Mount Tallac 2006

Our route for today. We started at the trailhead opposite Baldwin Beach, off CA-89, near the NW shore of Fallen Leaf Lake. The route is about 4.5 miles each way, with about 3,300' gain/loss.

2009-06-10T14:04:49Z

Frank Farmer
Our route for today. We started at the trailhead opposite Baldwin Beach, off CA-89, near the NW shore of Fallen Leaf Lake. The route is about 4.5 miles each way, with about 3,300' gain/loss.

From left: Bree, Frank (yours truly), and Bonnie

2009-08-03T17:21:19Z

Frank Farmer
From left: Bree, Frank (yours truly), and Bonnie

Bonnie and Bree are much faster hikers than me.

2009-08-03T17:31:55Z

Frank Farmer
Bonnie and Bree are much faster hikers than me.

The route climbs right up the lateral moraine alongside Fallen Leaf lake, which soon comes into view.

2009-06-10T13:46:36Z

Frank Farmer
The route climbs right up the lateral moraine alongside Fallen Leaf lake, which soon comes into view.

Bree and Bonnie try to humor me. You're not slow, really!

2009-06-10T13:46:09Z

Frank Farmer
Bree and Bonnie try to humor me. You're not slow, really!

Our goal for today. Mt. Tallac.

2009-08-03T18:21:02Z

Frank Farmer
Our goal for today. Mt. Tallac.

Mt. Tallac is 9,735'.

2009-08-03T18:38:42Z

Frank Farmer
Mt. Tallac is 9,735'.

A more expansive view of Fallen Leaf Lake

2009-06-10T14:01:08Z

Frank Farmer
A more expansive view of Fallen Leaf Lake

Fallen Leaf Lake Panorama. The distant peaks are Monument Peak (middle), and Jobs Sister and Freel Peak (right). Lake Tahoe is coming into view at the left.

2009-06-15T05:20:51Z

Frank Farmer
Fallen Leaf Lake Panorama. The distant peaks are Monument Peak (middle), and Jobs Sister and Freel Peak (right). Lake Tahoe is coming into view at the left.

Tallac

2009-08-03T17:42:31Z

Frank Farmer
Tallac

Entering Desolation Wilderness.

2009-08-03T17:36:27Z

Frank Farmer
Entering Desolation Wilderness.

Floating Island Lake

2009-07-23T17:09:25Z

Frank Farmer
Floating Island Lake

Panorama at Floating Island Lake

2009-08-03T17:38:47Z

Frank Farmer
Panorama at Floating Island Lake

I think you'd want to filter this water before drinking it.

2009-08-03T17:46:23Z

Frank Farmer
I think you'd want to filter this water before drinking it.

Reflections

2009-08-03T17:39:37Z

Frank Farmer
Reflections

Junction with the trail down to Fallen Leaf Lake.

2009-08-03T18:08:38Z

Frank Farmer
Junction with the trail down to Fallen Leaf Lake.

More sides on the trail marker

2009-08-03T17:59:30Z

Frank Farmer
More sides on the trail marker

At Cathedral Lake. Bonnie shoots a photo. Her pictures from this hike are Here.

2009-08-03T17:47:34Z

Frank Farmer
At Cathedral Lake. Bonnie shoots a photo. Her pictures from this hike are Here.

Cathedral Lake. Not much to it. I guess if you go to the opposite rim you'll have a great view of Fallen Leaf Lake.

2009-06-10T13:35:35Z

Frank Farmer
Cathedral Lake. Not much to it. I guess if you go to the opposite rim you'll have a great view of Fallen Leaf Lake.

Now the climbing gets a bit steeper.

2009-08-03T17:17:59Z

Frank Farmer
Now the climbing gets a bit steeper.

There were a lot of people out on the trail.

2009-08-03T17:33:26Z

Frank Farmer
There were a lot of people out on the trail.

Panorama above Cathedral Lake.

2009-08-03T17:11:25Z

Frank Farmer
Panorama above Cathedral Lake.

Fallen Leaf Lake, Lake Tahoe.

2009-08-03T17:33:16Z

Frank Farmer
Fallen Leaf Lake, Lake Tahoe.

Jobs Sister, Freel Peak

2009-08-03T18:01:35Z

Frank Farmer
Jobs Sister, Freel Peak

Colorful flowers. Still pretty, though they peaked out a few weeks ago.

2009-08-03T17:50:39Z

Frank Farmer
Colorful flowers. Still pretty, though they peaked out a few weeks ago.

Heading for the bowl.

2009-08-03T17:50:09Z

Frank Farmer
Heading for the bowl.

Heading up.

2009-08-03T17:39:44Z

Frank Farmer
Heading up.

A more expansive view.

2009-06-10T13:57:34Z

Frank Farmer
A more expansive view.

Looking up at Tallac

2009-08-03T18:08:55Z

Frank Farmer
Looking up at Tallac

Looking back.

2009-08-03T18:01:59Z

Frank Farmer
Looking back.

Gaining elevation.

2009-08-03T17:19:03Z

Frank Farmer
Gaining elevation.

