This is a 3 night backpacking and fly fishing trip into the "Desolation Valley" area of the Desolation Wilderness. The general plan is to take the boat across Echo Lakes, hike into a great campsite, and explore around for a few days.
The "Desolation Valley" is comprised of many lakes, including American, Channel, and Desolation Lakes, and also has some of the best "stream" fishing in the Desolation Wilderness in a magical stretch of Pyramid Creek below Channel Lake and American Lake called the "Japanese Garden".
Day 1 - We start at the Echo Lake PCT Trailhead, take the boat shuttle to the far end of Upper Echo Lake, then take the PCT - 4 miles +1000/-400 ft to American Lake which is about 1/2 mile south of Lake Aloha, and set up camp.
Day 2 - Day hike around American and Desolation Lakes - 2-4 miles +400/-400 ft. Explore “off trail” around American, Channel, Desolation Lakes as well as south west (non trail) side of Lake Aloha.
Day 3 - Choice of more exploring the Desolation Valley Lakes (American, Channel, Desolation, Ropi) or day trip the PCT past Lake Aloha to Heather Lake where some big brown trout swim around or as in 2024 Susie Lake.
Day 4 - Backpack out from Lake of the Woods to Upper Echo Lakes TH and catch the boat back.
(american lake)
(chain lake)
(echo chalet boat ride saves 2.5 miles)
