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Coordinates: 38°48′47″N 120°01′48″W / 38.813°N 120.030°W / 38.813; -120.030
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{{Short description|Mountain pass}}
{{For|the Echo Summit at Johnson Pass in Utah & the Echo Canyon summit in Utah|List of mountain ranges of Utah{{!}}Onequi Mountains|Wahsatch, Utah}}
{{For|the Echo Summit at Johnson Pass in Utah & the Echo Canyon summit in Utah|List of mountain ranges of Utah{{!}}Onequi Mountains|Wahsatch, Utah}}
{{Infobox mountain pass
{{Infobox mountain pass
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| elevation_ref =
| elevation_ref =
| traversed = {{Jct|state=CA|US|50}}
| traversed = {{Jct|state=CA|US|50}}
| location = [[El Dorado County, California|Eldorado County]],<br>[[California]], [[United States|U.S.]]
| location = [[El Dorado County, California|El Dorado County]],<br>[[California]], [[United States|U.S.]]
| range = [[Sierra Nevada (U.S.)|Sierra Nevada]]
| range = [[Sierra Nevada (U.S.)|Sierra Nevada]]
| coordinates = {{coord|38.813|N|120.030|W|display=inline,title}} <!--N 38.81 W 120.03-->
| coordinates = {{coord|38.813|N|120.030|W|display=inline,title}} <!--N 38.81 W 120.03-->
| topo =
| topo =
{{Designation list|embed=yes|designation1=California|designation1_number=1048}}
}}
}}


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'''Echo Summit''' is a [[mountain pass]] over the [[Sierra Nevada (U.S.)|Sierra Nevada]] in the [[Western United States|western]] [[United States]], located in eastern [[El Dorado County, California]]. At {{convert|7377|ft||abbr=on}} above [[sea level]], it is the highest point on [[U.S. Route 50 in California|U.S. Route 50]] in California, which traverses it at [[California postmile|postmile]] 66.48 between [[Twin Bridges, California|Twin Bridges]] and [[Meyers, California|Meyers]], south of [[Lake Tahoe]].
'''Echo Summit''' is a [[mountain pass]] over the [[Sierra Nevada (U.S.)|Sierra Nevada]] in the [[Western United States|western]] [[United States]], located in eastern [[El Dorado County, California]]. At {{convert|7377|ft||abbr=on}} above [[sea level]], it is the highest point on [[U.S. Route 50 in California|U.S. Route 50]] in California, which traverses it at [[California postmile|postmile]] 66.48 between [[Twin Bridges, California|Twin Bridges]] and [[Meyers, California|Meyers]], south of [[Lake Tahoe]].


The "Sierra Nevada Southern Route" (aka the "Pioneer Route") of the [[Lincoln Highway]], the first road across the [[United States]], was routed over nearby [[Johnson Pass, California|Johnson Pass]]{{cn|date=July 2018}} in 1913. The current alignment over Echo Summit was constructed between 1936 and 1939<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cahighways.org/049-056.html#050|title=California Highways (www.cahighways.org): Routes 49 through 56|website=www.cahighways.org|access-date=2018-05-15}}</ref>.
The "Sierra Nevada Southern Route" (aka the "Pioneer Route") of the [[Lincoln Highway]], the first road across the [[United States]], was routed over nearby [[Johnson Pass, California|Johnson Pass]]{{citation needed|date=July 2018}} in 1913. The current alignment over Echo Summit was constructed between 1936 and 1939.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cahighways.org/049-056.html#050|title=California Highways (www.cahighways.org): Routes 49 through 56|website=www.cahighways.org|access-date=2018-05-15}}</ref>


The "Sierra Nevada Northern Route" of the Lincoln Highway went over [[Donner Pass]].
The "Sierra Nevada Northern Route" of the Lincoln Highway went over [[Donner Pass]].