Great hiking companions.

2009-08-03T17:06:00Z

Frank Farmer
Great hiking companions.

We've topped out of the bowl, and are heading up the shoulder of the peak. We've come a good distance, but still have over a mile and a half to go. The view toward Desolation Valley and the ...

2009-08-03T19:14:59Z

Frank Farmer
We've topped out of the bowl, and are heading up the shoulder of the peak. We've come a good distance, but still have over a mile and a half to go. The view toward Desolation Valley and the ...

Crystal Range Panorama. Mt Ralston, Pyramid Peak and Mt Price are in view.

2009-08-03T17:22:59Z

Frank Farmer
Crystal Range Panorama. Mt Ralston, Pyramid Peak and Mt Price are in view.

Back side of Mt. Tallac. We need to go around all of that.

2009-08-03T17:14:59Z

Frank Farmer
Back side of Mt. Tallac. We need to go around all of that.

Panorama from Tallac's shoulder.

2009-08-03T17:14:50Z

Frank Farmer
Panorama from Tallac's shoulder.

East slopes of Mt. Tallac

2009-08-03T18:21:57Z

Frank Farmer
East slopes of Mt. Tallac

Crystal Range Panorama. From left: Pyramid Peak, Mt. Price, Jacks Peak.

2009-08-03T20:18:21Z

Frank Farmer
Crystal Range Panorama. From left: Pyramid Peak, Mt. Price, Jacks Peak.

Bonnie and Bree are charging up the trail.

2009-07-23T17:09:26Z

Frank Farmer
Bonnie and Bree are charging up the trail.

Hiking in the flowers.

2009-08-03T17:58:10Z

Frank Farmer
Hiking in the flowers.

It's nice to have some shade here and there.

2009-07-23T17:09:26Z

Frank Farmer
It's nice to have some shade here and there.

Looking up at the peak.

2009-07-23T17:09:26Z

Frank Farmer
Looking up at the peak.

Solitary tree. Hang in there!

2009-07-23T17:09:26Z

Frank Farmer
Solitary tree. Hang in there!

Pyramid Peak. Lake Aloha is just visible below the peak, to the right.

2009-07-23T17:09:26Z

Frank Farmer
Pyramid Peak. Lake Aloha is just visible below the peak, to the right.

Another Crystal Range Panorama. Not bad for 2-3 hours driving distance from Sacto! On a clear day, you can see these mountains from the valley.

2009-07-23T17:09:26Z

Frank Farmer
Another Crystal Range Panorama. Not bad for 2-3 hours driving distance from Sacto! On a clear day, you can see these mountains from the valley.

Heading up.

2009-08-03T18:02:43Z

Frank Farmer
Heading up.

Bright colors.

2009-08-03T17:28:21Z

Frank Farmer
Bright colors.

Bright colors.

2009-08-03T17:58:12Z

Frank Farmer
Bright colors.

Trees surviving in a harsh environment. Round Top Peak and the Three Sisters are visible between the trees.

2009-08-03T19:12:54Z

Frank Farmer
Trees surviving in a harsh environment. Round Top Peak and the Three Sisters are visible between the trees.

Zoomed in on Round Top Peak and the Three Sisters, near Carson Pass to the south.

2009-08-03T17:32:58Z

Frank Farmer
Zoomed in on Round Top Peak and the Three Sisters, near Carson Pass to the south.

Junction with the Gilmore Lake Trail, which leads to Fallen Leaf Lake, or the PCT, depending on which way you go.

2009-08-03T17:28:43Z

Frank Farmer
Junction with the Gilmore Lake Trail, which leads to Fallen Leaf Lake, or the PCT, depending on which way you go.

Looking down the trail to Gilmore Lake.

2009-08-03T17:47:58Z

Frank Farmer
Looking down the trail to Gilmore Lake.

This side shows the way to our trailhead.

2009-07-23T17:09:26Z

Frank Farmer
This side shows the way to our trailhead.

Fallen Leaf Lake and Lake Tahoe, taken near the Mt. Tallac summit.

2009-08-03T17:40:34Z

Frank Farmer
Fallen Leaf Lake and Lake Tahoe, taken near the Mt. Tallac summit.

Looking across the side of Mt. Tallac, toward the eastern shore of Lake Tahoe.

2009-08-03T18:38:08Z

Frank Farmer
Looking across the side of Mt. Tallac, toward the eastern shore of Lake Tahoe.

Blocky pillars.

2009-08-03T17:36:09Z

Frank Farmer
Blocky pillars.

Steep chute, looking where we passed earlier.

2009-08-03T17:19:53Z

Frank Farmer
Steep chute, looking where we passed earlier.

Gilmore Lake and Suzie Lake, from Mt. Tallac, with the Crystal Range in the background.

2009-08-03T17:20:39Z

Frank Farmer
Gilmore Lake and Suzie Lake, from Mt. Tallac, with the Crystal Range in the background.

Catching some solitude near Tallac's summit. There were several dozen people up here today.

