Scramble to Lake Aloha Lookout

Although Lake Aloha is in area of tourism, the way to get to this lookout invloves much more than just driving. And when some of my friends and I started planning this backpacking trip, we did not have climbing this peak in mind. We actually had no idea it existed... We began the trip at Echo Lake, which is in North Eldorado County (off of the El Dorado Freeway), where we found a large lake full of boats and fun, adventurous people. For the first part of the backpacking trip, we followed the Pacific Crest Trail all the way to Lake of the Woods. The following day we made our way to lake Aloha where we would spend our second night, however, that is a different adventure for a different time. (that is basically how to get to the lake).

Even though the location of the unnamed peak is considered to be at Lake Aloha, our group climbed it from the opposite side (we were camped at Lake of the Woods). From the camp, the trees give way to rock very quickly, aswell as all signs of a trail. Sooner and sooner the way to the top begins to become vertical. There is even a section where a rope was left by some people to help others reach the summit. After a few falls, complaints, water breaks, and a few hundred feet vertically later, we made it to the top.

The top of the "hill" is clear of vegitation, with the exception of small shrubs a lichen. There are also man-made rock formations that effectively block the high wind and even small ponds. The climb, although brutal and involving bouldering skills, was ultimately worth it.