Echo Summit is a trailhead for the Pacific Coast National Scenic Trail.<ref name="1968 Olympians Return to Echo Summit, USA Track & Field, June 27, 2014">[http://www.usatf.org/News/1968-Olympians-Return-to-Echo-Summit.aspx 1968 Olympians Return to Echo Summit], USA Track & Field, Bob Burns, June 27, 2014.</ref>
Echo Summit is a trailhead for the [[Pacific Crest Trail|Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail]].<ref name="1968 Olympians Return to Echo Summit, USA Track & Field, June 27, 2014">[http://www.legacy.usatf.org/News/1968-Olympians-Return-to-Echo-Summit.aspx 1968 Olympians Return to Echo Summit], USA Track & Field, Bob Burns, June 27, 2014.</ref>


== Climate ==
==1968 U.S. Olympic Trials==
{{Weather box
Echo Summit is notable for being the location of the high altitude [[United States Olympic Trials (track and field)|U.S. Olympic Trials]] and Training Camp in the summer of 1968,<ref name=usbegin>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=VrdWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=YukDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6189%2C208035 |newspaper=Spokesman-Review |location=Spokane, Washington|title=U.S. begins first work at altitude |agency=Associated Press |date=July 16, 1968 |page=13 }}</ref><ref name=olcpb>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=rztWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=dekDAAAAIBAJ&pg=7207%2C298421 |newspaper=Spokesman-Review |location=Spokane, Washington |title=Olympic camp's press 'ban' unpopular |last=Payne |first=Bob |date=August 16, 1968 |page=18 }}</ref><ref name=vshrec>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=GK1VAAAAIBAJ&sjid=BOEDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4865%2C2581960 |newspaper=Eugene-Register Guard |location=Oregon |title=Vanderstock shatters record; Ryun 7th |agency=Associated Press |date=September 12, 1968 |page=1B}}</ref> with the picturesque location being on the cover of the July 1968 issue of ''[[Track and Field News]].''<ref>https://www.trackandfieldnews.com/index.php/archivemenu/28-covers/137-past-covers-1967</ref> The camp opened in July and the men's track and field trials were held September 6–16, a month before the high altitude [[1968 Summer Olympics]] in [[Mexico City]].<ref name=tatrgd>{{cite news |url=https://www.si.com/vault/1968/09/23/617519/triumph-and-tragedy-at-tahoe |magazine=Sports Illustrated |last=Underwood |first=John |title=Triumph at tragedy at Tahoe |date=September 23, 1968 |page=18}}</ref><ref name=ctrib>{{cite news |url=http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2000-07-03/sports/0007030182_1_dick-fosbury-magic-mountain-high-jump-competition |newspaper=Chicago Tribune |last=Burns |first=Bob |title=Magic Mountain |date=July 3, 2000 |accessdate=October 11, 2014}}</ref> The elevation of the track was {{convert|7377|ft}} above sea level, a mere {{convert|28|ft}} higher than the venue in Mexico City.<ref name=olcpb/>
|location = Echo Summit, California, 1981-2010 temperature and precipitation normals, snowfall and extremes 1944–1994
|single line = Y
| width = auto
|collapsed = Yes


|Jan record high F = 61
[[1968 in athletics|Four world records]] were achieved during the trials on one of the first [[Tartan track]]s, constructed in the middle of the forest solely for this event.
|Feb record high F = 62
|Mar record high F = 67
|Apr record high F = 71
|May record high F = 81
|Jun record high F = 92
|Jul record high F = 94
|Aug record high F = 93
|Sep record high F = 89
|Oct record high F = 80
|Nov record high F = 67
|Dec record high F = 60
|year record high F = 92


|Jan avg record high F = 53.2
With a [[motel]] tax and financial support from [[Harrah's Lake Tahoe|Harrah's Tahoe casino]], a synthetic track was purchased and installed which was very similar to that to be used in Mexico City.<ref name="1968 Olympians Return to Echo Summit, USA Track & Field, June 27, 2014"/> Installed southwest of the summit in the parking lot of a small ski area, hundreds of [[Pinus ponderosa|Ponderosa pine]] trees remained in the infield, densest on the north end. The high jump pit was also surrounded by huge boulders.<ref name="1968 Olympians Return to Echo Summit, USA Track & Field, June 27, 2014"/> The track installation was completed in early July and was designed to be easily dismantled and reinstalled, being moved the following summer to nearby [[South Tahoe Middle School]] where it survived until 2006.
|Feb avg record high F = 54.6
|Mar avg record high F = 57.6
|Apr avg record high F = 66.9
|May avg record high F = 73.6
|Jun avg record high F = 79.7
|Jul avg record high F = 86.4
|Aug avg record high F = 86.5
|Sep avg record high F = 80.4
|Oct avg record high F = 71.4
|Nov avg record high F = 62.1
|Dec avg record high F = 54.9
|year avg record high F = 90.8


