Eldorado National Forest

An adventurous journey with 10+ mile hikes
Trek into the wilderness and sleep in the backcountry
Pups are welcome at camp and on hiking trails
Places we've visited and fallen in love with

Hiking to Ralston Lake and Lake Aloha in Eldorado National Forest

Hiking to Ralston Lake and Lake Aloha in Eldorado National Forest

Hiking to Ralston Lake and Lake Aloha in Eldorado National Forest

Hiking to Ralston Lake and Lake Aloha in Eldorado National Forest

Designed by
Yvonne Leow
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Last updated
August 3, 2024

Trip · 3-day backpacking trip

For · Friends and intermediate backpackers

Vibe · Challenging and hard

Distance  · 24.2 miles and 4,462 feet of elevation gain

Permits · Yep, select Tamarack as your destination zone for your wilderness permit and apply for a CA Campfire permit online

Drive · 3 hours from SF

Ideal dates · August to October

Pets · Welcome on trails and campgrounds!

Eldorado National Forest (ENF) is 596,700+ acres of granite peaks, alpine lakes, and lush meadows. The forest features Desolation Wilderness (and parts of Mokelumne Wilderness), which is one of the most-visited backcountry destinations in the country! Elevation in the area can range from 1,000 to 10,000+ feet so you can experience a diversity of wild ecosystems.

Check Current Forest Conditions

Official Forest Service Website

Directions To Trailhead​

Main image credit: Tessa Morris

Stuff to know

  • You'll need a wilderness permit so reserve and print yours ASAP. It costs $6.
  • Apply and print out a CA campfire permit too. It only takes a few minutes online.
  • Black bears roam ENF all year, but keep your site clean and store food, and scented items properly, and you'll rarely spot them.
  • Bring rain gear, camp below the tree line, and avoid afternoon hikes (when thunderstorms are most likely)
  • The lowest elevation you’ll be at is 7,500 ft. so make sure you’re comfortable and/or familiar with the altitude
  • Face masks and social distancing are required. Recreate responsibly!

Resources

Check the weather
View of Echo Lake
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Itinerary

Day One

Frescana Mexican Bistro
Frescana Mexican Bistro. Credit: Yelp

Leave SF by 8 AM

If you're okay with adding ~1 hour to your trip, go to Frescana Mexican Bistro

  • Located at 3141 US Hwy 50, Ste. C, in South Lake Tahoe
  • Order a breakfast/lunch burrito to get energized before your trek!
  • Open everyday · 8 AM - 8 PM

Drive to Echo Lake parking lot

  • There’s a general store for last minute needs and treats
  • Campsites are also available should you need to buffer either end of your trek

Enjoy the 4.1 mile hike to Ralston Lake

  • At 3.6 miles, you’ll see a sign to turn left towards Tamarack and Ralston Lakes
  • The last 0.5 mile, you'll hike along Tamarack Lake, cross a small stream (keep an eye out for a felled tree), then reach Ralston Lake
  • There is a fair amount of flat ground with trees for shade and privacy on the NE side of Ralston Lake
  • If the lake level is high enough, there are some awesome cliffs to jump off of on the eastern side of the lake
  • Ralston Lake is very secluded with low foot traffic. We had the lake all to ourselves!

Settle in and set up camp

Car to camp: 4.1 miles - 965 feet of elevation gain - 3 hours

Desolation Wilderness is part of Eldorado National Forest, one of eight national forests along California's Sierra Nevada mountain range

Day Two

Tahoe National Forest
Credit: Tessa Morris

Hike to Lake of the Woods or Lake Aloha

  • It's a 4.6 mile round trip hike to Lake of the Woods or a 4.8 mile round trip hike to Lake Aloha
  • Enjoy views of the notorious Aloha Lake!

Or if you're feeling ambitious, hike to Ralston Peak

  • It's a 7.4 mile RT climb with 1,395 ft. of elevation gain
  • This hike ventures you above the tree line so bring lots of water and sunscreen!
  • Roughly the last 0.5 mile of this trail is marked by cairns so keep an eye out
  • From the summit, you can see 11 lakes!
Washoe and Maidu Native Americans were the first to traverse ENF before the Gold Rush brought thousands of emigrants to CA.

DAY THREE

Ralston Lake
Ralston Lake. Credit: Tessa Morris

Pack up and pack out before noon

  • Sleep-in, cook a hot breakfast and check for any litter around camp
  • Top off your water supply before you head out

Return to Echo Lake parking lot

  • Breath big, dive deep, emerge anew.

Head home

Camp to car: 4.1 miles - 961 feet of elevation gain - 3 hours

10,000+ years ago, glacial ice sheets carved out the basins where Echo Lakes and nearly 130+ lakes formed in Desolation Wilderness
June 1, 2024

Bewilder at LAist Super-Fun Saturday

Make wildflower seed bombs with Bezzi the Yeti at LAist's Super Fun Saturday

Event in 2 days

Bewilder Basecamp: Spooky Wonders

Join Bezzi the Yeti on her first spooky camping adventure!

Shop curated gear

Everything your family needs for a fun and easy campout

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$5

Pocket-sized UNO GO!

A classic, easy to learn game for the entire family

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$24

Supergoop! PLAY Everyday Lotion SPF 50

It's pricey, but Supergoop! makes putting on sunscreen feel smooth and easy.

Bezzi's Pick
$19

NATPAT BuzzPatch Mosquito Patches

A cute and colorful patch that repels mosquitoes with a natural repellent.

Bezzi's Pick
$19

Vlirka VNDS Shoe Holster

A neat way to pack, carry, and organize dirty shoes.

Bezzi's Pick
$32

High Tail Hikes Brass Leash

A lightweight, easy to clean customizable leash that comes in a rainbow of colors.

Bezzi's Pick
$49.95

Ruffwear Basecamp™ Dog Bed

A packable, easy to clean dog bed for the great outdoors.

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$17.99

Mighty Paw LED Dog Collar

A weather-resistant LED collar so your pup stays safe at night.

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$24.96

PupFlask Large Dog Water Bottle

A leakproof water bottle to quench your pup's thirst.

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$17.40

DOGSWELL Remedy + Recovery Bundle

Add this pup medication and liquid bandage bundle to your first aid kit.

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$139

Radius Outfitters Large Camp Kitchen Organizer

For avid campers, this organizer will keep your kitchen utensils clean and organized.

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$20

MyCarry Travel Potty

Bring a portable toilet to help your toddler stick to their indoor routine.

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Meal & snack ideas

It turns out everything tastes better when we're outside

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S'mores

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Dinner

Mac n' cheese

Vegetarian

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Lorissa's Kitchen Korean BBQ Steak Strips

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Solely Pineapple Coconut Fruit Jerky

Gluten Free · Vegan

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