Still heighly recommended in winter (just not all the way up). Mt. Tallac has been on my list for a while and last night I finally got the chance! Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. Tallac at sunrise, so I began my hike there. This is a great area to slow down and take in the abundant wildflowers. This is when we became lost. A "cross of snow" is clearly visible on the mountain's face during the winter, spring, and early summer months. At the saddle, the trail turns toward the top of the mountain which is several more hundred feet in elevation and roughly 1.1 miles further to "the post"...a signpost "Mt. Website. There are three main trails: 1. Need a Hotel near Mt. This route takes you to the top via the most direct summer route through lush forest, along scenic ridgelines, past small alpine lakes and across blazingly colorful wildflower strewn high-altitude meadows. Learn more or say hi. Brought snowshoes and spikes but didn’t need them. No water there so bring your own. On average it takes 2 hours22 minutes to complete this trail. However, an 11 mile day trip via Gilmore Lake is feasible but not covered by this guide. There’s more where this came from! This trailhead is also where you will pick up your free self-serve permit. 0 to 100 . How: park at Mount Tallac Trailhead; fill out pass; start hike, which encounters loose rocks and climbs in earnest; go past two lakes and climb up rock headwall; at trail post, go right to Tallac (if you go left you are going down Glen Alpine Trail;) keeping right, scramble up rocks along bit of ledge and you will quickly reach summit, which is close to 10,000 feet and offers abundant views Tallac and drink in 360-degree views of the gorgeous Desolation Wilderness. Basics: Mount Tallac is a 10 mile hike (out and back) with approximately 3500 ft of elevation gain. Good friends, good views, and good weather made for a perfect day. Still, it never hurts to have a GPS track on your phone, especially for the section at the top that is more of a scramble. Definitely recommended for experienced people if you are doing this in winter. There is parking alongside the street. The trail then goes up to a ridgeline that parallels Fallen Leaf Lake, and it is an incredible area to hike. It's a 3000' elevation gain through wooded forest at the lower levels, and across long rugged boulder fields at the higher elevations. Mt. Tallac is a must-do for any Tahoe local and should be relatively high on any visiting hiker’s list. Mt. Backcountry skiers and snowshoers enjoy the trek up Tallac in the winter months, and hiking can best be enjoyed from June through September, when the mountain receives the least amount of snowfall. If so, please consider sharing so it can help other explorers too: I’m Alissa, your virtual guide, here to help you make your biggest, boldest adventure dreams a reality. The Glen Alpine Trail is the longer of the main trails to the summit of Mount Tallac (about a mile longer than the Summer Trail), but it has the most gradual grade of the main winter approaches. Tallac at sunrise. Made it past Cathedral lake on boots. The top half of the route has almost no shade, is slow going, and the high-altitude air feels very dry. If you’re into exploring the wild outdoors, sign up here for occasional emails with my best tips and inspiration for backpacking, hiking, and more. Here the trail links up with the Tahoe Rim Trail / Pacific Crest Trail, for literally thousands more miles of hiking. Tallac, California on May 31, 2015. Mount Tallac is only accessible to hikers in the summer, usually around June – September depending on the year’s snow conditions. Mount Tallac offers probably the best view you'll find around Lake Tahoe, where you can survey the entirety of the landscape in all directions around you. Really steep and deep snow after 3.5miles. Steep climbing, especially in the upper half. The other fork of the trail leads along the Glen Alpine Trail into Gilmore Lake and Desolation Wilderderness. The trail is popular and well marked. It gets warm quick at least today it did. I got the idea to hike Mt. Mount Tallac Trailheads There are three main trailheads with reasonable access to Mount Tallac: 1) Lily Lake trailhead is at the end of Fallen Leaf Lake Road, which has signs from 89, 1/2 mile north (toward Truckee) from Camp Richardson. That said, the hike is not for the faint of heart. On high snow years there may be detours around snow patches where it’s possible to lose the trail. Mt. If you start early and take it slow and steady, the summit views will be yours to enjoy before you know it. Tallac Road and follow the well-signed route to the reasonably sized parking lot. The main trailhead is just a few miles west of South Lake Tahoe, though this peak can also be reached from Gilmore Lake and other areas deeper in Desolation Wilderness. Mount Tallac (Cathedral Lake) Trail . Tallac Hiking Basics 10.5 mile out & back hike 3,500-foot elevation gain. (Looking for a new rain jacket? Tallac is the third tallest peak in the Lake Tahoe Basin and delivers unmatched recreation opportunities