|Jan high F = 38.9
The location became a [[California Historical Landmark]] in 2014 with a roadside sign along Highway 50. At the time, this was only the 5th sports-related historical site in California.<ref name=calhistlk>{{cite web |url=http://ohp.parks.ca.gov/pages/1067/files/site%20of%20echo%20summit%20chl%20draft.pdf |publisher=State of California |agency=Department of Parks and Recreation, Office of Historic Preservation: Application for Registration, California Historical Landmark |title=Echo Summit |date=December 20, 2012 |accessdate=October 11, 2014}}</ref><ref name=usatpac>{{cite web |url=http://www.pausatf.org/data/2013/tfechosummit.html |publisher=Pacific Association |agency=division of USA Track and Field |last=Burns |first=Bob |title=Echo Summit |accessdate=October 11, 2014}}</ref><ref name=ltnews >{{cite news |url=http://www.laketahoenews.net/2014/06/1968-u-s-olympic-track-team-echo-summit-training-site-continue-to-make-history/ |newspaper=Lake Tahoe News |last=Reed |first=Kathryn |title=1968 U.S. Olympic track team, Echo Summit training site continue to make history |date=June 28, 2014 |accessdate=October 11, 2014 }}</ref><ref name="1968 Olympians Return to Echo Summit, USA Track & Field, June 27, 2014"/>
|Feb high F = 39.3
|Mar high F = 40.9
|Apr high F = 47.8
|May high F = 54.9
|Jun high F = 64.1
|Jul high F = 72.8
|Aug high F = 72.7
|Sep high F = 66.0
|Oct high F = 55.6
|Nov high F = 42.0
|Dec high F = 37.9
|year high F =


|Jan mean F = 29.9
The ski area, known as Nebelhorn and later Echo Summit, closed in 1988. It is now Adventure Mountain, a snow play area for sledding and tubing.<ref name=osltop>{{cite news |url=http://www.laketahoenews.net/2012/03/old-ski-lodge-set-to-open-on-top-of-echo-summit/ |newspaper=Lake Tahoe News |last=Reed |first=Kathryn |title=Old ski lodge set to open on top of Echo Summit |date=March 3, 2014 |accessdate=October 11, 2014 }}</ref><ref name=tansresch>{{cite news |url=http://www.laketahoenews.net/2014/06/then-and-now-echo-summit-ski-resort-changes/ |newspaper=Lake Tahoe News |last=Kingman |first=Bill |title=Then and now: Echo Summit ski resort changes |date=June 1, 2014 |accessdate=October 11, 2014 }}</ref>
|Feb mean F = 30.4
|Mar mean F = 31.8
|Apr mean F = 37.3
|May mean F = 43.9
|Jun mean F = 52.9
|Jul mean F = 60.3
|Aug mean F = 60.5
|Sep mean F = 54.5
|Oct mean F = 45.6
|Nov mean F = 34.0
|Dec mean F = 29.8
|year mean F =

|Jan low F = 21.3
|Feb low F = 22.0
|Mar low F = 23.8
|Apr low F = 27.4
|May low F = 33.3
|Jun low F = 41.6
|Jul low F = 47.8
|Aug low F = 48.3
|Sep low F = 43.0
|Oct low F = 35.6
|Nov low F = 26.0
|Dec low F = 21.7
|year low F =

|Jan avg record low F = 2.6
|Feb avg record low F = 3.4
|Mar avg record low F = 3.7
|Apr avg record low F = 10.8
|May avg record low F = 19.7
|Jun avg record low F = 28.8
|Jul avg record low F = 37.2
|Aug avg record low F = 36.3
|Sep avg record low F = 30.2
|Oct avg record low F = 19.8
|Nov avg record low F = 12.2
|Dec avg record low F = 2.3
|year avg record low F = 1.0

|Jan record low F = -26
|Feb record low F = -24
|Mar record low F = -18
|Apr record low F = -14
|May record low F = -2
|Jun record low F = 9
|Jul record low F = 24
|Aug record low F = 25
|Sep record low F = 13
|Oct record low F = 2
|Nov record low F = -10
|Dec record low F = -23
|year record low F = -26

