DAY 86: ECHO LAKE

This is all of the trash/recycling we had at the end of our many day stay (along with some backpacks on the left)

 miles: 7ish

Today was the day - get back out on trail as the Wolf Pack again, hopefully getting as far as Aloha Lake tonight.

Cleaning up always takes longer than you expect.  It took us most of the morning to clean up the cabin, rid it of trash, pack our things, do the dishes, and organize ourselves for the departure.

The cabin.

Had to shuttle around and find the appropriate recycling receptacles for all of our various paper/plastic/glass/can recycling needs. We had to find garbage dumpsters in a covert fashion as well... it was quite the endeavor.

Pile in!

Oh I forgot to mention that last night Manchurian decided to join us back at the cabin. We played Taboo, ate all of our foods, and stayed up way too late.

It really started to smell like trash

hiker trash mingling waiting for a ride to the trail head.

Around 4pm we all made it up to Echo Lake Chalet, where the trail resumes and enters the Desolation Wilderness. Chik-Chak, Rocky and I hiked a portion of the Desolation Wilderness trail last summer and LOVED every mile of it. We were excited to hike it all over again, except this time we were heading north (last summer we southbounded).

Got my obligatory milkshake at the Echo Lake Chalet (chocolate of course - I only ever get chocolate) and it was DELICIOUS. One of the best shakes so far!

Echo Lake Chalet...

Gearing up for a painful start to hiking again, after a week long break. Rocky and I would be trying out our freshly rested legs very very soon...

Chik Chak, Smiles, Dr. Slosh, Starfox, and Rocky drinking some Fat Tire before heading off from Echo Lake.

Desolation Wilderness is a special place.

Gross, I know, but it was all they had AND at the end of a long day it is nice to have 1 beer.

We got to camp early, only making it 6 or 7 miles that night in favor of a fantastic camp spot, a place with a view. And WHAT. A. VIEW.

All of us had packed out a few celebratory beers that we drank with joy that night on the lake.

Sunset with our 1 beers.

our home.

our seating situation.