Tag: Desolation Wilderness

Lake of the Woods

Explore the beautiful Lake of the Woods

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Tom’s Experience hiking to Lake of the Woods:

Lake of the Woods is about 11 miles round trip from the Echo Lakes Trailhead, and is a very large lake.

Lake of the Woods Desolation Wilderness

Camping is limited around the lake due to restoration projects but it is still a great place to spend the day.

Hike to Lake of the Woods

The trail to Lake of the Woods is on the way to Lake Aloha and past Tamarack Lake.

Lake of the Woods Tahoe

Dogs are allowed on this trail.

Lake of the Woods Hike

The trail starts out making its way around Echo Lakes and then it starts to climb. There will be a sign pointing the way towards Lake of the Woods at the top of the steep climb.

Trail to Lake of the Woods

Climb a little higher and then you will drop down into the lake. Total elevation change is about 1000 ft.

Tom’s Rating:

Trail Info: To get to the Echo Lakes Trailhead from South Lake, head southwest on the 50. Turn right onto a very small paved road called the Lincoln Highway that starts heading up the mountain. There are a few signs on the paved road. Follow that road until you turn right on Echo Lakes Road. Follow Echo Lakes Road until you reach a parking lot. If you drive into Echo Lake you have gone too far.

GPS:

Echo Lakes Trailhead:   38.835141,-120.044515

Lake of the Woods:     38.852442,-120.118117

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Aloha Lake

Hike to the Unique Lake Aloha

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Tom’s Experience hiking to Lake Aloha:

Lake Aloha in the Desolation Wilderness is one of the most unique mountain lakes I have ever been too. It almost looks as if someone built a granite maze and then filled it with water.

Aloha Lake Trail


 

The lake is very large but there are numerous places where you can walk out onto the lake. We did this as a day hike but I wish we would have spent the night so I would have had more time to explore the lake.

Lake Aloha Tahoe

There are many ways to get to Aloha Lake but the shortest and easiest route is starting at the Echo Lake Trailhead. From here it is about 12 miles roundtrip. The trail around Echo Lake is pretty level and very pretty.

Echo Lake Trailhead

You will pass numerous summer cabins which are all very pretty. If you would like, there is a water shuttle that will take you from the trailhead to Upper Echo Lake which will then meet up with the trail. I am not sure of the cost or how often it runs, but it looked like a fun and quick alternative.

Backpacking to Aloha Lake

Most of the elevation gain on this hike happens after Upper Echo Lake where the trail starts to climb up some switchbacks. One of my favorite parts of this hike was looking back down at Upper Echo Lake and the many islands that are in that lake. On your climb up you will pass a sign for Tamarac Lake. Continue straight for Aloha Lake.

Lake Aloha Desolation Wilderness

Most of the trail is very well marked but we brought a topo map and were glad we did. After the climb, the trail levels off once again and leads straight to Aloha Lake.

Aloha Lake

In order to spend the night in the Desolation Wilderness you need to obtain a permit. Day permits are available at the trailhead. Dogs are allowed on this trail.

Tom’s Rating:

Trail Info: To get to the Echo Lakes Trailhead from South Lake, head southwest on the 50. Turn on right onto a very small paved road called the Lincoln Highway that starts heading up the mountain. There are a few signs on the paved road. Follow that road until you turn right on Echo Lakes Road. Follow Echo Lakes Road until you reach a parking lot. If you drive into Echo Lake you have gone too far.

GPS:

Echo Lakes Trailhead:   38.835141,-120.044515

Lake Aloha:     38.862881,-120.136753

Similar Adventures:

 Please comment below to share your experience hiking to Lake Aloha. Don’t forget to register to receive the Travel Tom’s Newsletter by submitting your email in the bar above.