Echo Lake Snowshoe Hike
	Trip Date:  01/26/2017 Distance: 3.5 Miles Vertical Gain: 1600' Group Size: 3 Hike Rating:  Easy   Moderate    Hard    Strenuous	See video of hike   GPX for this trip
	Start Coordinates:   N 38 49.403, W 120 02.047     End Coordinates:   Same as Start Coordinates Car Shuttle Req'd:   No Parking Directions:   Take Highway 50 to the turnoff (Lincoln Highway) toward Echo Lakes.  Turn right into the snow park parking area at the coordinates listed.  Be sure to have a winter snow park parking permit for your vehicle to avoid a hefty fine during the winter. Hazards of Note:   Deep snow can cause unfamiliarity even if you know the area from snow-free times. Crowd Factor:   Moderate.  This entire area, including Echo Lakes and Becker Peak are popular snowshoe destinations. General Notes: From the parking area cross the road which you came in on and head toward Echo Lake.  For the three quarters of a mile you will be on the road into the lake, which is easy to follow from other snow shoe adventurers and cross country skiiers.  When you reach the upper parking lot for the lake head down toward the Echo Lake Chalet, and then cross the metal bridge over the spillway from the lake.  Head on up the trail and then continue up the ridgeline as far as you wish to explore.  There are great views toward Lake Tahoe to the east and Echo Lake and beyond to the west and northwest.
	Heading up to the sno-park area off Highway 50 just west of Echo Summit.
	Making use of one of the spaces Cal Trans makes avaiable at the sno-park areas that are available for anyone with a Winter sno-park pass.
	The restroom facility at the sno-park which is not open during the winter, especially with 5-6 feet of snow on it.
	Tons of snow on the trees just a day or two after a strong winter snowstorm.
	Mark making his way up the trail as we enjoyed the impressive amount of snow on the ground.
	Checking out the view down one of the side roads on the way to the lake.  Lake Tahoe in the background is a stellar blue on a clear day.
	On the way we passed by some cabins which were almost completely buried in snow by the recent storms.
	Our first clear view of a completely frozen over Echo Lake.  In the distance to the far left you can just make out the tip of Pyramid Peak.
	Mark heading up the makeshift trail on the eastern side of the lake.
	An even better view toward Lake Tahoe from the top of the ridge.  Flagpole peak is about a quarter mile to the north of where we topped out before heading back down.
	Looking back up at the trail we blazed up to the east side peak.
	GPS track of the hike.