Flagpole and Echo Peaks

Flagpole Peak and Echo Peak

My friend and I started at the Parking Lot just above Echo
Chalet.  We headed up to the ridge about
0.5 miles from the beginning of the trail right after the spillway of the
lake.  After heading up to the ridge the going
gets harder.  We stayed to the left (Echo
Lakes) side of the ridge during the climb. 
I was surprised at how difficult some of the moves were.  This is a fun class 3 route and will require
you to climb your way up and down big rock slabs, some with a decent amount of
exposure.  This scrambling section will
take at least an hour before you make your way up to the obvious peak.  The peak is a very cool flagpole, decorated
with Tibetan flags and random hiker’s clothing.

The option of going back down the same way we came sounded
quite challenging and we were hoping to bag Echo Peak before it got dark.  After a bit of scrambling off of Flagpole
Peak heading northwest towards Echo Peak the way does get easier.  You come into a high basin with amazing views
of Fallen Leaf and Tahoe on your gentle walk up the last 0.5 mile to Echo
Peak.  From Echo Peaks we headed farther
west (away from the original trailhead) to meet up with the North-South running
Triangle Lake Trail.  When you run into
this trail go left and head down towards Upper Echo Lake.  You will then run into the Tahoe Rim Trail
and hike the 3 miles back to Echo Chalet. 
We started at 2:30 p.m. and finished in the dark at 8:00 p.m.