Mount Tallac hike

Lake Tahoe / Truckee

Hike of the Month

Mount Tallac

Beautiful vistas in every direction await you when you hike to the summit at Mount Tallac. This hike has excellent views of Lake Tahoe, Fallen Leaf Lake, Gilmore Lake, the Velma Lakes, and Desolation Wilderness.

This hike is about 10 miles round trip with an elevation gain of 3250 feet. It is ranked difficult by the National Park Service. However, much of the difficulty is going on a hot summer day, so go on a temperate day possibly in the fall.

There are two summer trails that can be taken to the summit of Mount Tallac. The trail most commonly used starts at the Mount Tallac trailhead. The hike takes about 6 hours up to the summit and back, which is about 10 miles round trip. The hike is very exposed. On a hot day take plenty of water. To get to this trailhead use Route 89 to go around Emerald Bay when coming from Tahoe City. After the road flattens out, take the first right turn after Spring Creek. There is a sign on Route 89 marking the turn for the Mount Tallac trailhead. If you reach Camp Richardson then you went too far.

The second trail is the Glen Alpine Trail, which starts at the Lilly Lake trailhead. This trail is about 11.4 miles round trip, however, it follows a cooling brook with shade for the first segment of the hike. To get to this trailhead continue on Route 89 and make a right turn to Fallen Leaf Lake. Go to the far west end of Fallen Leaf Lake, past the small store, and then turn left to the Lilly Lake trailhead, where you will find parking (this trailhead is popular and parking can fill up fast). After walking a ways on the Glen Alpine Trail make the right to Gilmore Lake and Dicks Pass. When you reach Gilmore Lake go to the east end and pick up the trail up to Mount Tallac.

Enjoy the photos that follow. They are in sequential order starting from the Mount Tallac trailhead