Echo Lakes

South Lake Tahoe

September 26, 27, 28 2025

IT’S TIME!!

It’s Time!! Here we come South Lake Tahoe. Are you ready for alpine lakes, epic trails and of course a Sunday FUNday at the beach? In about a week we’re 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 is challenging enough but if you’ve been training you’re ready and everyone is ready for a good Sunday FUNday celebration.

Below you’ll find up to date information including the trip itinerary, lodging information, trail data and, of course, the Sunday FUNday plan!. 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 - SLT Temp 73°/40°

We are scheduled to arrive in South Lake Tahoe on Friday afternoon. Check-in at the Gondola Vista condo is 4PM. We’ll get settled and leave the condo for a sunset hike by 6PM, sunset is at 6:51PM. The sunset hike will start from the condo where we’ll hike into Van Sickle Bi-State Park. The hike to the sunset spot is about a mile. It’s a pretty easy hike, a good prep hike for Saturday. Keep your fingers crossed for an epic Tahoe sunset. It’s expected to be a pretty warm day, about 73°, once the sun goes down it’ll get cooler and we’ll hike back to the condo (don’t forget your headlamps and flashlights).

Dinner - We have a group dinner planned at the condo. We’ll place an order at Base Camp Pizza before we hike so we’ll have pizza and salad when we get back. We’ll hang out and get ready for Saturday.

Saturday September 27 - Echo Lakes Hike - SLT Temp 72°/40°

We’ll plan to leave the condo at about 6:45ish to get to the trailhead at the Echo Lakes Chalet by about 7:45am, accounting for stops for breakfast. Parking is somewhat limited so please carpool, the fewer cars the better. Also, keep in mind this is bear country. Please be aware of any food/garbage or good smells in your cars that may attract bears. If bears can smell it and want it, they will get it! 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.

Breakfast - “BYOB” Bring Your Own Breakfast…and trail food. Please plan to pack your breakfast at the condo or pick it up on the way to the trailhead, we won’t leave without you. There are a few Starbucks nearby or you can try Crazy Good Bakery, which is also on the way. Don’t forget to pack plenty of food and water for the trail.

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

The highlight of the evening will likely be Party with Arty (IYKYK)! Famous Tahoe DJ “Arty the Party” will be spinning the hits at Harrahs Lounge and the crowd is always worth watching…and joining in.

There’s also the inaugural Tahoe Games Mountain Sports Festival happening Saturday and Sunday. A mountain sports festival featuring live music, Pro MTB Big Air Comp, morning open air yoga, kids bike jump jam, vendors and more. This event is free. Click the link to learn more.

Sunday September 28 - Sunday FUNday - SLT Temp 68°/40°

You can’t go to Lake Tahoe without enjoying the lake and surrounding beaches, but first, we can’t start a Sunday FUNday without breakfast and Mimosas. We’ll make the most of our condo and have a Champagne Brunch “In” this year. Egg & potato casserole, build your own avocado toast, sausage, pancakes, fruit and of course…Mimosas to get us started. Please bring a bottle (or two) of prosecco/champagne to share with everyone for breakfast.

Pack your swimwear, beach chairs, sun shades, coolers and paddle boards, we’re headed to the lake. Round Hill Pines Resort is a great location for hosting Sunday FUNday! The resort is easy to get to, no permit required, parking is easy ($12/car for day use), has a restaurant and grille on site and the Beach Bar will be open serving their signature “Pain Killer” and “Rum Runner” along with other beverages and non-alcoholic drinks. Picnicking is allowed at RHP. There is a Safeway grocery store nearby if you’d like to grab sandwiches, chips and drinks before hitting the beach. Everyone is invited to spend the afternoon in the Tahoe sun before heading back to the condo. Please drive responsibly.

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 (30 Lake Parkway, South Lake Tahoe CA). 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.

The six bedroom condo is booked and ready to go! I‘ll send the unit number and door combo in the group text when I receive it.

Thank you all for making the booking process easy and reimbursing us for the rooms. The room reservations are as follows:

  • 1st Floor Bedroom #1 - Tollefsons

  • 1st Floor Bedroom #2 - Lebow

  • 2nd Floor Bedroom #3 - Wilsons

  • 3rd Floor Bedroom #4 - Frews

  • 3rd Floor Bedroom #5 - DiTullios

  • 3rd Flood Bedroom #6 - Lanes

Parking - Gondola Vista allows on four cars to park at the condo, two in the garage and two in front of the garage. We’ll park four of the smaller cars at the condo. The other two, my truck +1, will use the nearby public pay parking. Again, this is bear country so PLEASE be aware what you leave in your vehicles. We’ll sort out the parking details when we all arrive.

Food/Meals - As mentioned above, we have a couple shared group meals planned and “BYO-meals”. I’ll keep track of the shared meal costs for the trip, split between everyone and ask for reimbursement after the trip. The shared meals are Friday night pizza and groceries for Sunday FUNday breakfast and a few other staples (house snacks, etc).

The “BYO-meals” or “On Your Own-meals” are Saturday morning pre-hike breakfast, Saturday mid-hike lunch/snacks, Saturday post-hike lunch/dinner, Sunday FUNday lunch at the beach and Monday morning departure day.

“BYO-Drinks” - We all have various tastes when it comes to drinks/beer/cocktails. If you’d like to bring drinks, please do. There will be coolers to put them in to help save space in the refrigerator.

Communication - We will communicate using the “Echo Lakes ‘25”group text we’ve been using for the training hikes, etc. Cell service is good throughout South Lake Tahoe and about half of the Echo Lakes Trail.

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 and a towel!)

  • Hiking with an awesome crew in a stunning setting

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