Echo Summit to Half Moon Lake is a 31-mile out-and-back trail located near South Lake Tahoe in the Desolation Wilderness. This route begins at the Echo Summit Trailhead, which can be accessed easily off Highway 50 near South Lake Tahoe, about 1.5 hours south of Reno, Nevada and about 2 hours east of Sacramento, California. This trail crosses the glacially carved granite landscape of Desolation Wilderness by following the Pacific Crest Trail and Tahoe Rim Trail. This is an excellent backpacking trip if you are seeking a short adventure that includes plenty of alpine lakes in a beautiful wilderness setting.
This loop takes place within the Desolation Wilderness which features granite peaks, glacial valleys, waterfalls, and scenic alpine lakes. There are pine forests and sparsely vegetated woodlands with juniper and chaparral. It has streams and meadows with a variety of your-round and perennial plants, including wildflowers, grasses, aspens, and willows.
CONSIDERATIONS
The trails used on this loop are multi-use and are suitable for running, hiking, backpacking, camping, and horseback riding (bicycles are not allowed on the Pacific Crest Trail).
LAKES VISIT ON THIS LOOP
Lower Echo Lake, Upper Echo Lake, Ralston Lake, Tamarak Lake, Lake Aloha, Susie Lake, Heather Lake, Alta Morris Lake, and Half Moon Bay Lake.
MILES AND WAYPOINTS
00.00 - Echo Summit
01.00 - Cross Highway 50
02.50 - Lower Echo Lake
05.50 - Upper Echo Lake
06.10 - Tamarak Lake
06.50 - Ralson Lake
10.40 - Lake Aloha
11.90 - Trail junction / Head northeast
12.50 - Heather Lake
13.20 - Susie Lake
16.50 - Alta Morris Lake
16.80 - Half Moon Lake
20.80 - Trail Junction / Lake Aloha - head south along Lake Aloha
24.20 - Stay on the Pacific Crest Trail / Tahoe Rim Trail to avoid repeating an out-and-back to Tamarak Lake
26.00 - Echo Lake
31.20 - Echo Summit
PERMITS AND CAMPING
Desolation Wilderness requires backcountry permits for day use and overnight stays. Permits, and permit information, can be found at www.recreation.gov.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Echo Summit Trailhead: https://tahoerimtrail.org/projects/echo-summit-trailhead/.
Tahoe Rim Trail: www.tahoerimtrail.org.
Pacific Crest Trail: www.pcta.org.
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