ECHO LAKES -- On an early Thursday afternoon, one might expect a Bay Area architect to be in a hurried office setting, perhaps wearing a shirt and tie with the sleeves rolled up, poring over plans or blueprints or other architect-type documents.

But Robert Lyman found himself busy shaking off cobwebs after a nap. His wife, Laura, puttered around before going out for a hike. Chris, 12, perused the new "Harry Potter" book. Eric, 15, slept.

Such is life at Echo Lakes, a 7,465-foot mountain oasis tucked into Echo Summit that is a haven for backpackers venturing into Desolation Wilderness or those who just want to escape the many conveniences of the modern age.

"I think part of it is you drop back into the '50s. Nothing changes a lot. People are friendly," said Kathleen Fashinell, who owns and runs the Echo Chalet with ...