Echo Lake, Pacific Crest

The trail northwest from Sonora Pass starts gently, tracing the East Fork Carson River through a valley before climbing into the high country. The first few miles eased me in, and the sound of rushing water was a steady companion. But soon, another ascent begins, and my legs feel the strain as the path winds through rocky terrain and sparse woodland. The air thins as I gain elevation, and I often pause to catch my breath, hydrate and replenish my energy with a protein bar while taking in the views.

I reach Ebbetts Pass, a place with a name tied to the Gold Rush era. John Ebbetts, a fur trader turned guide, led prospectors through this rugged terrain in 1851, believing it could be a viable route for a transcontinental railway. But later surveys deemed it too steep and treacherous. He planned to return for further exploration, but fate had other plans—three years later, he was killed in a steamer explosion. Standing at the pass, I try to picture him seeing a land full of promise yet relentless in its challenges.

As I round Raymond Peak, the trail rolls up and down, gaining and losing elevation as I approach Wet Meadows Reservoir. I’m struck by the number of lakes on this stretch, each with a delightful name—Lilypad, Summit, and Sunset—evoking peace and serenity. After pushing myself up the south side of Nipple Peak, I finally reach the ridge, where the blazing sun beats down without a hint of shade. The exposed trail feels never-ending, but just when I think I can't take it anymore, it dips near the West Fork Carson River, and a patch of chaparral woodland offers a much-needed moment of relief.

I finally reach Carson Pass, once a key point along the California Trail, travelled by thousands of emigrants during the Gold Rush. Later, it became part of the Eldorado Trail, linking the Sierra foothills to the bustling mining towns.

Nearby is the Devil’s Ladder, a landmark etched into the region’s history. The climb up from Red Lake, marked by Devil’s Ladder, was notorious for its brutality. Wagons had to be unloaded, and their contents were carried uphill by men while oxen teams winched the empty wagons up the steep slopes. The physical marks of this effort—rope scars on trees and wagon ruts carved into granite—are still visible in the landscape. 

From Carson Pass, I ventured through the expansive Dixon Valley, skirted the serene shores of Showers Lake, and slowly descended into Echo Lake, a quaint community nestled near the glacial waters in the heart of Eldorado National Forest. The forest itself is a stunning landscape, stretching from the foothills at 1,000ft (300m) to the towering peaks of the Sierra crest, reaching over 10,000ft (3,000m). It’s a mix of dramatic canyons and vast plateaus, with the land covered in chaparral, oak woodlands, and dense forests of pine, fir, and ancient old-growth trees.