Route Climbed: SE Chute Date Climbed: June 1, 2003
Climbed with Shannon. The route wasn't too steep and I didn't even use crampons, even though they would be helpful at the last 100 - 150 feet of steeper incline. We descended via the "X" (straight down from the summit) which was steep and exciting descend on snow and rock. The last section before joining the main trail involved quite a bit of bushwacking.
Route Climbed: SE Chute Date Climbed: June 1, 2003
Climbed via the SE chute and descended via the "X". The alternate descent made the day much more interesting. It got fairly sloppy on the way in and worse on the way out. Climbed with Kris. There were only 3 others on the summit when we were there that we enjoyed talking with. Not bad for a Sunday.
Route Climbed: SE Gully Date Climbed: 1 February 2003
Thanks to whoever it was who kicked steps at the top of the gully. I didn't have crampons with me and it would have been very difficult otherwise (spring condition snow). Descended via NE ridge.
Route Climbed: Fallen Leaf Lake Date Climbed: February 22, 1999
Started out by myself at 4am under a beautiful moon. It always amazes me how much you can see by moonlight, especially when there is snow on the ground. I was taken back by the magnificant views during this winter climb, and it kept getting better all the way up.
I topped out at 8:30am and soaked in the glorious views of Lake Tahoe and the Sierras in the heart of winter. I headed down before the hoards of backcountry skiers could make it to the summit and returned to climb this peak 3 more times over the next year.
Route Climbed: Tallac Trailhead to Cathedral Lake to summit Date Climbed: August 12, 2002
Perfect day for a trip to top of Tallac--this was a re-do of a trip done with my older brothers 37 years ago, and this time I did it with my youngest brother. Weather was perfect except for haze, and the views are spectacular, better than I remembered from the mid 60's. Age does have benefits, as I really appreciated all of the trip, not just the summit. A little disconcerting that the wildlife along the way seem to view humans as a convenient source of food. Family of ducklings at Floating Island Lake made a beeline for us, obviously expecting food. Good in the sense that humans have treated them well and are not viewed as a threat, but sad that we feed them and make them a little less wild. Same experience with chipmunks at the top, who actually became pesky, climbing onto laps and into backpacks...
Exited down to Gilmore Lake, which is as beautiful as ever. Wildflowers on the way down from the summit were in full bloom, as summer is now hitting the alpine meadows. Views of Desolation Wilderness were awesome, and the call of the backcountry was pretty intense, especially the desolate-appearing Aloha Lake and the many islands...The hike down to Glen Alpine Springs and then to Fallen Leaf was pretty, and the total day-hike was a very good workout. Fortunately, we had a car waiting at Fallen Leaf Lodge after taking in a lemonade on the deck of the Lodge...Another day to remember for the rest of my life.
Route Climbed: Cathedral Lake Trail Date Climbed: August 10, 2002
Beautiful hike on a beautiful Saturday morning. There were only a half dozen cars in the parking lot when I arrived. Left the Mt. Tallac trailhead at 9:30 a.m. and arrived at the summit at 11:40 a.m. The trail was a steady and pleasant climb up to Cathedral Lake, but became rather steep after that. The views of Falling Leaf Lake are impressive. After ascending out of Cathedral Lake, I scrambled over the ridge and bypassed the steadier climb southwest around the ridge and through the meadow, rejoining the main trail below the peak southeast of the summit. The route to the top was fairly empty, with only a few people visible on the ridge above me. A half dozen other hikers were at the summit when I arrived at noon. Unfortunately, the summit was swarming with bees and other insects, which allowed for only a few seconds to enjoy the commanding views. After about 30 minutes at the top, I headed down and returned to the parking lot at 2:00 pm. The trail was much more crowded on the descent, but that's to be expected, I guess. All in all, a pleasant and rewarding hike. The views are definitely worth the effort. If you go in the summer, bring plenty of water, as you will spend a significant amount of time above the timber line.
Route Climbed: Cathedral Lake Trail Date Climbed: 20 July, 2002
Sweet hike to the summit - very beautiful! Threatening clouds cut short our stay at the summit and we had a little bit of refreshing rain on the hike back. Report and pictures here.
