Echo Lake History

Who We Are

Echo Lakes: A Brief History

Native Americans inhabited North America by the end of the last Ice Age, and until the late 1920’s, Washoe Indians hunted and fished Echo Lakes. When European settlers arrived, they established a major trade route (Johnson Pass) near the lakes, and for many years the Echo basin was used for fur trapping, market fishing and hay farming.

Originally, a stream connected the two lakes, but a dam built by a gravel mining company raised the lake level and diverted the outfall from its natural drainage (into Tahoe) via a flume to mining operations on the American River. The higher lake level flooded the stream between the two lakes, creating the present navigable channel.

The mining company provided employment for such people as Ham Cagwin, known as “The Echo Hermit” but actually a friendly man, who in 1887 became caretaker of the dam and conducted a boating and fishing business.

Berkeley Family Camp, which is still operating, opened on the Echo Road in 1923. The Kleeberger Camp on the Upper Lake, was later operated as the Harvey West Boy Scout Camp. Both introduced many visitors to the Echo basin. In 1939, accomodations for visitors were greatly increased when the Rocca family built the present Chalet. The present owners are Tom and Kathleen Fashinell. 

About the cabins

The first cabin was built in 1872 by fur trappers. In 1907 the first Forest Service summer home lease was issued, and in the 1920’s Forest Service policy encouraged the public to apply for summer home leases. Today there are approximately 121 cabins on National Forest land and 17 on private lots along the north shore of the Lower Lake. All retain a rustic flavor. The only access to the summer cabins is by boat or trail and there are no phones, power or sewer lines. Effluent is carried out by boat to the Chalet and trucked to treatment plants, and grey water is drained into Forest Service approved areas well away from the lakes. Drinking water for the cabins is drawn from springs or pumped from the lake. Propane and low voltage solar panels are commonly used to power lights, refrigerators and stoves.

Excerpted from “Welcome To Echo Lake”, a booklet published by ELA. Map illustration © 2004 Warren Lloyd Dayton (warrendayton.com), used by permission.