Desolation Wilderness: Lake Aloha
📅 June 12–14 (Fri–Sun) · Aug. 14–16 (Fri–Sun)
Echo Summit, CA
Book Trip → $500 pp
About This Trip
Less than an hour from South Lake Tahoe, the Desolation Wilderness holds some of the most stunning alpine scenery in California — and Lake Aloha sits at the heart of it all. A vast, shallow granite lake dotted with dozens of small islands, framed by Pyramid Peak and the Crystal Range, it’s the kind of place that makes you stop mid-step just to take it in. This trip follows the Pacific Crest Trail from the Echo Lakes Trailhead into the backcountry, setting up a basecamp at Lake Aloha for two nights. On Day 2, we trade the heavy packs for daypacks and explore the surrounding lakes, swim off warm granite slabs, and simply enjoy being somewhere that took real effort to reach. With modest elevation gain and well-maintained trails, this is one of the most rewarding beginner backpacking routes in the Sierra Nevada — close enough to civilization to feel manageable, wild enough to change how you see the outdoors.
Trip Highlights
- Learn the fundamentalsof backpacking in a guided, low-pressure setting — packing, camp setup, water filtering, and Leave No Trace, all covered before you hit the trail
- Discover a deeper wildernessleave the crowds behind and experience the Desolation Wilderness the way it was meant to be seen: on foot, with everything you need on your back
- Camp on the shores of Lake Alohaa sprawling granite lake dotted with islands and framed by Pyramid Peak — one of the most spectacular basecamp settings in the Sierra Nevada
- Spend a full day exploring by daypackswim off warm granite slabs, wander to nearby Lake of the Woods, and soak in the open sky of the high alpine basin
- Walk away with real confidenceby Sunday you’ll have earned your backcountry miles and learned skills you’ll use for life
Trip Details — Desolation Wilderness: Lake Aloha
| Duration | 3 days / 2 nights |
| Distance | ~17 miles total · ~2,335 ft gain/loss |
| Elevation | ~7,414 – 8,350 ft |
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Group Size | Maximum 6 participants |
| Price | $500 per person (gear rental +$200 if needed) |
| Dates | June 12–14 (Fri–Sun) Aug. 14–16 (Fri–Sun) |
Day-by-Day Itinerary
DAY
1
1
Into the Desolation
We meet at the Echo Lakes Trailhead at Echo Summit, just off Highway 50, and set off along the Pacific Crest Trail. The first few miles wind gently alongside Lower and Upper Echo Lake, with the deep blue water visible through the trees and Lake Tahoe shimmering in the distance behind you. After crossing into the Desolation Wilderness boundary, the trail kicks up for a steady mile-and-a-half climb — the hardest part of the whole trip — before leveling out and opening into the stunning granite basin that holds Lake Aloha. We’ll find our campsite along the lake’s southeast shore, get set up while the afternoon light plays across the water and the Crystal Range, and cook dinner together as the day winds down around us.
An optional water taxi is available from Echo Chalet across the Echo Lakes (~$20/person one way), cutting 2.5 miles off the hike-in. We’ll decide as a group based on conditions and fitness.
~6.7 miles
+950 ft elevation
4–5 hrs
DAY
2
2
Lakes, Granite & Swimming
Today the heavy packs stay at camp. We set out with daypacks to explore the Aloha basin — a landscape of open granite, wind-bent pines, and cold, clear water in every direction. The lake itself is made for wandering: a meandering shoreline with dozens of small islands to hop between, warm slabs to swim from, and quiet inlets to find your own corner of wilderness. We’ll make our way over to Lake of the Woods — a striking contrast to Aloha’s open granite expanse — before heading back to camp for a well-earned afternoon in the sun. Tonight, dinner at the lake with Pyramid Peak glowing in the evening light.
~3–5 miles
Minimal gain
Flexible pace
DAY
3
3
Return to the Trailhead
After two nights in the granite basin, we pack up camp and retrace our steps back to Echo Lakes. The descent is gentle and the views are even better on the way out — now that you know the terrain, you’ll notice things you missed on the way in. We’ll arrive back at the trailhead mid-morning with tired legs and a deep sense of accomplishment. Plan for a celebratory lunch in South Lake Tahoe before heading home.
An optional water taxi is available from Upper Echo Lake back to the trailhead (~$20/person one way), cutting 2.5 miles off the hike-out. We’ll decide as a group based on conditions and fitness.
~6.7 miles
−950 ft elevation
4–5 hrs
📅 Average Conditions for Your Trip — June 12–14
Fri Jun 12
Cool, partly cloudy
62°
|
30°
☀ Bugs at dusk
Sat Jun 13
Sunny, warming midday
66°
|
28°
⚡ PM thunder possible
Sun Jun 14
Variable, cool out
60°
|
32°
❄ Cold start
Nights hit 25°F — coldest trip
☀ Peak mosquito season
❄ Snow patches on trail
⛰ Conditions to Know
- Coldest nights of our three trips — lows can hit 25°F in early June
- Possible snow patches on trail — early season, check conditions with Kyle
- Peak mosquito season — June Sierra mosquitoes are intense at dusk and dawn
- Afternoon thunderstorms common — be at camp before 3pm on exposed days
- Strong UV at 7,400–8,350 ft — altitude sun burns faster than you expect
- Campfires are strictly prohibited in Desolation Wilderness
★ Pack These — Non-Negotiable
- Down or synthetic puffy jacket — every night at camp, no exceptions
- Sleeping bag rated 30–40°F — or add a liner to your 40°F bag
- DEET 30%+ bug repellent — natural repellents won’t cut it
- Bug head net — weighs nothing, invaluable at June camp
- Wool base layer bottoms — for cold mornings and nights
- Waterproof rain jacket — afternoon thunder, keep in top of pack
What’s Included
- All required wilderness permits
- Tents and sleeping pads
- Cooking equipment and stove
- All meals from Day 1 dinner through Day 3 lunch
- Water filtration
- Expert guide
Not Included
- Personal hiking boots and socks
- Personal clothing and rain gear
- Sleeping bag (rentals available)
- Transportation to trailhead
- Personal snacks and beverages beyond meals
- Gratuities (appreciated but never required)
Ready to Join Us?
Spots fill fast — get in touch and we’ll get you on the trail.