Sunset at Lake Aloha

In my life I have had the pleasure to experience many a sunset, as I’m sure many of you have, but here at Lake Aloha, I have had the pleasure to have 2 of my top 5 sunsets.

(The other sunsets rounding out my top 5 have been when I have proposed to my wife in Wisconsin, the top of Kilimanjaro and on safari in South Africa. So this is the level I am comparing this to!)

To photograph the sunset it is best to camp at Lake Aloha. Start at the Echo Lake TH.

To start, take the boat ride ($14/person) across Upper and Lower Echo Lake, or hike the  ~2 mile adjacent trail along the lakes. From the dock it is about a 4-mile gradual uphill hike until you reach Lake Aloha. Be sure to bring a topo map because once you reach to forest upon the uphill the trail splits in many directions!

For the best sunset pictures it’s best to arrive early to scout the area out. I recommend continuing about a ½ extra hiking along the lake until you reach the granite rock outcroppings.

Also, depending on the previous winter’s snowfall, the water level of the lake may differ, so be sure to check out all the intriguing rock formations for the best vantage points.

The rocks also provide some of the best cliff jumping and and swimming, that is if the water’s not too cold!