Distance: 10.1 miles round trip on trail
Summit Elevation: 9735'
Prominence: 695'
Elevation Gain: 3400'
Elevation Gain (in Empire State Buildings): 2.7
Round trip time: 6 hours 30 minutes
Recommended water: 96 oz.
Parking/Fees: Free at Mount Tallac Trailhead
Difficulty: Moderate
Our plan for Tahoe included climbing Mount Tallac (SPS #225), renowned for views of Lake Tahoe and the surrounding area. Raging wildfires hadn't broken out when we made our plans, but the smoke was sure to interfere with our views if not our breathing. Leisa and I got started around 6:30 AM and could at least see Mount Tallac as we drove to the trailhead. A free self-signed permit is usually required, but a sign at the trailhead waived day hike permits for 2021. The first couple of miles were in pine trees and shade. We hiked along a ridge line looking down on Falling Leaf Lake, a huge lake itself. The next small lake we passed was Floating Island Lake and I got a good mirror image photo of Mount Tallac despite the smoke. The second small lake we passed was Cathedral Lake. The trail began climbing more seriously after Cathedral.
Steps had been built into the trail, a lot of big steps in the 2' to 2.5' range. The terrain started getting rocky and around 8200', the tree line ended. The following mile was spent climbing a talus slope to a major ridge. The main trail rock hopped up the slope. I noticed another trail to the south that also climbed up to the ridge, but skipped the rocks. It looked too defined to be an animal trail, but I didn't remember a junction. I found that trail on CalTopo later and while it might add a little distance, it may be easier that the talus hop. When we gained the ridge, we traveled on somewhat flat ground behind a false summit. I was surprised and awed that an idyllic scene of trees and flowers lived on this plateau below Tallac. From this vantage, we could also spot Gilmore Lake to the east.
The final approach hinted at scrambling ahead, but it was class 1 to the top. The summit was swarming with black flying ants that allowed me to stay there about 10 seconds. No marks or register that I could see. Views opened up in all directions, but most of it covered by white smoke filling the Tahoe Basin. We could see the south shore of Lake Tahoe, but not much past it. So much promise hidden behind the haze. We descended off the summit area before taking a break. As a hike, Tallac probably makes my top 10 for overall beauty -- minus the smoke. We noticed a few parties starting up the mountain late when we were nearly down. That probably didn't turn out well since rain and T-storms hit the area later in the afternoon.
"So much promise hidden behind the haze."
ReplyDeleteGreat bit of writing my friend.
Madison,
DeleteThanks, means a lot coming from you.