Aloha Lake - hiking at the top of the world

Location: Desolation Wilderness

Distance: 11.8 miles round trip (7 hours)

Difficulty: Strenuous

Elevation Gain: Approximately 2125 feet

Hiking past Echo Lakes on to the Desolation Forest you will find one of Tahoe’s most intimate secrets. Aloha Lake is a crystal gem of melted snow and granite. Like stepping into a life size meditation fountain, it seems surrealistic and dreamlike. Locals have escaped here for many years and there are several ways to reach Aloha Lake, our first route starts at Lilly Lake. This route is the prettiest way to go.The second route starts out at Echo Lakes and if you like to fish-this is the way to go.

How to Get There From South Lake Tahoe, take highway 89 north past Camp Richardson. Make a left turn onto Fallen Leaf Lake Road and follow it all the way to the back side of the lake.

There you will eventually see a sign to your left indicating Lilly Lake.Take this road and follow it to the end where you will find ample parking, pit toilets, a trail map and wilderness permits (be sure to fill out one of these permits before you head out). There are actually two ways to reach Lake Aloha from Lilly Lake but we decided to start from the trail head at the end of the parking lot.

According to the map, this route is slightly longer of the two (about a 6 mile hike one way) but along the way you will get to see historic Gilmore Springs as well as the beautiful Suzie and Heather Lakes.

This trail sees an elevation gain of about 1,600 feet and is rated "strenuous" or "difficult".

The toughest section of this trail is from the trail head up to Suzie Lake as it is uphill all the way with loose golf ball to baseball size rocks under foot. In other words, watch your step or else you will be hobbling back home with a sprang ankle or worse.

There are some sections where stone steps have been erected but these are BIG steps so again, take your time here especially if you are carrying a heavy pack. Mosquitoes will bit right through your socks and cloths if you don' t bring some repellent. I have heard that Lake Aloha actually dries up quite a bit by the end of August but I have also heard that the mosquito problems isn't nearly as bad by then too. Hiking this trail in the Summer time can be quite hot and harsh so make sure to come prepared. First and most importantly, I would highly recommend bringing an ample amount of water and a water purification system cause you will need it. Second, be sure to pack sun screen a hat and some kind of wind protection and a bathing suit.

he weather can change from hot and dry to rain and windy at a moments notice-but Tahoe recieves about 300 sunny days per year, so if you are up here in the summer there is nothing like a quick dip, dry time on a beautiful granite slab and then off, refreshed for the next leg of the journey. You may encounter several deep snow drifts to cross... even in the summer months-this is truly the top of the world. The second way to reach Aloha Lake is to drive to Echo Lake off of Hwy 50 first.

Take the water taxi to the top of Echo Lakes and follow the trailhead further into Desolation Wilderness about 4 miles to Aloha Lake.

You can make this an easy trip by taking the water taxi that is available to cross Echo Lake either both ways or just one way. By driving to Echo Lakes first you will eliminate alot of the strenuous up hill in high altitude to complicate things for those unaclimated.

This route will follow the ridge line more or less. The views are unbelievable so bring that camera and remember... Take only pictures..leave only footprints.