Echo Ridge and Echo Peaks Hike

The Echo Ridge and Echo Peaks Hike is an epic excursion that demands some stamina, but it is manageable by adventurers of most skill levels. Make your ascent through lush woodlands up to Echo Ridge and the Peaks, which deliver 360-degree panoramic views of the granite mountain range and the shimmering alpine lakes that sit below—be sure to charge your camera! Note: you will be traveling deep into the wilderness, so keep an eye out for wildlife and consider a bear bell to deter unwelcome encounters. Additionally, pack plenty of water and wear sturdy footwear as the terrain is rocky and uneven. Note the National Park charges an entrance fee, refer to the NPS website for the price list.

Embark on your adventure along the Echo Ridge and Echo Peaks Hike from the John Muir Trailhead off Tioga Pass Road. From here, hike southwest to an intersection, veer left, and you will be diverted onto the Cathedral Peak: Climber’s Approach Trail. Wander this path along the gurgling waters of Budd Creek through the mixed pine forests. At the next junction, keep left again, then take a right onto an unmarked, more primitive trail. Keeping an eye on your GPS, hike south up Echo Ridge before diverting east up to Echo Pass and Echo Peaks.

Take your time exploring Echo Peaks and make sure to revel in the granite landscape that surrounds you. Admire the up close and personal view of Cathedral Peak, then track the middle unmarked path back beneath the treeline. Again using the GPS, you will soon reconnect with the Cathedral Peak: Climber’s Approach Trail. From here, retrace your footing along the routes all the way back to the trailhead, marking the end of your adventure.