Difficulty | 2 Beginner-intermediate |
Length | 2.4 to 6.6 miles round trip |
Starting Elevation |
7350 feet |
Cumulative Elevation Change |
+250, -250 feet |
Navigation | Road |
Time | Few hours to half day |
Season | Mid-December through mid-April (it may not be safe to ski on the lakes early and late in the season) |
Snowmobiles Use | Not permitted [Please report illegal use of snowmobiles in this area] |
USGS Topo | 7.5' series, Echo Lake |
Start | Echo Lake Sno-Park. From 1.2 miles west of the Echo Summit Maintenance Station on Highway 50, drive 0.6 mile east on Johnson Pass Road toward Berkeley Camp to the Sno-Park. The actual trailhead is the snow-covered road opposite the entrance to the Sno-Park. |
Echo Lakes is a very, very popular destination for skiers and snowshoers alike. They are a perfect place for a leisurely day or night tour; by moonlight the skiing seems effortless over the glowing lakes.
Access to the lakes is via an easy to follow road. Once you arrive you can roam the lakes at your leisure and absorb the starkness of the basin that contrasts with the ridges that rise above.
The tour to Echo Lakes is rated beginner-intermediate because of the modestly steep, but short, downhill run from the highest point to Lower Echo Lake. Rank beginners may choose this tour knowing that they will have some difficulty with this section.
Echo Lakes is also notorious for windy conditions. When the winds are strong, two people holding a jacket between them, or even better a small tarp, can literally sail across the hard surface at an amazingly high speed. Kite flying can also be great if you have a durable one and unbreakable string.
Echo Lakes are usually solid enough to safely ski on during the mid-winter months. Regardless, of the month, you should always assess the conditions before skiing on the lakes. Avoid the inlets and the outlets of the lakes where the ice tends to be thinner.
Usually you can ski along the south edge of Echo Lakes when it is unsafe to ski on the lakes themselves. Skiing along the summer trail on the north side of the lakes is slow, more difficult, and no substitute for the open, hard-packed surface of the lakes.
Please stay away from the many privately owned cabins at Echo Lakes. Also, be aware that overnight camping is not permitted in the basin.
A short extension of this tour takes you to Tamarack Lake while the extension to Desolation Valley is long. But if you are looking for a grand view and excellent downhill terrain you will want to climb Echo Peak.
Mileage Log
Numbers in parentheses
correspond to mileage points on map
Waypoint 1 to 2
Miles: 0.0 - 1.2
Elevation change: +150, -100 feet
Locate the snow-covered road and trailhead (1)opposite the entrance to the Sno-Park and follow the road northwest for 1.2 miles until you reach the southeast end of Lower Echo Lake (2). You can expect a gradual climb followed by a short, steep descent to the lake. Stay left on the obvious main road if you see any road junctions.
Waypoint 2 to 3
Miles: 1.2 - 2.6
Elevation change: Nil
If it is safe, ski northwest across the lower lake for 1.4 miles until you reach its northwest end (3). Otherwise ski along the south edge of Echo Lakes. Skiing along the summer trail on the north side of the lakes is slow, more difficult, and no substitute for the open, hard-packed surface of the lakes.
Waypoint 3 to 4
Miles: 2.6 - 2.7
Elevation change: Nil
Ski west for 0.1 mile until you reach the southeast end of Upper Echo Lake (4).
Waypoint 4 to 5
Miles: 2.7 - 3.3
Elevation change: Nil
Ski northwest across the upper lake for 0.6 mile until you reach its northwest end (5).
Return to trailhead
Miles: 3.3 - 6.6
Elevation change: +100, -150 feet
Retrace the route for 3.3 miles back to the trailhead (1).