ActivitiesHikingEcho Lake Trailhead
Echo Lake Trailhead
South Shore, hiking, moderate
Classic Desolation Wilderness gateway. Take the seasonal water taxi across Echo Lake to save 2 miles. Connects to PCT and Lake Aloha loop.
In short: Echo Lake Trailhead is a moderate hike on Lake Tahoe's South Shore: 26 mi round trip, 2,800 ft of elevation gain, a high point of 9,240 ft. The season is Jul – Oct, a wilderness permit is required, dogs are not allowed.
- Distance, round trip
- 26 mi
- Elevation gain
- 2,800 ft
- High point
- 9,240 ft
- Difficulty
- Moderate
Where it is
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Trail details
- Water taxi across Echo Lake
- PCT junction
- Lake Aloha
- Desolation Valley
- Trail
- Desolation Wilderness / PCT
- Season
- Jul – Oct
- Permit
- Wilderness permit required
- Parking
- Echo Chalet day fee, $10, Seasonal water taxi available
- Dogs
- Not allowed
Go with a guide. Walk the basin with a local guide, on a trail matched to your group and the season.
Guided hikeConditions today
- Right now
- 72°F, Sunny
- Today
- High 72°, low 48°
- Wind
- 8 mph
- Campfires
- Metal rings only
- TomorrowPartly Cloudy, 10% chance of rain68° 45°
- ThuMostly Clear, 5% chance of rain74° 50°
- FriPM Storms, 75% chance of rain61° 44°
Know before you go
- Permits
- Desolation Wilderness needs a permit for both day hikes and overnight trips. Most other trails in the basin need none.
- Parking
- Lots at Eagle Falls, D.L. Bliss and other popular trailheads fill by 9am on summer weekends. Start early or go midweek.
- Altitude
- Trailheads start around 6,300 feet and the highest summits top 10,000. Carry more water than you would at sea level and take the first day easy.
- Weather
- Summer afternoons can bring thunderstorms. Plan to be off exposed ridges and summits by early afternoon.
More hiking within 5 miles
- Echo Summit TRT Trailhead1.6 mi, moderate
- Horsetail Falls Trailhead2.9 mi, moderate
- Angora Lakes Trailhead3.0 mi, easy
- Big Meadow Trailhead3.6 mi, moderate
- Glen Alpine Trailhead4.7 mi, moderate
Nearest campgrounds
- Fallen Leaf Lake Campground4.7 mi, 206 sites
- Camp Richardson — RV Village7.2 mi, 98 sites
- Campground by the Lake7.6 mi, 170 sites