Horsetail Falls
Avalanche Lake
Pitt Lake
Ropi Lake
Lake of the Woods
Echo Lakes

Although this hike involves a bit of planning - car ferry from Echo Lakes back to Twin Bridges - it is a great one to do! The trail from Twin Bridges on Highway 50 to Horsetail Falls on Pyramid Creek (more like a river in the spring) only goes to the bottom of the falls. After that, there is either no trail, or too many to indicate a preferred one. The challenge this presented enticed 10 of the Monday Hikers to show up to tackle it.

The flat line at the end of the elevation profile reflects the boat (water-taxi) ride from the west end of Upper Echo Lake back to the waiting cars.

The trail from the parking lot at Twin Bridges is easy as it winds it's way through the conifers and manzanita along Pyramid Creek.

Whoever named this waterway a 'creek' must have grown up on the banks of the Mississippi!

For a lot of day hikers, this is the reward for following the trail. The sound of the falling water is impressive, and provides quite a nice place to sit and relax - but not for us!

Now we get to find our own way up the side of the canyon to the top of the falls and beyond.

Leaving the manzanita behind, we tackle the first of the bare granite outcrops. Since footprints don't leave much of a mark on rock, there is no established path to follow, so.... At each stage, the question is "Can we get past this part by going that way?"

Sometimes, a scout has to try a particular route with the abilities of each member of the group in mind. Some of the group may be able to follow a particular path, but we never leave anyone behind. So, sometimes it works, and sometimes the scout has to try again.

After getting quite a way up, we hit a patch of very slick rock that wasn't obvious from below and had to re-trace our steps and look for a better route.

We went around the bad section by hopping, climbing, scrambling, and generally stumbling up a field of broken and scattered granite blocks.

Finally reaching the top of the ridge, we stopped for a well deserved break and a round of self-congratulations.

The wide spot in the 'creek' above the precipice is called Avalanche Lake. A descriptive name for a body of water that wouldn't be given much notice if it weren't for for it's location.

The next wide spot is named Pitt Lake.

The flow out of Ropi Lake that defines Pyramid Creek passes through some narrow spots among the rocks which provides some very picturesque rapids.

Now, this is a lake! Ropi Lake lies at the southern end of Desolation Valley with Pyramid Peak and the beginning of the Crystal Range as a backdrop.

The question is, "How do we get across the 'creek'?" in order to get to Lake of the Woods.

After a bit of scouting, we found a log jam that, with a little coaxing and help, everyone managed to get across without getting wet.

After climbing over a ridge, we got to Lake of the Woods. Everyone took a break and relaxed to enjoy the scenery and replenish their water supply.

The last part of the hike was down the Pacific Crest Trail to Echo Lakes. It is not our favorite part, being constructed of broken granite cobbles (the footing is difficult, and you have to pay attention, or risk a twisted ankle).

Once we arrived at the west end of Upper Echo Lake, we caught the water taxi to take us back to our cars, saving us from another 2 1/2 miles of trail around the edge of Echo Lakes.