|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation inch = 6.36
|Feb precipitation inch = 8.54
|Mar precipitation inch = 7.59
|Apr precipitation inch = 3.71
|May precipitation inch = 2.09
|Jun precipitation inch = 1.61
|Jul precipitation inch = 0.81
|Aug precipitation inch = 0.93
|Sep precipitation inch = 2.02
|Oct precipitation inch = 3.61
|Nov precipitation inch = 7.23
|Dec precipitation inch = 7.11
|year precipitation inch =

|Jan snow inch = 67.1
|Feb snow inch = 74.0
|Mar snow inch = 83.2
|Apr snow inch = 31.3
|May snow inch = 9.9
|Jun snow inch = 2.3
|Jul snow inch = 0.0
|Aug snow inch = 0.0
|Sep snow inch = 2.9
|Oct snow inch = 12.6
|Nov snow inch = 48.6
|Dec snow inch = 60.6
|year snow inch =

|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
|Jan precipitation days = 11
|Feb precipitation days = 11
|Mar precipitation days = 14
|Apr precipitation days = 9
|May precipitation days = 9
|Jun precipitation days = 5
|Jul precipitation days = 3
|Aug precipitation days = 3
|Sep precipitation days = 4
|Oct precipitation days = 7
|Nov precipitation days = 11
|Dec precipitation days = 10
|year precipitation days =
|source 1 = WRCC<ref>
{{cite web
|url= https://wrcc.dri.edu/cgi-bin/cliMAIN.pl?ca4713
|title= Lake Spaulding, California (044713)
|access-date=November 29, 2015
|publisher=Western Regional Climate Center
}}</ref>
}}

==1968 U.S. Olympic Trials==
Echo Summit is notable for being the location (sometimes listed as "[[South Lake Tahoe]]") of the [[1968 United States Olympic Trials (track and field)|1968 U.S. Olympic track and field trials]] for men, held September 6–16, a month before the [[Athletics at the 1968 Summer Olympics|1968 Olympics]] in [[Mexico City]].<ref name=tatrgd>{{cite news |url=https://www.si.com/vault/1968/09/23/617519/triumph-and-tragedy-at-tahoe |magazine=Sports Illustrated |last=Underwood |first=John |title=Triumph at tragedy at Tahoe |date=September 23, 1968 |page=18}}</ref><ref name=ctrib>{{cite news |url=http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2000-07-03/sports/0007030182_1_dick-fosbury-magic-mountain-high-jump-competition |newspaper=Chicago Tribune |last=Burns |first=Bob |title=Magic Mountain |date=July 3, 2000 |access-date=October 11, 2014}}</ref><ref name=usbegin>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=VrdWAAAAIBAJ&pg=6189%2C208035 |newspaper=Spokesman-Review |location=Spokane, Washington|title=U.S. begins first work at altitude |agency=Associated Press |date=July 16, 1968 |page=13 }}</ref><ref name=olcpb>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=rztWAAAAIBAJ&pg=7207%2C298421 |newspaper=Spokesman-Review |location=Spokane, Washington |title=Olympic camp's press 'ban' unpopular |last=Payne |first=Bob |date=August 16, 1968 |page=18 }}</ref><ref name=vshrec>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=GK1VAAAAIBAJ&pg=4865%2C2581960 |newspaper=Eugene-Register Guard |location=Oregon |title=Vanderstock shatters record; Ryun 7th |agency=Associated Press |date=September 12, 1968 |page=1B}}</ref> (The women's trials were at low altitude in [[Los Angeles County, California|Los Angeles County]], at [[Walnut, California|Walnut]].)<ref>{{citation |url=http://www.legacy.usatf.org/usatf/files/69/695a8112-b7a0-4b9d-9dbb-8b4bca22677c.pdf#page=137 |first=Richard |last=Hymans |date=2008 |access-date=23 May 2021 |title=The History of the United States Olympic Trials |page=4 |publisher=[[USA Track & Field]] |archive-date=17 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190517231938/http://www.usatf.org/usatf/files/69/695a8112-b7a0-4b9d-9dbb-8b4bca22677c.pdf#page=137 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The Echo Summit site opened in July as a training camp for high-altitude acclimation, with an [[elevation]] similar to the [[Estadio Olímpico Universitario|Olympic Stadium]] in Mexico.<ref name=olcpb/> The picturesque alpine location was on the cover of the July 1968 issue of ''[[Track and Field News]].''<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.trackandfieldnews.com/index.php/archivemenu/28-covers/137-past-covers-1967 |title=Past Covers 1968 |access-date=2015-04-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304034405/https://www.trackandfieldnews.com/index.php/archivemenu/28-covers/137-past-covers-1967 |archive-date=2016-03-04 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The&nbsp;original men's trials were in Los Angeles in late June, but a second round of trials was added to the training camp.<ref>Hymans 2008 p.137</ref>