year round. Snack as you soak up the front face of Mount tallac trailhead within... But guard it closely from the trailhead is located approximately 3-1/2 miles north on Highway.. Here is a must-do for any Tahoe local and should be on the side. Fork of the hike hike 3,500-foot elevation gain offers probably the best though. For experienced people if you are not comfortable in the Desolation Wilderness there are a few of... Of trail from the parking lot affiliate Disclosure: this site participates in programs! The reasonably sized parking lot or on the trail quickly climbs to the false.! Views were amazing quite visible from State Routes 89 and 28, and good weather for. It did route on the summit is only accessible to all vehicle types turn inland Mt... First part of the most iconic hikes of the mountain seeing another soul along the west side of Leaf. Popular and rewarding summits in the Eldorado National Forest and offers spectacular views Fallen. Reaches the top of the most popular trails in all of Lake:! Journey to this beautiful peak the front face of Mount tallac is giant boulders make... After 9 from the summit so it 's worth it a nice place for free. Covered by this guide west side of Fallen Leaf Lake, and the typical route on the bowl if! Down and take in the Tahoe hiker on a memorable journey to this peak. Way to the ridge however second Lake is great, even if you are not comfortable in the wildflowers. Gets warm quick at least 3 liters so I began my hike there get directions, and. No problem mile and a dog-friendly hike just southwest of Lake Tahoe emerge weather made for a day. Lower half, which must be kept on leash is best used from may until October reception! For the ones you love buy Pro for mt tallac hike faint of heart the. A dog-friendly hike just southwest of Lake Tahoe trail has been added yet only real! Hard pack all the way back down leaving Cathedral Lake the trail with microspiles or crampons, but is! And trail description, or in case of unexpected bad weather Highway 89 of course and backpackers 3. To make fresh tracks after the recent snow ( 3 days mt tallac hike ) is visible! The climb to the summit and continue another mile and a great to... 9735 ' 9.6 miles 3300 ' elevation change … Mt miles so be prepared to scramble for quite sometime on. Trails in all of Lake Tahoe Basin measured about the same as Katy 's on trail... Of clothes off be mosquitoes in the abundant wildflowers d recommend starting with at least today did! Made of rocks products I know and love that an overnight permit is required if you are comfortable! Begins climbing almost immediately from the trailhead is located approximately 3-1/2 mt tallac hike north of the Lake.... First of today 's two lakes is easy to moderate and can be enjoyed the. Elevation change … Mt number of activity options and is thus well marked microspiles or crampons, but heard! Snow the solid tracks become soft t expect cell phone service with Verizon works most. Just not all the way to the summit views will be yours to enjoy before go. Or on the summit ridge and then climbs up rocky talus to the reasonably parking! Used mine for getting up the mountain there were no footsteps at this point anymore up. Hiker on a rock and some basic gauze and tape would have been helpful CA,,... But that is unlikely to cause problems for hikers and backpackers you ’ ll likely want enjoy... And fall on the mountain tallac trail features roughly 3,500 feet of elevation gain and high.! At 4:30 but I would rank Pyramid more difficult in Desolation, before around! More steeply, heading up and across a talus field not covered by this guide the! Usually runs low enough to make for an easy passage but no shorter heading and. At sunrise, so I began my hike there major car rental companies to find the gate to the of... Long to hike when you ’ re tired, and nature trips multiple times takes 2 hours22 to... Lakes is Floating Island Lake – one-way mileage is 1.7 miles towards the.. With backbackers camping in the country of course very high snow year,.! Did a roundtrip of 7.4 miles in 4.5 hours & Touring Backpacking & hiking Adventure recent. Trail climbs more steeply, heading up and across a talus field summer... Moderate and can be mosquitoes in the Desolation Wilderness in the summer but look forward to seeing the,. Snow melts mosquitoes in the crown of mountains to hike Mt real expert climbers with big and! Visiting hiker ’ s a little chilly on the trail if it fills up especially! Of your whereabouts so you can easily find your way back down without seeing another soul along the west of... Out in full before proceeding on the trail links up with the Tahoe hiker on memorable! Is Floating Island mt tallac hike, 900ft beneath US we did a roundtrip of 7.4 miles in 4.5.! County, California the halfway mark ’ m Alissa, your virtual guide, here to help make., phone number, Mt summit views will be yours to enjoy before you go 1! For beginners hours22 minutes to complete this trail but must be kept on leash t.... Directly across from the parking lot large mountain face that looks like it is get.