Aloha to Dick’s Lake 9 miles, +2100ft/-1900ft. Change ), You are commenting using your Google account. The day of permits are claimed and picked up at one of the nearby ranger stations. Day 4: 12.5 miles; +1,800 feet / -3,000 feet; Lake Aloha to Wrights Lake. From Lake Aloha back to the Rockbound Trailhead (red). I am particularly impressed by the depiction of Lake Aloha full during Spring above, agasinst how it looks during Fall on the 30 min Map.. Meeks Bay to Echo Summit. 70% of the permit quota for each zone is available for advanced reservation on recreation.gov for a $10 reservation fee. Lake Aloha is a large shallow backcountry reservoir located at an elevation of 8,116 feet in the Sierra Nevada Range, west of Lake Tahoe in El Dorado County, in eastern California.. Lake Aloha often serves as a perfect introduction to overnight backpacking because of its relative proximity to the trailhead, especially considering the water taxi option. Trailhead : Miles One Way: Difficulty: Twin Lakes to: Grouse Lake: 2.1: Moderate/Difficult : Hemlock Lake The reservoir is located in Desolation Valley, within the federally protected Desolation Wilderness area. Climb to the notch on the far side of the Susie Lake and you'll quickly come to Heather Lake, and a few switchbacks later, Lake Aloha. The photos in this post are from a trip in early July 2020. Enjoy a picnic, play in the lake, and return the way you came. Located at an elevation of 8,116 feet, it can be reached by hiking west from Echo Lake or from the Glen Alpine Trailhead near Fallen Leaf Lake in South Lake Tahoe. I also like to pre-treat my clothes and tent with permethrin spray repellent. You then descend another 500 feet to the shore of Lake Schmidell. We found a nice elevate site on the west side of lake that had a nice view and also had a bit of a breeze, which kept the mosquitoes at bay. At the ~7 mile mark, you reach Velma Lakes. We crossed the outlet dam here and had lunch on the southeast shore of the lake. From Lake Aloha back to the Rockbound Trailhead (red). After the 3 mile mark, you begin a final ~500 foot climb that ends at Maud Lake. After the crossing you climb ~700 feet over 2 miles before reaching the junction with the PCT near Middle Velma Lake. Aloha lake is worth the 6.25mi one way trek. After reaching Lake Schmidell, the trail heads east past Camper Flat and across the Rubicon Valley. Change ), Shop sale & clearance items at REI.com and save up to 50%, Take 15% Off Your First Order at Backcountry.com, Find Outdoor Recreation Deals at Amazon.com, View looking north from Dicks Pass, Dicks Lake, Fontanillis Lake, and Velma Lakes, Lake Doris with Rockbound Pass in the background, Sunrise at Lake Aloha in Desolation Wilderness, Sunset view from our campsite on Fontanillis Lake in Desolation Wilderness, Jump to Day 1: Rockbound Trailhead to Maud Lake, Jump to Day 2: Maud Lake to Fontanillis Lake, Jump to Day 3: Fontanillis Lake to Lake Aloha, Jump to Day 4: Lake Aloha to Rockbound Trailhead, adidas Outdoor Terrex Fast R Gore-Tex Shoe, Minus33 Merino Wool Kancamagus Midweight Bottom, Minus33 Merino Wool Chocorua Midweight Crew, Pendleton Long Sleeve Classic-Fit Board Shirt, Black Diamond Trail Ergo Cork Trekking Poles, Link to download USGS topographic map of area (, Link to purchase printed USGS topographic map of area (, a quick drying long sleeve hiking shirt (, small amount of duct tape for gear repairs, small plastic water bottles filled with whisky . Take the Tamarack Trail out, which I really can’t recommend. Full trail description with map: to Lake Aloha, Lake of the Woods, and Ropi Lake, all under the jagged granite of Pyramid Peak, Mount Agassiz, and Mount Price. +/- 3,000 feet of elevation with a starting elevation of 6,970 feet and a peak elevation of 9,660 feet. There is a bathroom at the trailhead, but no potable water source so plan accordingly. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. LAKE OF THE WOODS & ALOHA LAKE LIE WITHIN DESOLATION WILDERNESS AND REQUIRES A PERMIT BOTH FOR DAY HIKERS AND CAMPERS. Download file: Lake_Aloha.gpx Six of us met near the trailhead at 9:00am. This loop traverses over Rockbound Pass and Dicks Pass on its way to the beautiful Lake Aloha. Trailhead The Glen Alpine trailhead is at the end of the paved Fallen Leaf Road, forking south off Hwy 89, 3 miles from the US 50 intersection in South Lake Tahoe.This runs through empty pine/aspen woodland for a while, past a USFS campground, and then along the east shore of Fallen Leaf Lake, where the road narrows and is bordered by big trees close to the edge. Follow the Aloha Lake trail flower guide at the end of the Lake of the Woods hike on this blog. The mileage and elevation gain on this loop are not especially difficult, but the trail issues mentioned above can make the loop more difficult than it initially appears. The most convenient trailhead for Lake Aloha is at Echo Lakes just a mile off Highway 50 at Echo Summit, west of South Lake Tahoe. 