With a [[motel]] tax and financial support from [[Harrah's Lake Tahoe|Harrah's Tahoe casino]], a synthetic [[Tartan track]] was purchased which was very similar to that to be used in Mexico City.<ref name="1968 Olympians Return to Echo Summit, USA Track & Field, June 27, 2014"/> Installation was completed in early July and was designed to be easily dismantled and reinstalled, being moved the following summer to nearby [[South Tahoe Middle School]] where it survived until 2006. Installed southwest of the summit in the parking lot of a small ski area, hundreds of [[Pinus ponderosa|Ponderosa pine]] trees remained in the infield, densest on the north end. The [[high jump]] pit was also surrounded by huge boulders.<ref name="1968 Olympians Return to Echo Summit, USA Track & Field, June 27, 2014"/> [[1968 in athletics|Four world records]] were achieved at the trials.<ref>Hymans 2008 pp.9-10</ref>

The location became a [[California Historical Landmark]] in 2014 with a roadside sign along Highway 50. At&nbsp;the time, this was only the fifth sports-related historical site in California.<ref name=calhistlk>{{cite web |url=http://ohp.parks.ca.gov/pages/1067/files/site%20of%20echo%20summit%20chl%20draft.pdf |publisher=State of California |agency=Department of Parks and Recreation, Office of Historic Preservation: Application for Registration, California Historical Landmark |title=Echo Summit |date=December 20, 2012 |access-date=October 11, 2014}}</ref><ref name=usatpac>{{cite web |url=http://www.pausatf.org/data/2013/tfechosummit.html |publisher=Pacific Association |agency=division of USA Track and Field |last=Burns |first=Bob |title=Echo Summit |access-date=October 11, 2014}}</ref><ref name=ltnews >{{cite news |url=http://www.laketahoenews.net/2014/06/1968-u-s-olympic-track-team-echo-summit-training-site-continue-to-make-history/ |newspaper=Lake Tahoe News |last=Reed |first=Kathryn |title=1968 U.S. Olympic track team, Echo Summit training site continue to make history |date=June 28, 2014 |access-date=October 11, 2014 }}</ref><ref name="1968 Olympians Return to Echo Summit, USA Track & Field, June 27, 2014"/>

The ski area, known as Nebelhorn and later Echo Summit, closed twenty years later in&nbsp;1988. It&nbsp;is now Adventure Mountain, a snow play area for sledding and tubing.<ref name=osltop>{{cite news |url=http://www.laketahoenews.net/2012/03/old-ski-lodge-set-to-open-on-top-of-echo-summit/ |newspaper=Lake Tahoe News |last=Reed |first=Kathryn |title=Old ski lodge set to open on top of Echo Summit |date=March 3, 2014 |access-date=October 11, 2014 }}</ref><ref name=tansresch>{{cite news |url=http://www.laketahoenews.net/2014/06/then-and-now-echo-summit-ski-resort-changes/ |newspaper=Lake Tahoe News |last=Kingman |first=Bill |title=Then and now: Echo Summit ski resort changes |date=June 1, 2014 |access-date=October 11, 2014 }}</ref>


==References==
==References==
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* [http://www.discoverechosummit.com/winter/snow_play.html Echo Summit Snow Play]
* [http://www.discoverechosummit.com/winter/snow_play.html Echo Summit Snow Play]


[[Category:Mountain passes of the Sierra Nevada (U.S.)]]
{{Sierra Nevada}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Mountain passes of the Sierra Nevada (United States)]]
[[Category:Landforms of El Dorado County, California]]
[[Category:Landforms of El Dorado County, California]]
[[Category:California Historical Landmarks]]
[[Category:California Historical Landmarks]]
[[Category:U.S. Route 50]]
[[Category:U.S. Route 50]]


