Jeffrey Schaffer

While on my way to Showers Lake I met Jeffrey Schaffer, the author of numerous hiking books.

Although you can just walk along the trail I recommend you get some of Jeffrey's books to learn more about the geology, flora, and fauna where you'll be hiking. These two are good for the area near Echo Lake:

The Tahoe Sierra: A Natural History Guide to 112 Hikes in the Northern Sierra

Desolation Wilderness and the South Lake Tahoe Basin.