OTHER Trip Report 09/21/2014

Peak(s):	Mount Tallac - 9739
Date Posted:	09/21/2014
Date Climbed:	07/04/2014
Author:	Tony1

Mount Tallac of Tahoe
Mount Tallac 9739 feet South Slope from Mount Tallac Trailhead 10 miles RT 3250 feet gain A small family trip to Lake Tahoe for the 4th of July means another easy opportunity to hike outside of Colorado, so I looked for something straightforward and close to where the extended family's lake house is located. I chose Mount Tallac, a mountain on the southwestern side of the lake, just to the west of the city of South Lake Tahoe, California. Its large east face can be seen rising into the sky from all over the area and holds a tilted cross of snow well into the summer. The name "Tallac" is a Washo name meaning "big mountain." On the morning of the 4th, I drove over to the Mount Tallac trailhead which is pretty simple to find, located west of South Lake Tahoe, a couple of miles down the access road off California Highway 89. The trailhead sits around 6500 feet. It's likely that those who arrive after "early" in the morning will have to park a block or two down the road. Mount Tallac Trailhead After getting myself a free day-use permit, I set off on the trail under the warm sun. It was a little hot, but you know what they say, it's a dry heat right? The sandy trail makes its way southward and gains a little elevation. It soon climbs to the top of a small ridge and the eastern view opens up to Fallen Leaf Lake, a decent-sized lake to the south of the much larger Lake Tahoe. The trail. Fallen Leaf Lake, with Lake Tahoe in the background. The trail leaves the ridgeline, heads up a little farther into the forest, and soon arrives at Floating Island Lake near 7200 feet elevation, which is seen to the west of the trail. A ways farther down the trail and a little higher up lies Cathedral Lake, a scenic alpine lake surrounded by rock outcroppings and trees at about 7700 feet. Floating Island Lake Cathedral Lake After Cathedral Lake, the trail leaves the forest (but is still well below treeline) and switchbacks up some short rock walls. After the quick ascent, it levels out somewhat and climbs a little more through a small patch of forest. Ascending steeper, more open terrain. Looking back over Lake Tahoe. Now the trail gets a little tougher. The trail works its way up the middle of the large bowl toward much steeper terrain directly ahead. The views to the east of Lake Tahoe and Fallen Leaf Lake keep getting better and better, including South Lake Tahoe and Heavenly ski area. Steeper terrain ahead. The views get better and better! The trail eagerly switchbacks up the steep slope, through grass and some scree. The wildflowers in the area were small but in full bloom, and a pine tree here and there dotted the slope. Near the top of the slope was one lone small snow patch covering the trail, quickly melting away. Looking back down. Almost all gone. Upon reaching the top of the steep slope around 8600 feet, the view immediately opens up to the south and west as the trail crosses onto Tallac's gentle south slope. The view to the south upon reaching Tallac's gentle south slope. The view to the west from the same spot. The level trail at this point is a nice break, but there is still a little over 1000 feet to gain to reach the summit. The trail crosses through the meadow on the slope and heads up into the thin forest. It ascends the somewhat gentle slope, switchbacking a couple times as the trees get smaller and increasingly weathered. A couple hundred feet below the summit, the trail turns a sharp, sandy corner and the last of the trees end, giving way to the talus-covered and rocky summit. The trail makes its way through the rocks and quickly deposits hikers on the summit of Mount Tallac. The trail as it turns north and ascends the slope. Near the summit. Almost out of the trees. Final push! Looking back down the route from the summit. From the summit, much of the Desolation Wilderness (which includes Mt. Tallac) can be seen to the west, higher peaks of the Sierra can be seen to the south and southeast, and almost all of the Lake Tahoe Basin is in view, including Emerald Bay, South Lake Tahoe, Stateline, and Heavenly ski area. Looking toward taller peaks. Looking west toward Dicks Peak and Jacks Peak (really). The lake in the foreground is Gilmore Lake. So much granite. Lake Tahoe, with Emerald Bay visible toward the bottom left, with all the boats. Nothing like this in Colorado (but overall we're still better). A butterfly decided to come visit. Looking north along the mountains that rise directly to the west of Lake Tahoe. The summit area. I spent an hour on the summit, soaking up the great weather and the views, before making my way back down to the trailhead. I slowly made my way back to the house just across the border on the Nevada side, through the increasingly gridlocked South Lake Tahoe area, filled with spectators for the fireworks show that night, of which reportedly more than 100,000 people viewed from the southern Lake Tahoe area. On the way back down the trail. Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

Mount Tallac of Tahoe

Mount Tallac
9739 feet
South Slope from Mount Tallac Trailhead
10 miles RT
3250 feet gain

A small family trip to Lake Tahoe for the 4th of July means another easy opportunity to hike outside of Colorado, so I looked for something straightforward and close to where the extended family's lake house is located. I chose Mount Tallac, a mountain on the southwestern side of the lake, just to the west of the city of South Lake Tahoe, California. Its large east face can be seen rising into the sky from all over the area and holds a tilted cross of snow well into the summer. The name "Tallac" is a Washo name meaning "big mountain."

