Echo Lakes

South Lake Tahoe

September 26, 27, 28 2025

So you’re ready for another RADventure? Perfect! This one is serving up alpine lakes, epic trails and of course a Sunday FUNday at the beach. We are headed back to South Lake Tahoe to hike an epic piece of the PCT (Pacific Crest Trail) and TRT (Tahoe Rim Trail) full of alpine lakes and gorgeous views. The trail isn’t the most difficult but it will be challenging enough to make you earn a good Sunday FUNday celebration.

Below you’ll find important information like the trip itinerary, lodging information, trail data and, of course, training hikes to get you ready. Scroll down to learn more and, as always, if you have questions please give me a call or text.

Trip Itinerary & Overview

Friday September 26 - Arrival & Sunset Hike - We are scheduled to arrive in South Lake Tahoe on Friday afternoon. Check-in for our condo is 4PM. We’ll get settled and leave the condo for a sunset hike. The sunset hike will start from the condo where we’ll walk into Van Sickle Bi-State Park. The hike is about 3.5 miles out and back. It’s a pretty easy hike, a good prep hike for Saturday. Keep your fingers crossed for an epic Tahoe sunset then we’ll walk back to the condo at dusk (bring headlamps), group dinner at the condo and prep for Saturdays hike.

Saturday September 27 - Echo Lakes Hike - We’ll plan to leave the hotel at about 6:30am to get to the trailhead at the Echo Lakes Chalet by about 7am. We’ll get parked and hit the trail. Our trail begins at the Echo Lakes Chalet along Echo Lakes, a beautiful setting with great views of the valley and surrounding peaks. The trail is about 13 miles with about 1,500’ of total elevation gain. I anticipate the hike to take about 6-ish hours. See below for more info about the trail.

I’m sure everyone will be ready to eat and celebrate with a few “soda’s”. We’ll head to Lake Tahoe AleWorx at the ‘Y’ for food and drinks.

Sunday September 28 - Sunday FUNday - You can’t go to Lake Tahoe without enjoying the lake and surrounding beaches. Pack your beach chairs, sun shades, coolers and paddle boards, we’re headed to the lake. There’s several beaches to choose from and I haven’t narrowed it down, so it’ll be a surprise but there will be a beach, sunshine🤞🏼, cold drinks and a place to SUP.

Monday September 29 - Check out - Unfortunately, all good things come to an end but they don’t have to. Check out is 10am but there’s still time to enjoy SLT. Make the most of your day and travel home safe! Planning for 2026 starts soon!

Lodging

Lodging - This year we are trying something new. We will share a condo at Gondola Vista in South Lake Tahoe. Located steps from the Heavenly ski resort gondola and the state line shops, less than one mile from the lake's sandy shores and just minutes from both forest land and the area's favorite restaurants, it's the perfect home base for our RADventure.

Gondola Vista’s luxury vacation rentals offer premium amenities, comfort, location at a reasonable price. A six bedroom condo is booked for everyone who confirmed they are attending. Room pricing will be released soon.

Echo Lakes Trail Details

This years RADventure we’re back in the Desolation Wilderness hiking a section of the famed Pacific Crest Trail and Tahoe Rim Trail along sparkling alpine lakes and towering granite peaks. The Echo Lakes to Aloha Lake and Lake of the Woods trail is our trail and it’s got it all!

Starting at the Echo Chalet, this roughly 13 mile out and back hike hugs the shoreline of Lower and Upper Echo Lakes — a mellow and scenic warm-up. The Pacific Crest Trail and Tahoe Rim Trail overlap here, giving the route serious long-distance hiking cred and a well-maintained feel.

Once past the lakes, the trail ascends about 1000’ over Echo Pass, taking you through forests, granite outcrops, and wildflower-filled meadows. Expect steady elevation gain along a rocky trail with a few switchbacks. Good hiking shoes and trekking poles will be helpful. There’s plenty of places to stop and rest while taking in the jaw-dropping views of Upper and Lower Echo Lakes, Lake Tamarack and Ralston Lake along the way.

