Lake Tahoe
Trip Type: Day Hike
Elevation: 6500 - 9700 ft
Distance: 8.5 Miles
Vegetation: Forest, Shrub and Meadow
Last Visit: November 2014
If you're going to hike just one peak in the Lake Tahoe area, I suggest you make it Mt. Tallac. The peak is high enough and the approach long enough to feel like an achievement, without feeling like a deathmarch. The lower reaches of the trail are nothing special, but but pleasant. You pass some small alpine lakes on the climb and as you gain the main ridge, the views get better and better. By the time you hit the summit, the 360 view over Lake Tahoe and the Desolation Wilderness is spectacular.
Rules
This hike is in the Desolation Wilderness, part of the El Dorado National Forest. Free day-use permits are required in the Desolation Wilderness. Use the permit station at the trailhead to sign in. If you want to camp, you'll need an overnight permit. The Desolation Wilderness is sectioned off into several zones with entry quotas, so these permits can be difficult to get a hold of on summer weekends. 70% of the permits are available for reservation on Recreation.gov. The remainder can be claimed on the day of entry at the Pacific Ranger District (near Pollock Pines on Hwy 50) or the Lake Tahoe Visitor Center (South Lake Tahoe). Dogs are allowed off leash under voice command in the Desolation Wilderness.
Trailhead
From the Bay Area, take CA 50 to South Lake Tahoe, then CA 89 north torwards Tahoe City. Just after Cathedral Rd., turn south on Mt. Tallac road. At the split take Mt. Tallac road "A" to the trailhead.
The Route
We took the standard summer route from the Mt. Tallac Trailhead. In winter a more direct route up the northern face of the mountain is a common choice for backcountry skiers. A longer route is also possible from the Glen Alpine trailhead at the south end of Fallen Leaf lake, ascending via Lake Gilmore.
Anyway, the route is simple, climbing south on a ridge overlooking Fallen Leaf lake, passing Floating Island Lake and Cathedral Lake before switchbacking up a broad ravine on the south east side of the mountain, and final climbing the broad shrubby slope of the south side of the mountain.
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| Ice Crystals in a footprint. Winter is Coming. |
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| Fallen Leaf Lake from the trail |
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| Floating Island Lake |
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