Mile 1093.4 to 1100.4 – 7 miles total hiked on PCT

Back to the trail…

It would be a short day. The plan was a hike from Echo Lakes trailhead to at least the 1100 mile point on the PCT. Then I would camp somewhere along Lake Aloha.

Before I would have to get to Echo Lakes.

It shouldn’t have been this hard. I had arranged a ride up to Echo Lakes from South Lake Tahoe around midday. But when we got to a roundabout in Myers, we were turned back by police.

Apparently, there was a chemical spill near Ice House, which was west of Echo Summit on Highway 50. We should’ve been allowed through, but they didn’t let us go.

We ended up going back to South Lake Tahoe and then going another way. Fortunately, police officer at that intersection understood that Echo Lakes was nowhere near the hazmat situation and that we could go through.

So after finally getting to Echo Lakes, I decided to have an ice cream cone from the store at the last piece of civilization. 😄🤣🍦🍦🍦

Initial hike alongside Echo Lakes was pretty straightforward. Not too much elevation gain or loss. But a lot of day hikers.

The tricky part was after the second lake there was a steep climb up towards Lake aloha. but even with the delay getting out of South Lake Tahoe I had plenty of time to climb up to the lake.

Lake Aloha finally came of you and it was as gorgeous as I remembered.

And then I hit the 1100 mile mark! The trail made mileage sign was a little reserved for my taste, but you take what you can get. Celebrating another milestone!

Not too surprisingly, I found a good campsite shortly afterwards. 😀

It was out on a peninsula, but it had some wind protection and easy access to the water.

Water for cooking, drinking, and jumping into and taking a swim!!!🏊

And a view of the sunset to die for.