Desolation Wilderness Lake Aloha

Desolation Wilderness contains one of the highest concentrations of alpine lakes in the Sierra Nevada, with over 115 lakes dotting a granite basin immediately west of Lake Tahoe. The route to Lake Aloha via the PCT departs from the Echo Lakes Chalet trailhead near Echo Summit on US-50, crossing the upper Echo Lakes via a water taxi (optional, saving 2 miles) before ascending through polished granite slabs and glacially carved basins.

Lake Aloha is a broad, shallow lake formed behind a granite dam, its surface level fluctuating with seasonal snowmelt and drawdown by the utility company that manages its outlet. At peak summer levels, the lake encompasses dozens of small granite islands and delivers a quintessential high Sierra landscape of blue water, white granite, and jagged peaks including Pyramid Peak at 9983 feet to the west.

The PCT passes along the northern shore of Lake Aloha before continuing toward Dicks Pass and the Tahoe rim. A day-use permit for Desolation Wilderness is required and is obtained online from Recreation.gov or at the Echo Lakes Chalet. Overnight permits have a quota and require advance reservation. The wilderness is within 35 miles of Sacramento and is among the most heavily visited alpine wilderness areas in the country. The water taxi at Echo Lakes operates summer weekends and reduces the round trip by approximately 4 miles.