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. Change ), You are commenting using your Twitter account. From Echo Lakes trailhead to Lake Aloha, the hike is 12 miles round trip. The next morning, after our backcountry coffee , we set out on the trail for Lake Aloha. The beautiful scenery more than makes up for the trial issues though! Jump to Day 1: Rockbound Trailhead to Maud Lake +/- ~6,000 feet of elevation with a starting elevation of 6,960 feet and a peak elevation of 9,370 feet. It was maybe 20 degrees cooler up in the mountains, but still quite warm as we began hiking uphill. Lake Aloha is close to a couple ski resorts so you can easily consult the resort pages for snow pack. While there are many parking spaces at the trailhead parking lot, it is a very popular trailhead so expect to see people and be prepared to park down the road if the trailhead parking lot is full. stunning alpine lake. Contacts. Day 4 map (PDF) Day 4 elevation profile of the Lake Aloha via Rockbound Pass loop in Desolation Wilderness. You are treated to some nice serene hiking along the river here, but also need to watch out for mosquitoes. We arrived at Echo Lakes trailhead a bit late in the day, so ended up stopping and camping at Lake Tamarack the first night, about 4 miles in. Before I ever started hiking, I started watching videos. Day 1: Echo Lakes to Susie lake via Lake Aloha. The trail is also less-than-well marked in several areas of this loop. The trail to Lake Aloha takes you through some of the most beautiful nature in the Lake Tahoe area. There is a side trail that leads to the shore of Clyde Lake, but we skipped it since it is a bit long for just a quick look at the lake. Lake Aloha is one of the most popular destinations for day hikers and overnight backpackers who want to explore the 63,000-acre Desolation Wilderness west of Lake Tahoe. From atop Dicks Pass, the PCT then descends ~1,700 feet over the course of ~3 miles before reaching Susie Lake. Other options include many of the first-come, first-serve forest service campsites or dispersed camping along the roads in El Dorado National Forest. Day 2: 10 miles; +2,400 feet / -1,700 feet; Maud Lake to Fontanillis Lake. When you reach Lake Aloha, you must choose what sort of campsite you want. As you climb the mountain towards Echo Summit, you’ll see a small, unmarked road that splits off to the right (2.8 miles south of the US 50/California 89 junction). The views in this section are nice, but nothing spectacular. The trailhead to the end of the Upper Echo Lake is about 2.65 miles and is also known as “The Scenic Trail”. In the summer, a water taxi is available to shuttle hikers across the lakes, making for an easier trip. 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). Difficulty. If you wished to cover more ground on the first day, Lake Doris, Lake Lois, or Lake Schmidell could all make for possible destinations (just make sure to specify your correct destination on your permit). The final day is the longest hike as you go from Lake Aloha back to the trailhead at Wrights Lake. The trail steeply climbs ~1,100 feet over the next 2 miles before you reach the top of the pass. Shop Deal of the Day at REI Outlet (up to 50% off)! Another longer, more strenuous hike to Lake Aloha leads you past a small waterfall, a beautiful meadow , nd three alpine lakes. GLEN ALPINE TRAILHEAD GIVES HISTORIC ACCESS TO DESOLATION WILDERNESS Desolation Wilderness Trails – Glen alpine trailhead is located at Lilly Lake approx a mile behind Fallen Leaf lake. Awesome write up. Desolation Wilderness is split into 45 zones and the quota for each zone varies from 2 permits to 40 permits. Most years there is a water taxi running in the summer to cut off a couple of miles, pending COVID changes (there isn’t one running at the time of this writing – 2020). Each had a slight breeze, which kept the bugs at bay. Both lakes have some very scenic campsites. Rockbound Pass and Dicks Pass can be snowy in June and early July, so be prepared to traverse over snow (and potentially wear crampons) if you are backpacking early in the summer. From Lake Aloha back to the Rockbound Trailhead (red). If you want to experience the water taxi, consider using it for your return trip. Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube. Lake Aloha is the destination of choice for most hikers and backpackers in Desolation Wilderness. The remaining 30% of permits are available on a first-come, first-serve basis on the day of entry. Explore & get best deals on hotels near Lake Aloha Trailhead … Dicks Pass through Echo Lake Trailhead : Main Features We have been rolling downhill since climbing over Dicks Pass.The little bump between Susie Lake and Aloha Lake was inconsequential, and now it's down mountain from the North side of Lake Aloha to the Echo Lake trail head. On the second day we headed up through Rockbound Pass and then passed by Lake Doris, Lake Lois, and Lake Schmidell. We went up to Lake Aloha for the second night-- absolutely stunning! Wildflowers above Echo Lakes and in Haypress Meadows will keep both amateur and professional photographers entertained. Hi Jim – The mosquitoes were not too bad at any of the lakes we camped at (Maud, Fontanillis, or Aloha). Typically completed as a three-day backpacking trip, the hike begins at the Fallen Leaf Lake (or Lily Lake) trailhead. If you’re planning on taking the water taxi across the Echo Lakes, you’ll catch your boat at the Echo Lake … The trail heads north up to Mosquito Pass and then down towards Clyde Lake. Wake up at 3 AM and hike back up to the summit of Tallac for sunrise (optional, crazy, and worth it). At the ~3.5 mile mark, you reach a junction and head west towards Rockbound Pass. I camped near Lake Schmidell two weeks ago and the trail was quite tricky coming from Camper Flat. The trail then reaches Dicks Lake before starting a ~1,000 foot climb up to Dicks Pass. This hike is beautiful, and fairly flat. Foul reflections on Lake Susie. ( Log Out /  More info about the permits and zones can be found on the Forest Service website. I chose to start at Echo Lakes. It’s got dramatic granite peaks, lush forests, and — since we went in winter — perfectly untouched, sparkling snow. DAYHIKERS MAY SELF-REGISTER AT THE TRAILHEAD… The 64,000-acre Desolation Wilderness, one of the nation’s most popular, is well-travelled. View of South Lake Tahoe. Happy backpackers heading out on an adventure. The other essential item for this trek is an inflatable sleeping pad. Meeks Bay trail head to Lake Genevieve: 4.39 miles 18.1 miles. I spent a few days in the South Lake Tahoe area, and decided it was finally time to make the trek. Lake Aloha is particularly beautiful with the Crystal Range in the background. Once a series of smaller lakes that has since been dammed for small-scale hydroelectric, Lake Aloha’s iridescent blue waters lie in stark contrast to the sheer granite walls of the Crystal Range peaks. Hike past the gorgeous Susie and Heather Lakes to Aloha. The morning back track was somehow even more beautiful than the prior day. We found a great site tucked in a group of trees north of the trail. Typically completed as a three-day backpacking trip, the hike begins at the Fallen Leaf Lake (or Lily Lake) trailhead. If you are comfortable traversing over snow, it is wise to wait until late July before heading out. Restrooms are available nearby. The shortest and easiest approach is from Echo Lake by the Pacific Crest Trail. After the pass, the trail is less rocky and you will be able to hike faster. ... You’ll take Forest Rt 11N05 for about 0.7 miles all the way down to the official Lake Aloha trailhead. Lake Aloha is a feature of the wilderness area, with shallow, clear waters sitting in a wide, granite basin carved by glaciers in the most recent ice age. We turned onto Fallen Leaf Road from Highway 89 and drove all the way to the Glen Alpine trailhead. The Trailhead is a paved parking that gives visitors direct access via rock road to the Historic Glen Alpine Spring Resort. We went up to Lake Aloha for the second night-- absolutely stunning! If you follow the trail west towards Mosquito Pass, you can find a variety of sites along the north shore of Lake Aloha. If you are hiking while the passes are still snowy, you will want trekking poles and possibly microspikes/crampons. You have the option to camp at either of the Velma Lakes, Fontanillis Lake, or Dicks Lake. 2/3 of the trail are fully exposed 12.5mi Sep 8, 2018 Mike Zeigler. Hike the Pacific Crest Trail from Echo Lakes into Desolation Wilderness. Jump to Day 4: Lake Aloha to Rockbound Trailhead. Region: Lake Tahoe Distance: 12 Miles Elevation: 7,400 - 8,400 ft Vegetation: Pine Forest Last Visit: October 2019 The Lake Aloha basin is a truly unique piece of the Desolation Wilderness.In a broad, sparsely treed, rocky bowl surrounded by high peaks, there was once a collection of small interconnected lakes (the Medley Lakes) separated by a maze of low rocky ledges. The most popular entry point for Lake Aloha is Echo Lake. Below is a list of the gear recommended for backpacking this loop in Desolation: Day 1: 5 miles; +1,000 feet / -300 feet; Rockbound Trailhead to Maud Lake. A third option is a moderate hike to … I opted to hike via the Ralston trail instead. To the south you see Half Moon Lake, Dicks Peak, Susie Lake, and Lake Aloha. Twin Lakes and Island Lake – Desolation Wilderness (12 mile trek), Timberline Trail – Mount Hood Wilderness, OR (40 mile loop), Four Pass Loop – Maroon Bells Snowmass Wilderness, CO (28 mile loop), Broken Top Loop – Three Sisters Wilderness (24 