Route Climbed: Cathedral Lake Date Climbed: July 3, 2002
Donna S. and I day-hiked to the summit in 3.5 hr. Day use wilderness permits available using the self-serve kiosk at trailhead. Steep slog shortly after leaving Cathedral Lake is a challenge. Beautiful views of Lake Tahoe and Emerald Bay from the top. Recommend a treking pole to negotiate the scree and loose rock on the descent from south slopes. Ample water was available.
Route Climbed: SE Chutes Date Climbed: August 2001
Crowded summit on a busy summer weekend, but the weather was perfect. Unwilling to deal with the hordes on the main trail, we blazed straight up the chutes on the SE face, which give awesome views over your shoulder the entire way up.
Route Climbed: Standard route from Mt Tallac trailhead Date Climbed: 9/30/2001
Day-hiked this peak with Wei. This route is the standard one with a road sign for "Mt Tallac Trailhead" on Highway. It's 9-10 miles round trip, 3400 feet elevation gain, the easiest day hike to Tallac in summer.
Mount Tallac has unquestionably the best view of Lake Tahoe. In the late afternoon when we were on the summit the light on Lake Tahoe was just gorgeous.
Zzyzx - Aug 16, 2003 9:01 pm
Route Climbed: SE Chute Date Climbed: June 1, 2003Climbed with Shannon. The route wasn't too steep and I didn't even use crampons, even though they would be helpful at the last 100 - 150 feet of steeper incline. We descended via the "X" (straight down from the summit) which was steep and exciting descend on snow and rock. The last section before joining the main trail involved quite a bit of bushwacking.
rgmackie - Aug 9, 2003 7:09 pm
Route Climbed: Cathedral Lake Date Climbed: 15 July 2001Nice day hike to bring kids or significant other. Carried a 3 year old in a 'kid-carrier' backpack. Great views of Lake Tahoe.
tahoeclimber - Jun 1, 2003 7:02 pm
Route Climbed: SE Chute Date Climbed: June 1, 2003Climbed via the SE chute and descended via the "X". The alternate descent made the day much more interesting. It got fairly sloppy on the way in and worse on the way out. Climbed with Kris. There were only 3 others on the summit when we were there that we enjoyed talking with. Not bad for a Sunday.
mpbro - May 26, 2003 1:08 am
Route Climbed: Cathedral Lake via Stanford Sierra Camp Date Climbed: 16 May 2003Climbed with Jesse Lomask. Got a late start (0800) but made it back for lunch (1230), aided by a glissade down the Cathedral bowl.
Sloppy conditions in spots on the way up, but far worse on the way down. Clear, windless, and warm day on the summit.
pieris - Feb 3, 2003 3:43 pm
Route Climbed: SE Gully Date Climbed: 1 February 2003Thanks to whoever it was who kicked steps at the top of the gully. I didn't have crampons with me and it would have been very difficult otherwise (spring condition snow). Descended via NE ridge.
thenunz - Oct 29, 2002 12:43 pm
Route Climbed: Fallen Leaf and trail up form Gilmore Date Climbed: Too many to rememberA great day hike to get above Tahoe. Great views of Desolation Wilderness and the lake.
bearbnz - Sep 28, 2002 5:45 pm
Route Climbed: Tourist route along Fallen Leaf Lake Date Climbed: Summer 1997Hiked with Craig Nielsen to the top, great views of Tahoe, plenty of tourists.
bps - Aug 19, 2002 5:16 pm
Route Climbed: Fallen Leaf Lake Date Climbed: February 22, 1999Started out by myself at 4am under a beautiful moon. It always amazes me how much you can see by moonlight, especially when there is snow on the ground. I was taken back by the magnificant views during this winter climb, and it kept getting better all the way up.
I topped out at 8:30am and soaked in the glorious views of Lake Tahoe and the Sierras in the heart of winter. I headed down before the hoards of backcountry skiers could make it to the summit and returned to climb this peak 3 more times over the next year.
tom52 - Aug 14, 2002 12:13 pm
Route Climbed: Tallac Trailhead to Cathedral Lake to summit Date Climbed: August 12, 2002Perfect day for a trip to top of Tallac--this was a re-do of a trip done with my older brothers 37 years ago, and this time I did it with my youngest brother. Weather was perfect except for haze, and the views are spectacular, better than I remembered from the mid 60's. Age does have benefits, as I really appreciated all of the trip, not just the summit. A little disconcerting that the wildlife along the way seem to view humans as a convenient source of food. Family of ducklings at Floating Island Lake made a beeline for us, obviously expecting food. Good in the sense that humans have treated them well and are not viewed as a threat, but sad that we feed them and make them a little less wild. Same experience with chipmunks at the top, who actually became pesky, climbing onto laps and into backpacks...
