Trip Report

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4

Day 5 

Trip Information

SECOND SIX DAY BACKPACK - SEPTEMBER 21 - 26, 2010
This trip will be in the Desolation Wilderness.  The route is twenty-eight miles, from Lower Echo Lake to Meeks Bay, via Lake Aloha, Rockbound Valley, Middle Velma Lake and the Talent Lakes.  On the way we'll cross 8479 foot, Mosquito Pass and 8855 foot, Phipps' Pass.  This hike is rated about the same as our previous, Emigrant Wilderness, trip.  The bad news is that the Echo Lake shuttle boat will be closing for the season on Monday, September 5, so we'll have to walk the two-and-a-half miles around Lower and Upper Echo Lakes.  The plan is to hike North on the Pacific Crest Trail and stay the first night at Lake Aloha.  On our second day we'll continue on the PCT to the northeast corner of the lake, then turn West and North, crossing Mosquito Pass.  From there we descend, past the headwaters of the Rubicon River, into Rockbound Valley to the near the junction of the Rockbound Pass trail, where we'll spend the night along the West bank of the river.  The third day we continue North, down the valley, to the Velma Lakes Trail, turning East and climbing up to the PCT and camping at Middle Velma Lake.  On our fourth day we head North on the PCT for a mile, before turning northeast and climbing over Phipps Pass.  From the pass we continue North, descending to the Talent lakes, where we'll spend the night at the Crag Lake.  Our last day's hike will be down-canyon to Meeks Bay, on the West shore of Lake Tahoe, where we will have left a car for the end-of-hike shuttle.  We'll then drive the twenty-six miles back to Echo Lake, stopping in South Lake Tahoe for lunch.
 
For this trip we'll rendezvous at Taco Bell in Cordelia, on Tuesday, September 21.  From Interstate 80 (Eastbound) take the Suisun Valley Road exit.  Turn right and get into the left lane immediately.  Turn left at Central Place.  Taco Bell is ahead, on your right, just across the street from McBarnyard's Golden Starches.  Be there and ready to leave by noon.
 
From Cordelia we'll travel East on I-80 and US Highway 50, through Sacramento, Placerville and Pollock Pines, to the US Forest Service Visitor Center on Mill Run in Pacific House.  We'll stop there to pick up our Wilderness Permit and continue East on Hwy. 50, to South Lake Tahoe, where we may stop for dinner.  We'll then head around the West shore of Lake Tahoe, on Hwy 89, to Meeks Bay, where we'll leave a shuttle car.  Then we'll head back to South Lake Tahoe and take Hwy 50 West, over Echo Summit, turning off at Echo Summit Road, to the PCT trailhead parking lot.  There's no camping near Echo Summit and I'm not yet sure where we'll be bivouacking Tuesday night.  How about Harrah's?  Room service and breakfast-in-bed.  Now that's the way to start a week of sleeping on the ground.  Maybe a campsite in the City's El Dorado Beach Campground and breakfast at Frank's?  I'll come up with something.
 
Here is the current weather forecast for Lake Aloha - Elevation 8116:
 
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 58. Southwest wind 7 to 10 mph increasing to between 15 and 18 mph. Winds could gust as high as 22 mph.

Sunday Night: Clear, with a low around 42. Southwest wind 7 to 16 mph becoming north northeast. Winds could gust as high as 23 mph.

Labor Day: Sunny, with a high near 63. East wind between 14 and 17 mph becoming light. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph.

Monday Night: Clear, with a low around 39. West southwest wind at 8 mph becoming south southeast.

Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 55.

Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy and breezy, with a low around 37.

Wednesday: A chance of rain and snow showers. Partly cloudy and windy, with a high near 42.

Wednesday Night: A chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 36.

Thursday: A slight chance of rain and snow showers. Partly cloudy, with a high near 44.

Thursday Night: A slight chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 37.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 50.

Friday Night: Clear, with a low around 36.
 

This is the "Shoulder Season", weather conditions are variable.  THIS TRIP WILL BE WEATHER DEPENDANT.  If you intend to join us for this hike you MUST confirm your attendance with a phone call or email.  That means everyone.  I'll be checking the weather forecast daily and will keep you informed of changes.
 
 
FOR THIS HIKE YOU WILL NEED:

1.  Your 15 minute Fallen Leaf Lake Quad Map.
 
2.  Your Compass, Ruler and Sharp Pencil.  Set your magnetic declination to 14°(plus a very small skosh) East.
 
3.    Your tent
 
4.    Your sleeping bag and pad.
 
5.    First-Aid kit.
 
6.    Canteen or bladder, and water treatment system.
 
7.    Flashlight  (fresh batteries this time).
 
8.    Pot, cup and utensils.
 
9.    Stove and fuel for at least 12 meals.
 
10.  Clothing suitable for expected conditions.  You should carry rain gear for this trip.  Note forecast temperatures.  You may need extra insulation.
 
 
MEALS YOU WILL NEE FOR THIS TRIP
 
5 Breakfasts
5 Lunches
5 Dinners
 
The extra lunch and dinner are for emergency rations.
 
Don't forget trail snacks and please consider an electrolyte supplement for your water.
 
As always, if you have question please call or email me.  I'll be traveling to Oregon and Washington from September 8 through the 15, but I'll "have my ears on".  Cell: 707-338-6955  email: redleader429@comcast.net
 
Red Leader out