Echo Summit to Half Moon Lake

Echo Summit to Half Moon Lake is a 31-mile out-and-back trail located near South Lake Tahoe in the Desolation Wilderness. This route begins at the Echo Summit Trailhead, which can be accessed easily off Highway 50 near South Lake Tahoe, about 1.5 hours south of Reno, Nevada and about 2 hours east of Sacramento, California. This trail crosses the glacially carved granite landscape of Desolation Wilderness by following the Pacific Crest Trail and Tahoe Rim Trail. This is an excellent backpacking trip if you are seeking a short adventure that includes plenty of alpine lakes in a beautiful wilderness setting. This loop takes place within the Desolation Wilderness which features granite peaks, glacial valleys, waterfalls, and scenic alpine lakes. There are pine forests and sparsely vegetated woodlands with juniper and chaparral. It has streams and meadows with a variety of your-round and perennial plants, including wildflowers, grasses, aspens, and willows. CONSIDERATIONSThe trails used on this loop are multi-use and are suitable for running, hiking, backpacking, camping, and horseback riding (bicycles are not allowed on the Pacific Crest Trail). LAKES VISIT ON THIS LOOPLower Echo Lake, Upper Echo Lake, Ralston Lake, Tamarak Lake, Lake Aloha, Susie Lake, Heather Lake, Alta Morris Lake, and Half Moon Bay Lake. MILES AND WAYPOINTS00.00 - Echo Summit01.00 - Cross Highway 5002.50 - Lower Echo Lake05.50 - Upper Echo Lake06.10 - Tamarak Lake06.50 - Ralson Lake10.40 - Lake Aloha11.90 - Trail junction / Head northeast12.50 - Heather Lake13.20 - Susie Lake16.50 - Alta Morris Lake16.80 - Half Moon Lake20.80 - Trail Junction / Lake Aloha - head south along Lake Aloha24.20 - Stay on the Pacific Crest Trail / Tahoe Rim Trail to avoid repeating an out-and-back to Tamarak Lake26.00 - Echo Lake31.20 - Echo SummitPERMITS AND CAMPINGDesolation Wilderness requires backcountry permits for day use and overnight stays. Permits, and permit information, can be found at www.recreation.gov. ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONEcho Summit Trailhead: https://tahoerimtrail.org/projects/echo-summit-trailhead/. Tahoe Rim Trail: www.tahoerimtrail.org. Pacific Crest Trail: www.pcta.org.