"I did this trail in late May when there was still a lot of snow on the mountain. I started the hike early in the morning (7 a.m.) to make sure the snow was packed and not slippery (because of the sun beating down on it). There were only 2 other cars in the lot when I got there. That already signaled me that this trail may not be as safe to hike as I had initially thought.

The hike started easy, but soon after I passed the second lake, it became tricky because it was really hard to keep track of the trail. Parts of the trail were either buried under the snow or harder to identify due to the fallen trees, bushes, and streams of water. I definitely went off the trail a few times, but thankfully, I had the map downloaded on AllTrails (yayyy AllTrails+ subscription), which came in clutch.

The trail is mostly covered until you get past the 3rd lake. After the third lake, it was all rocky and exposed. It was really hard to follow the trail from that point on because of the snow. It gets steeper from there on out. Since the trail was convere in snow, I decided to rock scramble straight to the top. It was probably not the best idea. Having done that, I'd advise against it because the rocks were loose. One wrong step, and you are either falling or twisting your ankle.

I did this hike with no poles, spikes, or gloves. Spikes would have helped because some areas required going downhill on snow-covered patches (some steeper than the others). I don't think you need gloves or warm layers.

The views throughout the hike were amazing. Don't forget to stop and look back on your way up (and look up on your way down).

Avoiding snow-covered areas in some cases will lead you off the trail, so take your time when going through those patches of snow.
Don't let your ego get in the way and turn back if you start having doubts.

A tip (shouldn't be a surprise) - When going through a patch of snow, make sure your first step is somewhat bigger so you don't step on the edges of the snow patch where the snow is usually thin and chances of you falling through are high."

ayush kalani

"My recent hike up the Mt. Tallac Trail was an adventure I won’t soon forget. It was a clear day, but the high winds added a challenging twist to the experience. Starting at the Mt. Tallac Trailhead, the trail quickly ascends and offers breathtaking views right from the beginning.

The initial part of the hike winds through lush forest and gradually climbs up, giving glimpses of Fallen Leaf Lake. As I progressed, the views only got better. At around the two-mile mark, I reached Floating Island Lake, which looked like a serene mirror reflecting the blue sky. A bit further along, I came to Cathedral Lake, nestled among towering peaks. The crystal-clear water, surrounded by granite cliffs, was simply stunning.

As I continued my ascent, the wind picked up significantly, making the hike more strenuous. The trail became rockier and more exposed, and I could feel the power of the gusts pushing against me. When I reached the section where the rock scramble begins, I encountered a surprising challenge: a significant portion of the trail was still covered in snow.

The snow-covered section added an extra layer of difficulty to the already demanding rock scramble. I had to carefully navigate the icy patches, using my trekking poles for stability. The winds were relentless at this point, making each step a careful balance act. But the effort was worth it. As I neared the summit, the views opened up dramatically, revealing the vast expanse of Lake Tahoe and the surrounding Sierra Nevada mountains.

Reaching the summit of Mt. Tallac was an exhilarating moment. Standing at 9,735 feet, I felt on top of the world. The panoramic views were absolutely spectacular, with Lake Tahoe stretching out to the north and the Desolation Wilderness sprawling to the west. Despite the high winds, I took a moment to savor the achievement and the incredible scenery.

The descent was just as challenging, especially with the wind still howling and the snow-covered sections requiring careful attention. But the sense of accomplishment and the stunning vistas made every step worthwhile. The Mt. Tallac Trail is demanding, especially with high winds and snowy patches, but the reward is an unforgettable hiking experience with some of the best views in the Tahoe area. If you're up for a challenge and prepared for varying trail conditions, this hike is an absolute must-do."

Harsh Patel

"My son used ChapGPT for trip planning suggestions, and the software picked this trail for a half-day hike. I was not so sure. However, we were more than thrilled once we were on the trail and reached the first lake up the trail. Wonderful and slightly challenging path conditions, gorgeous large lake after about 35 minutes of up walk. 15 minutes of spectacular view along the mountain top overlooking this large lake with Lake Tahoe on the backdrop. Keep climbing you will encounter two smaller yet elegant lakes as reward for your trip every 30 minutes. One of the best trails I have ever been. Strongly recommend."

Lei Li