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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) or day trip the PCT past Lake Aloha to Heather Lake where some big brown trout swim around.

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)