Pick a bluebird day and pack plenty of pep for an excursion to Echo Lakes, the southern gateway to Desolation Wilderness and one of the most glorious (and dog-friendly) ski and snowshoe destinations in the Sierra.
The connecting bodies of water just north of Highway 50 at Echo Summit are frozen over in winter, and their flat, easy-going surfaces are ideal for both human and canine novices. The wide-open frozen lakes give your dog room to romp and explore, while the packed snow on the surface makes for steady footing — a rare treat for pups who tend to posthole through deep powder on backcountry trails.
Park in the lot at Johnson’s Pass Road (Sno-Park permit required), strap on your gear and trek about a mile, mostly downhill, to reach the lower lake. Go as far in as you like: it’s about a mile to the far side of Lower Echo and another 2.5 miles to the far end of the upper lake. Either way, prepare for scenic overload—and save plenty of energy for the uphill slog back to your car. At the end of a long day, you’ll wish you were mushing behind a fresh team of dogs rather than panting alongside a tired Rover.
A few tips for the trip: Bring plenty of water for both you and your dog, since eating snow can lower your pup’s core temperature. Dog booties or paw wax help protect against ice balls forming between toe pads, which can cause limping and discomfort. And if you’re snowshoeing, keep your dog on a short leash near the trailhead parking area — the downhill approach can get icy, and a lunging pup on a slippery slope is no fun for anyone.
The views here are worth every step. Surrounded by granite peaks and towering pines dusted in white, Echo Lakes in winter feels like your own private snow globe. On a clear day, the silence is almost total — just the crunch of snow, the jingle of a collar, and maybe the distant call of a Steller’s jay. It’s one of those Tahoe experiences that sticks with you long after the drive home.
