Echo Peak via Echo Lake

Went on a Sacramento Trail Mix hike today to Echo Peak.  We met at the Folsom Park and Ride at 7:30 this morning and drove up to Echo Lake, taking Highway 50 East about 2 miles past Sierra at Tahoe Ski Resort, turning left (North) at the brown Berkeley Camp / Echo Lake sign.  About a half mile down this road is Echo Lakes Road.  Turn left and continue about a quarter mile to the Echo Lake parking lot.

The trail head starts just across the small dam near the boat ramp.  It follows the south side of the lake and then starts ascending.  This is part of the Tahoe Rim Trail.  If you stay on the trail, it goes toward Aloha Lake.  Instead, follow the trail upward (toward Triangle Lake, I think the sign said) and keep veering right and up when faced with forks in the path.  This leads you to a smaller summit.  Follow the ridge up to the left to Echo Peak.  It's a fairly strenuous 5.5 miles from the boat ramp to the peak, about a 2000 foot gain in elevation.  But, the path along Echo Lake is very scenic and the view from the top is truly breath taking.

From Echo Peak you have gorgeous views in every direction, especially toward the east and southeast where Lake Tahoe dominates the horizon.  I rated this hike 5 stars on the Trail Mix site.  Check out some of the photos I took on Picasa to see why.

From Echo Peak via Echo Lake - 09/26/2010