Mt Tallac – Lake Tahoe

August 12th, 2019

I left the Wasatch National Forest in Utah at 6am and headed directly to Lake Tahoe. What a beautiful drive it was. Roughly 9 hours long for a total of 600 miles. Gotta love those 80mph speed limits.

The drive into the Lake Tahoe region was out of this world amazing. Switchback after switchback coming down the mountains, and around the corners to outstanding views of Lake Tahoe was like a dream come true.

I arrived shortly after 4pm to the hotel. Got a much needed hot shower, clean clothes on, and walked a couple blocks to dinner. I saw a few breweries on my way in, and chose Cold Water Brewery. I highly recommend it. Tell Jake, and the wonderful hostess that Dan from Ohio said hello. It was Champions Dinner part 2. Served with some exuberantly tasteful Artic IPA. Night 1 in Tahoe was complete. Finished in style.

August 13th, 2019

The sun was rising, and birds chirping. I was awake and alive. Ready to climb Mt Tallac in the famed Desolation Wilderness.

I arrive to the trailhead about 7:30am. There were a handful of cars there, and a few arriving shortly after I did. I get my gear on, fill out the required permit, and start trekking at a fast pace.

On this hike, I was fully prepared. There were several signs posted that this is bear country. Unfamiliar to the area, I wasn’t sure what to expect. Thus, I packed my firearm, and bear spray. Can never be too safe.

I finally come out of the initial hike up into the forest, and see the below view.

I resume my fast pace, and begin hearing voices behind me. I get some distance further, stop to take a few photos, and they caught me. It was a local pair, Jennifer and Mike. They seemed about my age, and seemingly had rocket fuel in their blood. I ask if I can tail them up the mountain, and they said, “Absolutely”. I learn that they do this hike quite often. It’s no wonder they flew right up it with no trekking poles, and barely any water. Just a stuff sack each.

They get going at full speed, and I follow. I thought it is about time I found someone who can hike at my pace. Before long, I paused to take a few more photos.

This morning was continuing to become more and more like a dream come true. The sheer beauty was overwhelming.

I noticed the pair had pulled away. I immediately put my phone away, and kicked in the turbos. After 30 minutes, I finally caught them. They had stopped at this lake to shed a layer of clothes off. They wore long pants and long sleeves as it was a cool morning. I was in shorts and a t-shirt. Thus, I patiently waited and took some more photos.

In just a few minutes, we were back on the trail. Blazing up the mountain. I had consumed quite a bit of water, and had to stop for a break. They kept going.

I get going again, and look up.

My goal was getting closer. I go through switchback after switchback, steep climb here, rocky scramble there, and come to a clearing.

I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. My nemesis, a variant of ‘broken ankle alley’.

I take a short break, consume a Clif Bar, drink some water, put my pack back on, and carefully make my way through the never ending rocky mountain side.

I finally made it through the rocky terrain, or so I thought.

Seeing that marker felt so relieving.

I went up the trail further, through some trees, and fields. Then came the massive rock pile. I’m speaking about large stones. There was some climbing and scrambling involved to get up top. Nothing was going to stop me at this point.

At last, I get to the summit. 9,738 feet high. The highest peak in the Lake Tahoe rim.

One couldn’t help but notice the thousands of butterflies swarming the summit. A local said that this was the biggest outbreak of the ‘tortoise shell butterfly’ in 10 years. She then offered to take my photo.

I then return the favor and take her photo. Now it was lunch time! I sat down with a girl whom I had met on the hike up. Kayla and I shared an entertaining conversation while we ate. The resident chipmunks begged for food in style. They come up to you and put their paws on your hands looking for food. Cute little fellas. I caught one stealing food from people while they weren’t looking. Ha!

I took that money shot, and started heading back down.

I arrive back at ‘broken ankle alley’, and negotiated through it much faster on the way down.

At this point, I turn and look up at the trail behind me. I see three people a few switchbacks up the mountain, heading towards me. Two appeared to be a couple with sun umbrellas. This was the first I had seen hiking umbrellas on a trail in my career.

I enter back into the forest, and eventually come to a lake that I had passed on the way up.

Having stopped for a photo here, one there, and so on, the three had caught up to me. The four of us then hiked together the rest of the way.

I share where I am going on my trip. The one female, whom was married to the gentleman, spoke up and said that they live at the base of Mt Tamalpais, in the Bay Area. They gave me a few tips. She had also shared that she was previously part of a Heli Rescue team, and told us a few stories of crazy rescues they had to do on mountain sides and cliffs. Very cool indeed.

On the way down, you almost always see photo opps that you didn’t catch going up. Such a gorgeous landscape.

I found this very fitting as this was the last photo I took on the hike. It features, unbeknownst to me at the time, the famed ‘Tahoe Cross’. Snow gathers and freezes in the culverts of the mountain side that forms the cross.

Oddly enough, I returned back to my hotel, cleaned up, and walked to Cold Water Brewery and Grill for a second straight night. It was a most memorable surprise when I stepped back in and was greeted with cheers and hugs. It was time for Champion’s Dinner part 2.2. This time, I had it served with none other than the ever so delightful, Tahoe Cross IPA.

Miles: 11.32 Time: 5 hours 46 minutes Elevation: 9,738 feet

My visit in Lake Tahoe was everything and more that I have dreamed of ever since I was a young toddler. My father had a subscription to National Geographic magazine, and I once saw an article on Lake Tahoe. Ever since then I have wanted to visit. Never did I ever imagine it would be under the current circumstances of climbing the highest mountain on the rim to see down on it from nearly 10,000 feet up. Consider it dreams fulfilled. I will absolutely be coming back. Next time I might just stay for good. Ha!