{{ElDoradoCountyCA-geo-stub}}

Revision as of 00:05, 14 July 2024

For the Echo Summit at Johnson Pass in Utah & the Echo Canyon summit in Utah, see Onequi Mountains and Wahsatch, Utah.
Echo Summit
View from Echo Summit towards Lake Tahoe.
Elevation7,382 ft (2,250 m)
Traversed by US 50
LocationEl Dorado County,
California, U.S.
RangeSierra Nevada
Coordinates38°48′47″N 120°01′48″W / 38.813°N 120.030°W / 38.813; -120.030
Topo map
Reference no.1048
 Echo Summit is located in California
 Echo Summit
 Echo Summit
class=notpageimage|
Location in California

Echo Summit is a mountain pass over the Sierra Nevada in the western United States, located in eastern El Dorado County, California. At 7,377 ft (2,249 m) above sea level, it is the highest point on U.S. Route 50 in California, which traverses it at postmile 66.48 between Twin Bridges and Meyers, south of Lake Tahoe.

The "Sierra Nevada Southern Route" (aka the "Pioneer Route") of the Lincoln Highway, the first road across the United States, was routed over nearby Johnson Pass[citation needed] in 1913. The current alignment over Echo Summit was constructed between 1936 and 1939.[1]

The "Sierra Nevada Northern Route" of the Lincoln Highway went over Donner Pass.

Echo Summit is a trailhead for the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail.[2]

Climate

Climate data for Echo Summit, California, 1981-2010 temperature and precipitation normals, snowfall and extremes 1944–1994
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 61
(16) 		62
(17) 		67
(19) 		71
(22) 		81
(27) 		92
(33) 		94
(34) 		93
(34) 		89
(32) 		80
(27) 		67
(19) 		60
(16) 		92
(33)
Mean maximum °F (°C) 53.2
(11.8) 		54.6
(12.6) 		57.6
(14.2) 		66.9
(19.4) 		73.6
(23.1) 		79.7
(26.5) 		86.4
(30.2) 		86.5
(30.3) 		80.4
(26.9) 		71.4
(21.9) 		62.1
(16.7) 		54.9
(12.7) 		90.8
(32.7)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) 38.9
(3.8) 		39.3
(4.1) 		40.9
(4.9) 		47.8
(8.8) 		54.9
(12.7) 		64.1
(17.8) 		72.8
(22.7) 		72.7
(22.6) 		66.0
(18.9) 		55.6
(13.1) 		42.0
(5.6) 		37.9
(3.3) 		52.7
(11.5)
Daily mean °F (°C) 29.9
(−1.2) 		30.4
(−0.9) 		31.8
(−0.1) 		37.3
(2.9) 		43.9
(6.6) 		52.9
(11.6) 		60.3
(15.7) 		60.5
(15.8) 		54.5
(12.5) 		45.6
(7.6) 		34.0
(1.1) 		29.8
(−1.2) 		42.6
(5.9)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) 21.3
(−5.9) 		22.0
(−5.6) 		23.8
(−4.6) 		27.4
(−2.6) 		33.3
(0.7) 		41.6
(5.3) 		47.8
(8.8) 		48.3
(9.1) 		43.0
(6.1) 		35.6
(2.0) 		26.0
(−3.3) 		21.7
(−5.7) 		32.7
(0.4)
Mean minimum °F (°C) 2.6
(−16.3) 		3.4
(−15.9) 		3.7
(−15.7) 		10.8
(−11.8) 		19.7
(−6.8) 		28.8
(−1.8) 		37.2
(2.9) 		36.3
(2.4) 		30.2
(−1.0) 		19.8
(−6.8) 		12.2
(−11.0) 		2.3
(−16.5) 		1.0
(−17.2)
Record low °F (°C) −26
(−32) 		−24
(−31) 		−18
(−28) 		−14
(−26) 		−2
(−19) 		9
(−13) 		24
(−4) 		25
(−4) 		13
(−11) 		2
(−17) 		−10
(−23) 		−23
(−31) 		−26
(−32)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 6.36
(162) 		8.54
(217) 		7.59
(193) 		3.71
(94) 		2.09
(53) 		1.61
(41) 		0.81
(21) 		0.93
(24) 		2.02
(51) 		3.61
(92) 		7.23
(184) 		7.11
(181) 		51.61
(1,313)
Average snowfall inches (cm) 67.1
(170) 		74.0
(188) 		83.2
(211) 		31.3
(80) 		9.9
(25) 		2.3
(5.8) 		0.0
(0.0) 		0.0
(0.0) 		2.9
(7.4) 		12.6
(32) 		48.6
(123) 		60.6
(154) 		392.5
(996.2)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) 11 11 14 9 9 5 3 3 4 7 11 10 97
Source: WRCC[3]

