Barker Pass to Echo Lakes

Cutting through the granite heart of Desolation Wilderness, 32 miles of often rugged trail trek through a glacially sculpted and starkly beautiful land. Near Echo Lakes, lakes lie cradled in rocky basins amid dense conifer stands and pockets of wildflowers. Closer to Barker Pass is a rolling terrain of polished granite and glacial moraines, decorated with meadows, ephemeral creeks, and thick woods. There are several connector trails that connect this section of the Tahoe Rim Trail (also the Pacific Crest Trail) with the Lake Tahoe Basin, including the Glen Alpine trail and the Meeks Bay Trail.

Barker Pass: on Blackwood Canyon Road, 7.5 miles west of its intersection with Highway 89 at Kaspian Campground, 4 miles south of Tahoe City and 4 miles north of Tahoma. Roadside parking.

Echo Lakes: from Highway 50 follow signs for Echo Lake north for 1 mile to parking lot on Echo Summit Road. Trail begins at the dam below Echo Chalet. Limited parking.

Barker Pass to Tahoe City

13 miles of trail zig-zag from glorious views on the crest of the Sierra, through granite canyons brilliant with wildflowers, to the cool forested rim of Lake Tahoe. At the head of Ward Canyon, a 100' waterfall plunges into a sparkling pool, creating a haven for picnicking or swimming.

Barker Pass: on Blackwood Canyon Road, 7.5 miles west of its intersection with Highway 89 at Kaspian Campground, 4 miles south of Tahoe City and 4 miles north of Tahoma. Roadside parking.

Tahoe City - South: on the 89, 1/8 mile south of the Truckee River, in a large parking lot for the Tahoe Rim Trail (TRT), bike path and river access. TRT kiosk is on the north end of the lot.

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