On the morning of the 4th, I drove over to the Mount Tallac trailhead which is pretty simple to find, located west of South Lake Tahoe, a couple of miles down the access road off California Highway 89. The trailhead sits around 6500 feet. It's likely that those who arrive after "early" in the morning will have to park a block or two down the road.

After getting myself a free day-use permit, I set off on the trail under the warm sun. It was a little hot, but you know what they say, it's a dry heat right? The sandy trail makes its way southward and gains a little elevation. It soon climbs to the top of a small ridge and the eastern view opens up to Fallen Leaf Lake, a decent-sized lake to the south of the much larger Lake Tahoe.

Fallen Leaf Lake, with Lake Tahoe in the background.

The trail leaves the ridgeline, heads up a little farther into the forest, and soon arrives at Floating Island Lake near 7200 feet elevation, which is seen to the west of the trail. A ways farther down the trail and a little higher up lies Cathedral Lake, a scenic alpine lake surrounded by rock outcroppings and trees at about 7700 feet.

After Cathedral Lake, the trail leaves the forest (but is still well below treeline) and switchbacks up some short rock walls. After the quick ascent, it levels out somewhat and climbs a little more through a small patch of forest.

Now the trail gets a little tougher. The trail works its way up the middle of the large bowl toward much steeper terrain directly ahead. The views to the east of Lake Tahoe and Fallen Leaf Lake keep getting better and better, including South Lake Tahoe and Heavenly ski area.

The trail eagerly switchbacks up the steep slope, through grass and some scree. The wildflowers in the area were small but in full bloom, and a pine tree here and there dotted the slope. Near the top of the slope was one lone small snow patch covering the trail, quickly melting away.

Upon reaching the top of the steep slope around 8600 feet, the view immediately opens up to the south and west as the trail crosses onto Tallac's gentle south slope.

The view to the south upon reaching Tallac's gentle south slope.

The view to the west from the same spot.

The level trail at this point is a nice break, but there is still a little over 1000 feet to gain to reach the summit. The trail crosses through the meadow on the slope and heads up into the thin forest. It ascends the somewhat gentle slope, switchbacking a couple times as the trees get smaller and increasingly weathered. A couple hundred feet below the summit, the trail turns a sharp, sandy corner and the last of the trees end, giving way to the talus-covered and rocky summit. The trail makes its way through the rocks and quickly deposits hikers on the summit of Mount Tallac.

The trail as it turns north and ascends the slope.

Looking back down the route from the summit.

From the summit, much of the Desolation Wilderness (which includes Mt. Tallac) can be seen to the west, higher peaks of the Sierra can be seen to the south and southeast, and almost all of the Lake Tahoe Basin is in view, including Emerald Bay, South Lake Tahoe, Stateline, and Heavenly ski area.

Looking west toward Dicks Peak and Jacks Peak (really). The lake in the foreground is Gilmore Lake.

Lake Tahoe, with Emerald Bay visible toward the bottom left, with all the boats.

Nothing like this in Colorado (but overall we're still better).

Looking north along the mountains that rise directly to the west of Lake Tahoe.

I spent an hour on the summit, soaking up the great weather and the views, before making my way back down to the trailhead. I slowly made my way back to the house just across the border on the Nevada side, through the increasingly gridlocked South Lake Tahoe area, filled with spectators for the fireworks show that night, of which reportedly more than 100,000 people viewed from the southern Lake Tahoe area.

Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

Comments or Questions

Steve Climber	TALLAC! 9/22/2014 2:19am I grew up in and around Tahoe and Tallac is one of my favorites for the view of the lake. Nice work! Brought a smile to my face and made me a little homesick.
JosephG	Great! 9/22/2014 4:33pm Really nice to see this report. jf32 and I climbed Tallac back in January 2011 so it's really enjoyable to see the area without the snow (or ice or postholing)! Seeing all the dry rock and sun makes me thirsty.

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