South Lake Tahoe · RedAwning

Mount TallacA 9,738-foot summit hike above Emerald Bay — 9.6 miles round-trip past three alpine lakes for the best view on Lake Tahoe

The iconic peak rising above Lake Tahoe's south shore, Mount Tallac tops out at 9,738 feet inside the Desolation Wilderness. Its 9.6-mile out-and-back trail climbs roughly 3,300 feet past Floating Island Lake, Cathedral Lake, and Gilmore Lake before a rocky scramble to a summit with arguably the finest panorama in the basin — Emerald Bay, Fallen Leaf Lake, and the full sweep of Lake Tahoe laid out below. A free self-issue wilderness permit is required, and the best window runs May through October.

Hours todaySunrise – SunsetMonday hours
TicketsFrom $5Overnight permit — 1 night
LocationSouth Lake Tahoe, CaliforniaMount Tallac Trailhead, Highway 89
Official sitefs.usda.govPlan your visit

9,738 ftSummit elevation
9.6 miRound-trip distance
3,300 ftElevation gain
3Alpine lakes en route

Mount Tallac is the dark, often snow-streaked peak that anchors the skyline above Lake Tahoe's south shore, rising to 9,738 feet inside the Desolation Wilderness. Its distinctive cross-shaped snowfield is visible from across the lake well into summer. The summit hike is among the most popular and demanding day hikes in the Tahoe area — a 9.6-mile out-and-back climbing roughly 3,300 feet from the trailhead off Highway 89, a mile in from the road across from Baldwin Beach.

The route is a tour of alpine water before it is a summit. It climbs a ridgeline with early views over Fallen Leaf Lake, reaches Floating Island Lake, then Cathedral Lake, where the real work begins. Above the treeline the trail turns rocky and steep, passing Gilmore Lake before the final scramble to the top. The payoff is a 360-degree panorama — Emerald Bay and Fallen Leaf Lake directly below, the full expanse of Lake Tahoe to the east, and the Crystal Range of Desolation Wilderness to the west. Most hikers agree there is no better vantage in the basin.

Treat it as a serious outing: the high elevation and rocky upper grade are harder on the body than the mileage suggests, so trekking poles, layers, sun protection, and at least three liters of water are wise. A free self-issue wilderness permit is required at the trailhead, with a quota system May through October. Start at dawn — the lot fills by 7–8 AM on summer weekends, mosquitoes peak in early summer, and you want to be off the exposed summit before afternoon thunderstorms roll in.

The summit panorama
From the 9,738-foot top, a 360-degree view takes in Emerald Bay and Fallen Leaf Lake directly below, the full sweep of Lake Tahoe to the east, and the Crystal Range to the west. Widely considered the finest viewpoint anywhere in the Tahoe Basin.
Floating Island & Cathedral Lakes
The first two alpine lakes on the climb — Floating Island Lake, then Cathedral Lake, a classic rest stop tucked beneath the headwall. Above Cathedral the trail steepens sharply and exits the treeline, marking the start of the hard upper section.
Fallen Leaf Lake ridgeline
The opening mile climbs a ridge with sweeping views down to Fallen Leaf Lake — the easiest, most photogenic stretch of the route and a worthwhile turnaround on its own for hikers not committing to the full summit push.
Gilmore Lake & the final scramble
Past Gilmore Lake the trail becomes rocky and exposed for the last steep push to the top. It's a non-technical but lung-burning scramble at altitude — the section where trekking poles and a slow, steady pace pay off most.
Desolation Wilderness permit
Mount Tallac sits inside the Desolation Wilderness, which requires a permit year-round. Day hikers self-issue for free at the trailhead kiosk; overnight campers reserve in advance, with a quota system in force May through October to protect the alpine basins.
Trailhead & Baldwin Beach
The Tallac Trailhead lot sits about a mile off Highway 89, across from the entrance to Baldwin Beach — so a dawn summit and an afternoon swim on the south shore's warmest sand pair naturally. The lot fills by 7–8 AM on summer weekends.
Summer wildflowers & alpine meadows
Through June and July the lower meadows and lake basins bloom with lupine, mule's ears, and paintbrush, while snowmelt keeps the cross-shaped snowfield visible near the summit. Peak bloom follows the receding snowline up the mountain.

Open hours

The trail is open year-round but snow-free and best from May through October; roads to the trailhead are subject to seasonal closure. A wilderness permit is required year-round — day hikers self-issue at the trailhead, and a quota system applies May through October. Start at dawn: the trailhead lot off Highway 89 (across from Baldwin Beach) fills by 7–8 AM on summer weekends, and afternoon thunderstorms build over the exposed summit.

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Note · Allow 6–8 hours round-trip. Be off the exposed upper ridge before midday lightning; carry plenty of water — there is none reliably available above Cathedral Lake.

Ticket pricing

Per-person admission. Buy in advance to skip the gate line.

Day-hike wilderness permit (self-issue)FreeFree at the trailhead self-service kiosk
Overnight permit — 1 night$5Per person; reserve in advance, May–October quota
Overnight permit — 2+ nights$10Per person; Desolation Wilderness camping

Day hikers may pick up the free permit at the self-service area; overnight campers must obtain a permit in advance through Recreation.gov. No on-site facilities, water, or rentals — pack water, layers, sun protection, and a map. Dogs welcome on leash.

Permit & trail info

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