Echo Chalet

Such a cute place. I spent a couple of days backpacking in Desolation Wilderness. It was great to visit this place after our hike. Had an ice cream and beverage. The staff were really friendly.

This place has a country store, deli, and ice cream service (cones and shakes). There's a small marina with taxi service across two lakes to the Desolation Valley Wilderness trailhead as well as lake tours by boat. Absolutely gorgeous high-Sierra mountain lakes. Parking is limited. Typically open Memorial Day through Labor Day.

Caught the boat taxi across both lower and upper echo Lake. I think we paid $22 each when going out to the trail. You pay before you get on the boat. When coming back from the trail there's a booth to the right of the dock. You call the taxi. They ask you if you have the minimum number required to send the boat which is either three or four people. And then you pay when you get back to the dock at the chalet

This is your kicking off place to fish for Lahontan Cutthroat trout. Use a float tube or kayak. The Echo Chalet will have to inspect your boat before you can launch to protect the super clean waters from pests that attach to watercraft. I caught some beautiful Lahontan Cutthroat trout here while fly fishing! They tend to hang out about 50 feet out from shore. Very beautiful lake.

I was lucky to get a couple chaletlees during the short season that Echo Chalet is open and loved every minute. We had 2 rooms that shared a deck. Each room had a queen bed and a kitchen with a counter, fridge and some shelves. Also a private bath with a shower. The rooms were spotless and well stocked with everything you need to cook. Stovetops (no ovens) and dishes and cookware. Beds are comfortable. Sitting on the deck is great and hiking is fantastic. Every staff person I encountered was friendly and helpful. Kathleen was a wonderful host and all the “kids” who work here were friendly and seemed more interested in the guests and being in nature than in their phones, which was awesome. a real gem.

To be clear, the chalet only seems to be an access point to the beautiful trail. The water taxi and camp store staff are very friendly. Ride a water taxi to the far end of the lake and walk back or reverse it, or hike both ways, about 6 miles RT. We arrived by 9:30 and got the last parking spot. But people come and go so you should be able to find a spot.

Amazing boat taxi rides for hikers or if you just want have picnic and take a ride both ways. Beautiful views of lakes, mountains, trees, and granite cliffs. Trail is just challenging enough that the whole family can do it. Then treat yourself to Ice cream at the Chalet as our family has been doing for four generations!

A great little store for fresh snacks, local beer, and Echo Lakes themed hats and sweatshirts, etc. My traditional last bit of civilization before heading backpacking in Desolation Wilderness! Super friendly staff as well.