1968 U.S. Olympic Trials

Echo Summit is notable for being the location (sometimes listed as "South Lake Tahoe") of the 1968 U.S. Olympic track and field trials for men, held September 6–16, a month before the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City.[4][5][6][7][8] (The women's trials were at low altitude in Los Angeles County, at Walnut.)[9] The Echo Summit site opened in July as a training camp for high-altitude acclimation, with an elevation similar to the Olympic Stadium in Mexico.[7] The picturesque alpine location was on the cover of the July 1968 issue of Track and Field News.[10] The original men's trials were in Los Angeles in late June, but a second round of trials was added to the training camp.[11]

With a motel tax and financial support from Harrah's Tahoe casino, a synthetic Tartan track was purchased which was very similar to that to be used in Mexico City.[2] Installation was completed in early July and was designed to be easily dismantled and reinstalled, being moved the following summer to nearby South Tahoe Middle School where it survived until 2006. Installed southwest of the summit in the parking lot of a small ski area, hundreds of Ponderosa pine trees remained in the infield, densest on the north end. The high jump pit was also surrounded by huge boulders.[2] Four world records were achieved at the trials.[12]

The location became a California Historical Landmark in 2014 with a roadside sign along Highway 50. At the time, this was only the fifth sports-related historical site in California.[13][14][15][2]

The ski area, known as Nebelhorn and later Echo Summit, closed twenty years later in 1988. It is now Adventure Mountain, a snow play area for sledding and tubing.[16][17]

References

  1. ^ "California Highways (www.cahighways.org): Routes 49 through 56". www.cahighways.org. Retrieved 2018-05-15.
  2. ^ a b c d 1968 Olympians Return to Echo Summit, USA Track & Field, Bob Burns, June 27, 2014.
  3. ^ "Lake Spaulding, California (044713)". Western Regional Climate Center. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
  4. ^ Underwood, John (September 23, 1968). "Triumph at tragedy at Tahoe". Sports Illustrated. p. 18.
  5. ^ Burns, Bob (July 3, 2000). "Magic Mountain". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved October 11, 2014.
  6. ^ "U.S. begins first work at altitude". Spokesman-Review. Spokane, Washington. Associated Press. July 16, 1968. p. 13.
  7. ^ a b Payne, Bob (August 16, 1968). "Olympic camp's press 'ban' unpopular". Spokesman-Review. Spokane, Washington. p. 18.
  8. ^ "Vanderstock shatters record; Ryun 7th". Eugene-Register Guard. Oregon. Associated Press. September 12, 1968. p. 1B.
  9. ^ Hymans, Richard (2008), The History of the United States Olympic Trials (PDF), USA Track & Field, p. 4, archived from the original (PDF) on 17 May 2019, retrieved 23 May 2021
  10. ^ "Past Covers 1968". Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2015-04-15.
  11. ^ Hymans 2008 p.137
  12. ^ Hymans 2008 pp.9-10
  13. ^ "Echo Summit" (PDF). State of California. Department of Parks and Recreation, Office of Historic Preservation: Application for Registration, California Historical Landmark. December 20, 2012. Retrieved October 11, 2014.
  14. ^ Burns, Bob. "Echo Summit". Pacific Association. division of USA Track and Field. Retrieved October 11, 2014.
  15. ^ Reed, Kathryn (June 28, 2014). "1968 U.S. Olympic track team, Echo Summit training site continue to make history". Lake Tahoe News. Retrieved October 11, 2014.
  16. ^ Reed, Kathryn (March 3, 2014). "Old ski lodge set to open on top of Echo Summit". Lake Tahoe News. Retrieved October 11, 2014.
  17. ^ Kingman, Bill (June 1, 2014). "Then and now: Echo Summit ski resort changes". Lake Tahoe News. Retrieved October 11, 2014.
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