Topo and GPS tracks for today, 8.5 miles/2000ft gain clockwise around the loop from the Echo Lakes public parking lot.

This was my 2nd summit of Echo and my first attempt at Flagpole.

Looking out from the spillway bridge at the end of Echo Lake after walking down to the lake from the surprisingly full public lot.

Filled out my Deso self-permit and hit the trail for a noonish start.

Spillway bridge. There's a TRT trailhead sign in the woods on the back left. This section of trail is part of the segment shared by both the PCT and TRT.

Becker Peak (left) and Talking Mountain (right) on the south shore of Echo Lake. I had done the Becker/Talking/Ralston traverse last season.

The trail paralleled the north shore of lower Echo Lake and passed beneath Flagpole peak on its way west. The flagpole is barely visible in the full size shot but was more distinctive in person.

Looking back at Flagpole Peak and lower Echo Lake from further up the trail.

A first glimpse of Ralston peak to the SW. This was a near record snow year and there was still a substantial amount of snow in Desolation.

Snowmelt stream running down the course of the trail tread.

The turnoff for Triangle Lake just past the Desolation Wilderness boundary. This was where I was getting off.