Mt Tallac

<-Convict Canyon to Lake Dorothy

Pyramid Peak->

The Hike: The trail quickly climbs to the south and southwest where a few views of Mt. Tallac appear through the trees. Once the trail reaches the top of the morainal ridge (~0.75 miles) views of Fallen Leaf Lake and Lake Tahoe emerge. The trail steadily climbs along the ridge then leaves it for the trees at ~1.1 miles before climbing steeply to the wilderness boundary (~1.6 miles) and the northeastern end of Floating Island Lake shortly after. The USGS topo map indicates than an alternate trail also comes in at Floating Island Lake from the north but we don't remember seeing it. Although no islands currently exist on the lake surface, it received its name in the late 1800s from the existence of some small grass- and shrub-covered natural islands that would periodically form then disappear. From the Sacramento Daily Union on June 15, 1890: "This lake covers an area of about five acres. Floating on its surface is a lawn-covered natural island, some twenty feet in diameter, which floats with such buoyancy as to carry a fishing party of from four to six people, who paddle it about the lake." Other than its interesting name, there's not much else of interest here to keep you. After following the eastern shore to the south, the trail climbs again to the southwest sometimes exposed. The trail then descends to cross Cathedral Creek (~2.2 miles) before intersecting with a trail coming up from Fallen Leaf Lake (~2.25 miles) and resuming the climb toward Cathedral Lake to the south. The northern shore of Cathedral Lake is reached at ~2.4 miles. Similar to Floating Island Lake, Cathedral Lake is a decent place to stop for a rest but not much else. Still, we found many people stopping at each of these lakes. Stone stairs aid in the climb above and west of Cathedral Lake where more views of Lake Tahoe and Fallen Leaf Lake appear. A spring is passed where Trapper's Gentian prospers before the top of a large talus slope is crossed. From here, the trail continues to climb to the west and leaves the trees and bushes behind. Now comes a hot and exposed steep climb up a couple of large switchbacks. The bottom of these switchbacks is reached at ~3.1 miles. At the second switchback (~3.15 miles) a use-trail continues uphill to the northwest. Please ignore this trail and follow the maintained trail to the south where the southern shoulder of Mt Tallac is reached at ~3.25 miles. The view looking back down the valley is perfect with Lake Tahoe and Fallen Leaf Lake in the distance. Continuing to the northwest now, the Crystal Range comes into view over the sage, brush, and paintbrush. The use-trail mentioned earlier is met again at ~3.5 miles. Again, please ignore these 'short-cuts' and stay on the maintained trail to minimize erosional damage. The slope steepens as the trail continues to climb to the northwest and reaches yet another 'short-cut' trail at ~4.0 miles. Turn your attention instead to the beautiful view of the Crystal Range, Lake Aloha, and Susie Lake to the west-southwest. During mid-summer the several small marsh areas are filled with vegetation and wildflowers.