Echo Lake to Lake Aloha is a 12-mile round trip that earns its difficult rating with a steady 6-mile climb to the destination. You’ll find the trailhead on US Highway 50—look for the signed turnoff to Echo Lake about 0.5 mile west of Echo Summit, then drive roughly a mile to the parking lot near Lower Echo Lake. The actual trail starts at the dam below Echo Chalet.

From the dam, the path hugs the shoreline of Lower Echo Lake, passing gnarled trees and old cabin homes before curving south over rocky terrain between the two lakes. At the trail junction, you can detour left to the Echo Lake Taxi Pier if your dog needs a break (the water taxi runs back to the chalet), but to reach Lake Aloha you’ll continue straight onto the steady climb.

Once you enter Desolation Wilderness after about 0.6 miles, the terrain opens up and things get quieter. The next stretch is where navigation matters—multiple trails branch off, so stick with the TRT/PCT markers. You’ll climb through open granite slopes, then alternating sections of dense forest with red firs and mountain hemlocks, followed by small meadows dotted with wildflowers depending on the season.

The entire hike is dog-friendly and open to hikers and equestrians (no bikes allowed since it’s a wilderness trail). Bring plenty of water for yourself and your dog, especially for that second half where shade becomes sporadic. Lake Aloha itself is a solid turnaround point—the granite shoreline gives you places to sit and let your dog cool off in the water if they’re comfortable swimming. The return is mostly downhill, which is easier on the legs but still takes time. Start early if you’re going for the full round trip, as the high elevation means weather can shift quickly in afternoon thunderstorms.