Ascent to Mount Tallac

We start the ascent from Fallen Leaf Lake, at an altitude of 1944 m above sea level (here we parked in a reserved parking lot) and climb the Glen Alpine Trail. Around Lily Lake and Glen Alpine Falls, still along Glen Alpine Creek.

We gradually reach higher altitudes, above the Glen Alpine Creek valley.

After about 1.5 hours, we will connect to the Pacific Crest Trail, the Pacific ridge. The PCT runs from the Mexican border through California and continues on to Oregon and Washington to British Columbia in Canada. It measures 4,286 km and is one of the most challenging treks in the world. We will conquer its 7.5 km section which will lead us to Gilmore Lake.

The Pacific Crest Trail takes us to Gilmore Lake.

We will take a short break by the lake and then continue along the Mount Tallac Trail.

We climb over the stand of firs and pines.

After about 4.5 hours we are at the top (2,960 m above sea level). We have a wonderful view of the second deepest lake in the USA, Lake Tahoe.

View from the top.

View from the top.

We start the descent along the same route to Gilmore Lake and then along the Pacific Crest Trail to Susie Lake.

We bypass the lake and continue on a smaller ascent to Heather Lake.

We will bypass the second lake. The route continues with an ascent to Aloha Lake, but we end here, it is evening, we begin to descend into the valley.

Last look at Heather Lake and a quick descent. We get to the car almost in the dark.