| A jaunt up Mount Tallac located near Lake Tahoe in | | | | many in California. |
| California is one of the prime examples of a solid | | | | Fairly easy might be going a bit far, however. The |
| challenging day trek that people should have a go at | | | | trail is about 5 miles to the top and has an average |
| more often. | | | | grade of about 12%. Since the trailheads are already |
| Mount Tallac towers to a height of 9735 feet above | | | | at about 6500 feet of elevation, the climb covers |
| Lake Tahoe in California's Desolation Wilderness. It is | | | | about 3235 feet of elevation increase over the five |
| reached via State Route 89 and is both a winter and | | | | miles. This is not so difficult as to scare off even the |
| a summer recreation area. It is usually snow covered | | | | average person, but it also does not have a lot of |
| in the winter and the winter ascent to the summit is | | | | flat areas either. The best part of the effort is the |
| quite a bit different than the summer paths. For the | | | | amazing panoramic views, not just from the summit, |
| purposes of this article, we will assume you are | | | | which is awesome, but all the way up as well. |
| planning to tackle it in the summer. | | | | The two main summer trailheads both begin around |
| Despite the fact that it is located in a region know as | | | | Fallen Leaf Lake, one of many lakes in the region. |
| the Desolation Wilderness, Mount Tallac is anything | | | | The first takes a long right traverse course up the |
| but isolated. There are many very well appointed | | | | Mountain. It is the shorter of the two trails, but it has |
| recreational facilities and places to sleep and eat in | | | | virtually no shade. This is a definite disadvantage in |
| the Lake Tahoe area. In fact, even those that try | | | | the summer. The second trail is longer, but has plenty |
| this in the summer are not going to feel either | | | | of shade and the more scenic views. It passes by |
| desolated or even isolated. You are almost certain to | | | | Lake Gilmore which has swimming areas. Obviously, |
| encounter fellow mountaineers on the trip up the | | | | the second route is preferred by most people unless |
| Mountain. One of the reasons for this is the fact that | | | | their primary interest is getting to the top as quickly |
| the trail is challenging, but can be done in a day. This, | | | | as possible. |
| of course, makes it a perfect weekend escape for | | | | |