01
Classic lakeside route
Echo Lakes Trail
Echo Lakes Corridor Off Highway 50 • Alpine Lake Shoreline Hike With Optional Boat Shuttle • Iconic Gateway Into Desolation Wilderness
A granite-lined path tracing the edge of Echo Lakes, with big views and easy access to deeper backcountry.
Start from the Echo Chalet area and follow the rocky singletrack along the north shore, with constant water views and scattered cabins clinging to the shoreline. You can hike out-and-back as far as you like, or ride the seasonal water taxi one way to mix up the day and reach the Desolation Wilderness boundary more quickly. Expect exposed sections, classic Sierra granite, and a very high reward-to-effort ratio.
02
Closest to town
Hawley Grade National Recreation Trail
Hills Just South Of Meyers Off Highway 50 • Historic Forest Climb On An Old Wagon Route • Best Quick Hike With Local History And Canyon Views
A shady, switchbacking trail that follows a 19th‑century wagon grade up to sweeping views above the South Fork American River canyon.
This trail starts near Meyers and almost instantly feels quieter than the nearby highway, winding through firs and pines along a remarkably well-defined old roadbed. Interpretive signs and stonework hint at the days when emigrant wagons tackled this steep grade over the Sierra. It’s a solid workout without being an all-day commitment, and a great way to squeeze in a meaningful hike before or after other plans.
03
Meadow-and-lake favorite
Big Meadow to Round Lake
Highway 89 Summit Toward Luther Pass • Tahoe Rim Trail Segment Linking Broad Meadow And Forested Lake • Top Choice For Wildflowers And Moderate Mileage
A rolling route that climbs into Big Meadow, then dips through classic Sierra forest to the quiet shores of Round Lake.
From the busy trailhead off Highway 89, a short, steep climb delivers you into Big Meadow, which lives up to its name with wide-open views and, in season, a carpet of wildflowers. Continue on the Tahoe Rim Trail as it contours through mixed forest and granite outcrops before reaching Round Lake, a peaceful spot ringed by rock slabs perfect for lunch. The mix of meadow, shade, and a swim-friendly lake makes this a versatile day hike for most reasonably fit hikers.
04
High-country escape
Echo Summit to Showers Lake
Echo Summit High Country Above Meyers • High-Elevation Ridge Walk To A Tucked-Away Alpine Lake • Scenic Full-Day Outing For Strong Hikers
A Tahoe Rim Trail section that strings together big views, polished granite, and a serene lake basin far from road noise.
Starting near Echo Summit, this route follows the Tahoe Rim Trail across open ridges and through wind-shaped pines, with repeated glimpses back toward Lake Tahoe and into the American River drainage. The trail undulates over granite slabs and sandy tread before dropping into the basin that cradles Showers Lake, a surprisingly quiet destination given its access. It’s longer and more committing than the typical tourist hike, rewarding prepared hikers with space, scenery, and a real backcountry feel just above Meyers.
05
Big summit objective
Freel Peak via Armstrong Pass
Backcountry Above Fountain Place Road • Steep Summit Route To The Tahoe Basin’S High Point • Premier Challenge For Peak-Baggers Near Meyers
A demanding climb that links forested trails with a loose final slope to the 10,881‑foot summit of Freel Peak.
Accessed from the network above Fountain Place Road, this route uses a mix of singletrack and the Tahoe Rim Trail to reach Armstrong Pass before tackling the exposed upper slopes of Freel. The final push is sandy and slow, but the payoff from the summit—the full sweep of Lake Tahoe, Carson Valley, and the surrounding Sierra—is hard to beat. Plan for an early start, thin air, and quickly changing weather; this is the kind of day that earns its bragging rights with every step.