Summary 
| Difficulty | 3 Intermediate |
| Length | 8.4 miles round trip |
| Starting Elevation |
7350 feet |
| Cumulative Elevation Change |
+650, -650 feet |
| Navigation | Road, map and compass |
| Time | Most of a 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. |
Description
After two miles of easy skiing across stark Echo Lakes you may want to venture beyond to explore and enjoy some of the nearby slopes and have the opportunity to look back and down on the lakes. Trekking on to Tamarack Lake is a great way to add a destination to your exploration.
Tamarack Lake is nestled in a little basin of its own and up against slopes much steeper than the ones you ascend to reach it. These slopes to the south and west of the lake guarantee that the lake will be shrouded in shade the entire winter; don't journey here thinking that you are going to spend a sunny afternoon lunchtime.
From Tamarack Lake it is only a short ski south to Ralston Lake and Cagwin Lake if you have more energy to burn. Tamarack Lake is also just off the longer route to Desolation Valley.
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 lakes basin.
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 your each its northwest end (3).
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).
Waypoint 5 to 6
Miles: 3.3 - 4.2
Elevation change: +400 feet
Ski west, at first climbing gradually and as you near the lake more steeply, for a total of 0.9 mile until you reach Tamarack Lake (6).
Return to trailhead
Miles: 4.2 - 8.4
Elevation change: +100, -550 feet
Retrace the route for 4.2 miles back to the trailhead (1).