We’ll make our way through the forrest, past Lake Margery and begin to descend upon the crown jewel of the hike. Sitting just below 8,200 feet, Aloha Lake is a sprawling, glacier-carved lake dotted with granite islands and surrounded by jagged peaks. Its high alpine beauty is surreal, a great place to stop for a snack, photos and maybe even a dip in the cold, clear waters…Aloha!

We’ll leave Aloha Lake and take a connector trail to Lake of the Woods, a lesser-traveled gem that is more secluded, with a peaceful, woodsy vibe. A short walk around the Lake to a short climb of about 400’, the trail will merge back onto the PCT/TRT and we’ll begin our hike back to the Chalet.

Echo Lakes to Aloha Lake and Lake of the Woods is a true Sierra classic — combining accessibility with alpine beauty. A great day hike, this trail delivers some of the best views in the Tahoe region without the chaos of Yosemite.

📍 Desolation Wilderness, CA - Echo Lakes

🥾 Distance: ~13 miles out and back

⛰️ Elevation: 7,370’ to 8,350’

⬆️ Total Ascent: ~1,600 ft

🔥 Difficulty: Moderate to moderately challenging

⛏️ Trail Conditions

  • Well-marked and maintained throughout

  • Rocky sections

  • Moderate exposure to sun and wind above Echo Lakes

  • Mosquitoes can be intense early season — bring bug protection!

🧭 Pro Tips

  • Desolation Wilderness Day Hiking Permit required

  • Start early

  • Good hiking shoes and trekking poles are helpful

  • Plenty of water access along the trail — Bring water and we’ll filter as needed

  • Trail snacks and electrolytes are always a good idea

  • Weather can change quickly — layer up

⭐️ Highlights

  • Walking along the famed Pacific Crest Trail and Tahoe Rim Trail

  • Scenic views of alpine lakes and peaks that rival anything in the Sierra

  • Swimming in Aloha Lake (Don’t forget your swimming suits!)

  • Hiking with an awesome crew in a stunning setting

  • Crushing a few post hike beers with your favorite hikers 🍻

Training Hikes

This hike is a moderate to moderately challenging hike. It’s not the tallest mountain, it’s not the steepest climb and it’s not the longest hike we’ve done, however, thirteen miles above 7000’ on a rocky trail, carrying a backpack does require some training to make this a much more enjoyable experience.

The training hikes will be on local trails and mostly on Sunday mornings. Many will be guided and some we’ll ask you do on your own. The trails will begin short and increase in mileage over coming weeks. Please plan to hike with the gear you’re planning to use in Tahoe (shoes, pack, poles, clothes, etc). There’s only about twelve busy weeks before “Go Time”, we need to get back on the trail!

  • June 29 - Guidotti, 4 mi 650’

  • July 13 - Palo Corona Animas Pond, 5.5 mi 650’

  • July 19 - Toro Regional Park Meyers Loop, 5.8 mi 600’

  • July 26/27 - Hike 6 miles this weekend

  • Aug 3 - Guidotti to Laguna Seca, 6.5mi 730’

  • Aug 10 - Mitteldorf Preserve Bunk House Loop 7.5mi 1340’ (Permit Required)

  • Aug 16/17 - Hike 7 miles this weekend

  • Aug 24 - Toro Regional Park Meyers Loop to Gary’s Perch, 8mi 975’

  • Aug 30 - Guidotti to 3 Sisters, 9 mi 980’

  • Sept 6 - Mitteldorf Preserve, 9.35mi 1875’ (Permit Required)

  • Sept 14 - Toro Regional Park Toyon to 1800 to E. Ridge Loop, 10 miles 2200’

  • Sept 20 - Creekside Terrace, 3.75 mi 330’

  • Sept 27 - South Lake Tahoe Echo Lakes Trail 13mi, 1600’ LET’S GOOOO!!