Aloha Lake

So many lakes!

Lake Tahoe may be the most well known lake in the ... Lake Tahoe area ... but there are many beautiful lakes that one can visit without having to deal with the chaos of Highway 50 on a weekend.

Two weeks ago, when we summited Mount Tallac, we could see Aloha Lake below Pyramid Peak, and we decided then that we wanted to check this area out.

Moonrise.

The start of the hike is pretty busy, as this is a popular drop-off point for the PCT and there is an optional water taxi that can take you to the far end of Upper Echo Lake. We wanted the full experience, besides which the trail was well maintained and relatively flat.

Looking back at Upper Echo Lake.

After reaching the end of Upper Echo Lake, the trail starts climbing as it passes several other lakes (Triangle Lake, Lake Lucille), before dropping back down onto Aloha Lake.

Pyramid Peak, the highest peak in the Desolation Wilderness, above Aloha Lake.

This area had lots of slabs leading into the water, which I imagine are often used as campsites. I went for a swim, and the water was surprisingly not that cold.

Aki waiting patiently.

On the way back, we skirted the eastern shore of Aloha Lake and made our way to Lake of the Woods, another surprisingly large lake hidden amongst the trees and hanging valleys.

This flower is called Pretty Face.

Climbing up from Lake of the Woods back to the PCT was probably the steepest part of the trail, but still very manageable and there were lots of wildflowers all over.

At higher elevations, the wildflowers are still in bloom.

On the way back, I took a longer look at the cliffs that were above Upper Echo Lake. We'll be back to climb them sometime.