2009-08-03T19:18:51Z

Frank Farmer
Catching some solitude near Tallac's summit. There were several dozen people up here today.

Bree, Bonnie, Frank on Mt. Tallac.

2009-08-03T17:46:27Z

Frank Farmer
Bree, Bonnie, Frank on Mt. Tallac.

One good photo deserves another.

2009-08-03T17:46:26Z

Frank Farmer
One good photo deserves another.

Bonnie and Bree headed on down, while I took this panorama. The lady at the right was kind enough to take my photo.

2009-08-03T17:42:13Z

Frank Farmer
Bonnie and Bree headed on down, while I took this panorama. The lady at the right was kind enough to take my photo.

Yours truly, on Mt. Tallac.

2009-08-03T17:33:14Z

Frank Farmer
Yours truly, on Mt. Tallac.

Mt. Tallac summit plateau.

2009-08-03T21:03:55Z

Frank Farmer
Mt. Tallac summit plateau.

Mt. Tallac

2009-08-03T17:16:36Z

Frank Farmer
Mt. Tallac

Bonnie and Bree are heading down. I won't catch them until we're back at the car.

2009-08-03T17:19:19Z

Frank Farmer
Bonnie and Bree are heading down. I won't catch them until we're back at the car.

Round Top Peak and the Three Sisters. Elephants Back is visible to the left of Round Top.

2009-07-23T17:09:27Z

Frank Farmer
Round Top Peak and the Three Sisters. Elephants Back is visible to the left of Round Top.

Pyramid Peak, Lake Aloha.

2009-08-03T18:08:47Z

Frank Farmer
Pyramid Peak, Lake Aloha.

Looking back to the summit as I head down.

2009-08-03T17:39:58Z

Frank Farmer
Looking back to the summit as I head down.

Leaving Mt. Tallac.

2009-08-03T17:43:17Z

Frank Farmer
Leaving Mt. Tallac.

A glimpse of Bree rocketing down the trail.

2009-07-23T17:09:27Z

Frank Farmer
A glimpse of Bree rocketing down the trail.

Wider view.

2009-08-03T17:38:54Z

Frank Farmer
Wider view.

Gotta have another shot of Pyramid Peak.

2009-08-03T17:14:35Z

Frank Farmer
Gotta have another shot of Pyramid Peak.

The route where we turn down into the bowl is in the clear area up ahead.

2009-08-03T17:22:53Z

Frank Farmer
The route where we turn down into the bowl is in the clear area up ahead.

Trees offer nice shade, nice views.

2009-08-03T18:09:43Z

Frank Farmer
Trees offer nice shade, nice views.

Rock being absorbed by a tree.

2009-08-03T17:45:58Z

Frank Farmer
Rock being absorbed by a tree.

Colorful flowers, rocks.

2009-08-03T17:13:42Z

Frank Farmer
Colorful flowers, rocks.

Colorful flowers, rocks.

2009-07-23T17:09:27Z

Frank Farmer
Colorful flowers, rocks.

Expansive view

2009-08-03T17:37:11Z

Frank Farmer
Expansive view

Expansive view.

2009-07-23T17:09:27Z

Frank Farmer
Expansive view.

Expansive view.

2009-08-03T17:25:51Z

Frank Farmer
Expansive view.

Expansive view.

2009-07-23T17:09:27Z

Frank Farmer
Expansive view.

This is where the trail drops down into the bowl.

2009-08-03T17:38:56Z

Frank Farmer
This is where the trail drops down into the bowl.

Looking down from the edge of the plateau.

2009-08-03T18:31:36Z

Frank Farmer
Looking down from the edge of the plateau.

Bree and Bonnie are a couple of switchbacks ahead of me.

2009-08-03T17:46:38Z

Frank Farmer
Bree and Bonnie are a couple of switchbacks ahead of me.

Bonnie and Bree rocketing down the trail.

2009-07-23T17:09:27Z

Frank Farmer
Bonnie and Bree rocketing down the trail.

Heading down the switchbacks, through the bowl.

2009-08-03T17:55:15Z

Frank Farmer
Heading down the switchbacks, through the bowl.

Zoomed in on Bonnie and Bree.

2009-08-03T17:53:46Z

Frank Farmer
Zoomed in on Bonnie and Bree.

Wide open spaces.

2009-07-23T17:09:28Z

Frank Farmer
Wide open spaces.

Above Cathedral Lake. This must have been named by a real estate agent.

2009-08-03T18:15:39Z

Frank Farmer
Above Cathedral Lake. This must have been named by a real estate agent.

Exiting Desolation Wilderness.

2009-08-03T17:45:12Z

Frank Farmer
Exiting Desolation Wilderness.

Back at the trailhead. We had a great dinner at Tortilla Flats in Placerville, on the way home. Highly recommended! This was a fun hike. Thanks to Bonnie for planning the hike, and driving u ...

2009-08-03T17:54:06Z

Frank Farmer
Back at the trailhead. We had a great dinner at Tortilla Flats in Placerville, on the way home. Highly recommended! This was a fun hike. Thanks to Bonnie for planning the hike, and driving u ...