Backpacking Echo Chalet to Echo Summit Trail Head

North: Echo Lake Trail Head

maps index

Though the Desolation Wilderness ended on the North side of Upper Echo Lake, the Lake Tahoe Basin Administrative Unit continues through Meiss Roadless Area to the Carson Gap

At the Echo Lake Trail Head you can pick up your pre-sent resupply you sent to yourself at the Echo Lake Chalet, stop for lunch at the Chalet and then continue South. You also have to option of catching a ride down to the Tahoe Basin and check out the South Lake Tahoe Regional Resources.

Arriving at the Lower Echo Lake trail head marks the end of the first leg of your backpacking trip to Yosemite. This 28.71 miles between Meeks Bay to Lower Echo Lake also makes an excellent little stand-alone backpacking trip through the Heart of the Desolation Wilderness.

A nice little Backpacking Trip

Backpacking Meeks Bay to the Echo Lake Trailhead

Elevation: Lake Level: 7414 feet.

Elevation: Upper Parking lot: 7537 feet.

Mileage: 28.71 miles South from the Meeks Bay Trailhead to the Echo Lakes Trailhead. 0 miles to the Echo Lake Trailhead. 2.00 miles to Echo Summit Trailhead.

mileages and elevations

top of page

Echo Lake Trailhead: Continuing South to Echo Summit

Arriving late at the Echo Lake trailhead I stopped for a brief break before continuing South. I had done 14.18 miles from Fontanillis Lake to the Echo Lake trailhead, and the sun was already setting.

This did not fit with my plans. I was supposed to be passing Echo Summit right now, looking to Frog Lake and a nice campsite.

I knew this would happen much earlier in the day, every time I scrambled off trail to take pictures and films. When I stopped and hung out with Eric, John and Will my fate was sealed. I knew that I would not get past Echo Summit this day.

This is the dilemma of the long distance backpacker. Food restrictions require high mileage days. I could have called it a day at Lake Aloha, and spent a relaxing afternoon enjoying the view. But my food/mileage ratio required that I continue, and I knew then that I would be hiking in the dark.

On the other hand, I am going to stop and talk to everyone who comes by. I am going stop and take in the stunning views, and take pictures and videos of the view. I really hate it when backpackers run right past the things they backpacked long distances to see. If you took the time to get there, take the time to enjoy it.

As Echo Lake Chalet operates from Memorial Day to Labor Day, I was not able to have a sandwich and a beer to supplement my food supply.

I saddled up HOP (my nickname for my pack, the Harness of Pain), found the trail to the Upper Parking Lot behind and to the right of the bathroom, and scurried on up there to find the Southbound Pacific Crest Trail trailhead.

comments?

Resupply information: Echo Lake Chalet

Hiking Topo Map: Echo Lake North                          Hiking Topo Map: Echo Lake to Echo Summit

Miles and Elevations

South: Echo Lake to Echo Summit

Backpacker Forums

Have a great Sierra Nevada route or trip to relate?

Post it on: TahoetoWhitney.Org

Echo Lake: What's your favorite trip through this trailhead?

Add your experiences, comments, or pictures about heading from Desolation to Meiss:

Section: Meeks Bay to Echo Summit

Segment: Echo Lake