Bag Tahoe's Tallest

Hike to the peak of Mount Tallac in Tahoe

You can’t call yourself a Tahoe hiker until you’ve climbed 9,735-foot Mount Tallac, the imposing peak that towers over Lake Tahoe’s southwest shore. This butt-kicking, 9.4-mile hike (round-trip) boasts 3,400 feet of elevation gain (pack plenty of food and water). The Mount Tallac Trail starts out deceptively easy as it climbs the glacial moraine that hems in beautiful Fallen Leaf Lake. Savor the double lake view with Fallen Leaf in the foreground and Tahoe beyond. In 1.5 miles, you’ll reach grassy Floating Island Lake, then a mile later, tiny, rockbound Cathedral Lake.

Rest and fuel up, because the going now gets tough as you face a punishing 2,100-foot gain over 2.2 miles. Your thighs will burn traversing to Tallac’s southwest side, then ascending the jagged metamorphic rocks that mark the tip-top. Now your biggest dilemma is deciding which way to look. To the north are Cascade Lake, Emerald Bay, and giant Tahoe. To the east is Fallen Leaf Lake, and to the west and south are the lake-laden basins of the Desolation Wilderness. Spin around and take it all in. And yes, do a summit selfie!

Tip: Another trail leads to Tallac from the Glen Alpine Trailhead at Fallen Leaf Lake, but it’s about one mile longer.

From the Y-junction of U.S. 50 and Hwy. 89 in South Lake Tahoe, drive 3.5 miles northwest on Hwy. 89 to the turnoff for the Mount Tallac Trailhead (across from Baldwin Beach). Turn left and drive 0.4 mile, then turn left and drive 0.6 mile to the trailhead. Day hikers must fill out a self-serve wilderness permit at the trailhead. Dog-friendly!

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. All right, Almaden!

    Take a trip through time on this 5-mile loop in Almaden Quicksilver County Park. Explore the ruins of an old cinnabar mine and enjoy the first hints of wildflower season.

    View
  2. Waterfalls and Wine Pours

    Cooler temps, green hills, and the return of our magnificent waterfalls! This family-friendly 2-mile hike at Uvas Canyon County Park in Morgan Hill is a great way to get the most out of a short hike post-rain.

    View
  3. Woman hiker is climbing up the ladder in the Steep Ravine section of the Dipsea Loop Trail on Mount Tam

    Misty on Mount Tam

    Mount Tam’s 3.9-mile round-trip Steep Ravine and Dipsea Trail Loop weathers the wets and wilds with some confidence, sheltered in parts by redwoods, and wowing with a waterfall.

    View
  4. Mile-Long Cataract Club

    In winter after heavy rains, the north flank of Mount Tam glows with flows. The nearly mile-long series of waterfalls—Cataract Falls—transforms into a supercharged spectacle. Starting at Alpine Dam, a 1.6 mile (one-way) narrow trails threads through redwoods and ferns along Cataract Creek.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. Peace Labyrinth

    Hidden in LA’s historic West Adams district, the Peace Awareness Labyrinth & Gardens is a welcome respite from the norms of urban noise.

    View
  2. Weekend Sherpa Podcast: Take It Outside

    Adventure for your earbuds. What's new in the world of the outdoors? Listen to Weekend Sherpa co-founders discuss local hikes, beaches, bike rides, camping spots and all kinds of travel and adventure in California and beyond!

    View
  3. Hikers sitting on a large rock slab next to Three Sisters Falls in Cleveland National Forest Southern California near Julian

    Three Sisters

    Good things come in threes at this hike to a lovely trio-tiered waterfall in Cleveland National Forest. The 4.25-mile out-and-back hike rambles among rolling hills, with rocky mountain views as switchbacks take you down to a lush canyon and the falls.

    View
  4. People gathered around a tree at an LA Park as part of the Tree Tour led by Stephanie Carrie

    LA's Tree Tour

    Los Angeles is famous for its iconic palm trees but did you know that LA is home to one of the most diverse urban forests in the world? With over 1,000 different tree species lining its streets, LA offers a unique urban canopy waiting to be explored. One of the best ways to discover it is by joining a Tree Tour

    View