Exited down to Gilmore Lake, which is as beautiful as ever. Wildflowers on the way down from the summit were in full bloom, as summer is now hitting the alpine meadows. Views of Desolation Wilderness were awesome, and the call of the backcountry was pretty intense, especially the desolate-appearing Aloha Lake and the many islands...The hike down to Glen Alpine Springs and then to Fallen Leaf was pretty, and the total day-hike was a very good workout. Fortunately, we had a car waiting at Fallen Leaf Lodge after taking in a lemonade on the deck of the Lodge...Another day to remember for the rest of my life.
Tom and Steve Lavelle
cbuelow - Aug 12, 2002 2:05 pm
Route Climbed: Cathedral Lake Trail Date Climbed: August 10, 2002Beautiful hike on a beautiful Saturday morning. There were only a half dozen cars in the parking lot when I arrived. Left the Mt. Tallac trailhead at 9:30 a.m. and arrived at the summit at 11:40 a.m. The trail was a steady and pleasant climb up to Cathedral Lake, but became rather steep after that. The views of Falling Leaf Lake are impressive. After ascending out of Cathedral Lake, I scrambled over the ridge and bypassed the steadier climb southwest around the ridge and through the meadow, rejoining the main trail below the peak southeast of the summit. The route to the top was fairly empty, with only a few people visible on the ridge above me. A half dozen other hikers were at the summit when I arrived at noon. Unfortunately, the summit was swarming with bees and other insects, which allowed for only a few seconds to enjoy the commanding views. After about 30 minutes at the top, I headed down and returned to the parking lot at 2:00 pm. The trail was much more crowded on the descent, but that's to be expected, I guess. All in all, a pleasant and rewarding hike. The views are definitely worth the effort. If you go in the summer, bring plenty of water, as you will spend a significant amount of time above the timber line.
adampaul - Jul 21, 2002 5:44 pm
Route Climbed: Cathedral Lake Trail Date Climbed: 20 July, 2002Sweet hike to the summit - very beautiful! Threatening clouds cut short our stay at the summit and we had a little bit of refreshing rain on the hike back. Report and pictures here.
tpbarrera - Jul 10, 2002 10:55 pm
Route Climbed: Cathedral Lake Date Climbed: July 3, 2002Donna S. and I day-hiked to the summit in 3.5 hr. Day use wilderness permits available using the self-serve kiosk at trailhead. Steep slog shortly after leaving Cathedral Lake is a challenge. Beautiful views of Lake Tahoe and Emerald Bay from the top. Recommend a treking pole to negotiate the scree and loose rock on the descent from south slopes. Ample water was available.
peak bagger - May 26, 2002 6:42 pm
Route Climbed: Cathedral Lake Trail Date Climbed: May 26 2002Nice day to climb. Still some big snow fields in the bowl area.
steeleman - Oct 30, 2001 6:53 pm
Route Climbed: SE Chutes Date Climbed: August 2001Crowded summit on a busy summer weekend, but the weather was perfect. Unwilling to deal with the hordes on the main trail, we blazed straight up the chutes on the SE face, which give awesome views over your shoulder the entire way up.
gordonye - Oct 1, 2001 1:10 am
Route Climbed: Standard route from Mt Tallac trailhead Date Climbed: 9/30/2001Day-hiked this peak with Wei. This route is the standard one with a road sign for "Mt Tallac Trailhead" on Highway. It's 9-10 miles round trip, 3400 feet elevation gain, the easiest day hike to Tallac in summer.
Mount Tallac has unquestionably the best view of Lake Tahoe. In the late afternoon when we were on the summit the light on Lake Tahoe was just gorgeous.
mconnell - Jul 17, 2001 12:30 pm
Route Climbed: Traverse from dicks peak Date Climbed: May 2000Went up Dicks Peak from Emerald Bay, traversed to Tallac, and then had a great glissade down to the trail back to the car.