Talking Mountain and Becker Peak

Becker Peak Talking Mountain

Start from the parking lot about 300 yards above Echo Lake
Chalet and find the start for the Tahoe Rim Trail.  Head southwest (up and to the right) on the
trail.  Under ½ a mile later stay right
at the trail junction and continue southwest on the faint trail which gently
rolls uphill.  Stay on this trail for
about a mile until the rocky outcropping of Becker Peak comes into view.  It is a short scramble for the last 200 feet
to the rocky summit.

Talking mountain can be seen about a mile further straight
west on the ridge.  Descend Becker
Mountain Peak and stay on the ridge or to the south side.  There are signs of a faint trail at times but
the majority of the traverse is on large boulders, sandy slopes, and through
some small bushes.  I did this traverse
in shorts but would recommend where long pants as it is nearly impossible to
avoid bushwhacking at times.  From the
summit of Talking Mountain retrace your steps and stay to the south side (right
side) of Becker Peak to avoid having to climb to the summit again.  Round trip was nearly 3.5 miles with 1200
feet of climbing.  I was moving pretty
good and it took me about an hour and a half.