Hike to Jabu Lake in Desolation Wilderness

Although this hike can be done as a day hike, there are incredible camping spots near the lake. The easiest way to start this hike is to start at the Echo Lakes. There is ample parking above the marina and you even have the option of taking a water taxi across the echo lakes to cut off around 2.5 miles of the hike. The taxi costs $12 round trip.

If you are doing this as an overnight as opposed to a day hike, make sure you have an overnight wilderness permit. You can get these at the ranger stations and visitor centers in the Tahoe Basin or buy them online at this address. Recreation.gov

This hike starts by steadily climbing the PCT towards Lake Aloha. If you don't take the Echo Lakes Taxi, you will see many interesting lake houses on the shores of Lower and Upper Echo Lake. Once you enter Desolation, you will encounter trails turning off to Tamarack Lake, Lake Lucile, and Lake of the Woods. If you want to extend your trip, these are fantastic places to camp and are extremely accessible. Continue on the PCT for a little less than five miles until you reach a fork where the sign indicates that both routes go to Lake Aloha. Take the right fork and walk on this fork for about 300 yards. Right after you take the fork look north and slightly east (or just to the right of the trail). You will be able to see a large rocky mountain like feature that is roughly 0.2 miles away. Once you locate this feature, leave the trail and walk through the forest and meadow towards the mountain. The lake is at the top of this feature in a large depression and lies 400 feet of elevation above the PCT.

This is a very interesting lake in that it is not fed by any streams and is perched on the top of a mountain. If you stand at the south western part of the lake and look northeast, the water almost looks like it connects to the sky. There are two large flat rock slabs that are great places to set up a tent.

This hike is not recommended if you do not have a topographical map of the area or have experience with off trail hiking and route finding.

After visiting the lake, retrace your steps to get back on to the PCT.