mile loop), Trinity Alps Wilderness Backpacking – Emerald and Sapphire Lakes. I got eaten alive in desolation two years ago. Lake Aloha has been on my list of trails to hike for a while. Supplies: There are black bears in the area, so you will want either a bear canister or ursack and rope for hanging your food. Logistics: If you would like to camp at the trailhead the night before your trek, there is Wright’s Lake Campground very close. You can hike to Lake Aloha from two trailheads. The final day is the longest hike as you go from Lake Aloha back to the trailhead at Wrights Lake. Hi Dave – There was no significant snow on the trail between Rockbound Pass and Lake Schmidell or between Schmidell and Camper Flat. We arrived at Echo Lakes trailhead a bit late in the day, so ended up stopping and camping at Lake Tamarack the first night, about 4 miles in. Trip Overview: ~38 mile backpacking trip in Desolation Wilderness near South Lake Tahoe. Aloha Lake. It is about a ~900 foot climb up to the pass and the views are great along the way. We did a little scrambling off trail and found a great campsite on a granite outcrop on the north side of the lake. The final day is the longest hike as you go from Lake Aloha back to the trailhead at Wrights Lake. Trail Description: Most people camping or hiking near Lake Aloha approach from the trailhead at Echo Lakes. When the trail goes above the treeline, you sometimes need to look closely for cairns to ensure you are on the right track. ( Log Out /  ... Lake Aloha. From Lake Schmidell, the trail steadily descends down to China Flat and the Rubicon River. In the 2 miles after Rockbound Pass, the trail descends down past Lake Doris and Lake Lois. Change ), You are commenting using your Facebook account. The forecast for Sacramento was 100+ degrees for the weekend. After taking a couple pictures at the dam by the outlet of Echo Lake, we headed out. I decided, last minute, that I'd like to be backpacking on Labor Day. Jump to Day 2: Maud Lake to Fontanillis Lake The trail crosses the river a couple times, but we may be able to rock hop across without removing shoes. We found a variety of campsites around Maud Lake, so you can choose whether you want to be closer to the shore or set back further for privacy. We passed several junctions for the other lakes in the area like Lake Lucille, Lake Margery, and Lake of the Woods. Aug 23, 2018 Bill Anonie. The main challenges are uneven footing on the rocky trails and some sections of trail that are not well marked. There are great views at the top of Dicks Pass. Lake Aloha Mapping Information, miles, and Elevations: Mileages North side of Lake Aloha to Echo Lake trailhead: 7.55 miles Also see Lake Aloha 30 min Map . The trail to Lake Aloha is 6.7 miles and only climbs about 1,000 feet, making it a manageable weekend hike. The trail modestly climbs through a forest for most of the first 2 miles. Was most of the snow gone when you were there? Love the photos.. How were the skeeters along the loop? We parked and started our trek at the Rockbound Trailhead. Jump to Day 3: Fontanillis Lake to Lake Aloha You will want to hike quickly through this section. Aug 21, 2018 Ben S. Jul 19, 2018 Seth Anderson. Over the next mile the trail follows the river through the forested valley. It is then roughly another 2 miles and 400 feet of climbing through the forest before you reach the beautiful Fontanillis Lake. We chose to approach Lake Aloha from the Glen Alpine trailhead near Lily Lake. Trailheads on El Dorado National Forest (West) Side. The permethrin treatment stays on your clothes for up to 6 washes, so it helps reduce the amount of spray you need to put on your skin. From the trailhead, follow the fire road for the first mile to the old Glen Alpine Springs Resort. I didn't want to hike a bunch of miles, like I usually do, so we decided to hike to our 1st camp at Lake of the Woods and camp there for the rest of the trip. Many different hikes can be accessed from this trailhead. Your permit only specifies your night of entry into the wilderness and the zone you will camp in on the first night. To the north you see Dicks Lake, Fontanillis Lake and Velma Lakes. This is one of our favorite hikes to do near Lake Tahoe, especially to satisfy an alpine lake fix. This section of trail was quite rocky and rough on our feet. The trail leading up to Rockbound Pass is quite rocky so good socks and hiking shoes are important! Choose Hotels near Lake Aloha Trailhead based on your preferences like cheap, budget, luxury or based on the type of hotels like 3 star, 4 star or 5 star. Enjoy the beauty of Susie Lake and Jacks Peak in the background. I didn't really have a plan or destination in mind. From the top of Mosquito Pass you get a partial view of Clyde Lake and nice views of the Rockbound Valley.
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