Horse Camp to Echo Lake

Ten of us headed to Northern California to hike up to Echo Lake, which is a 3,000+ vertical feet and almost a 10 mile hike. Wow – what a hike is was. We started in the mid 60 degree weather and clear skies.

This hike just goes up and up. It was clear that there had been a big forest fire in the area and the results were visible, but not everywhere. Some trees were burned to the ground, with 12 to 18 inch holes in the ground where the roots had burned to ashes also. Other areas were untouched. As we got to higher elevation, the extent of the fire was incredible. Places that were once lush and very green were now rocks and charcoal. The trail from time to time decided to disappear, but the team work was able to find where it went. There were some big downed trees along the way that got in the way too, but again, the group figured out how best to get around or over them.

As we continued up the hill, we hit the meadow area which turned out to be one of the biggest flower fields I have seen this year. We hiked through plants waist high, containing every color and size of flower available. Then, finally up to Echo Lake and lunch. We were all tired and lunch was really enjoyed.

Going down was much easier because the trail was easier to find and we knew how to overcome the obstacles. As the day heated up, we were in the forest and it was warm but not hot for the hike back to the cars. It was a good warm up for our hike next week to the top of McLoughlin.

We had ice cream at the Ruch Cafe and we were all glad to have completed the hike.

Hike Leader: Keeley

Photos By: Denise, Keeley