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United States

California

El Dorado County

Gilmore Lake and Mount Tallac loop — Desolation Wilderness

Routes

Hiking trails & Routes

United States

California

El Dorado County

Gilmore Lake and Mount Tallac loop — Desolation Wilderness

Hard

5.0

(3)

hikers

Gilmore Lake and Mount Tallac loop — Desolation Wilderness

05:28

15.2km

920m

Hiking

Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.

Last updated: June 8, 2024

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Tips

Your route passes through protected areas

Please check local regulations for:

Desolation Wilderness

Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

11 m

Lilly Lake

Highlight • Lake

Hidden and untouched alpine lake nestled near Glen Alpine Waterfall and Fallen Leaf Lake. Great place to stop and take a break.

Tip by

180 m

Mount Tallac Trailhead Via Glen Alpine

Highlight • Trail

At the end of the parking lot adjacent to Lily Lake, you will see an unmarked stone path. Here you can take a left to reach Mount Tallac from Glen Alpine. The path is well marked and has great views.

Tip by

3.56 km

Mount Tallac Trail Junction

Highlight • Trail

At the trail junction, the path diverges into two options. You can either go towards Mount Tallac and Gilmore Lake or take the path to Fallen Leaf Lake.

Tip by

5.60 km

Mount Tallac Summit

Highlight • Summit

Mount Tallac, standing at 9,735 feet, is a stunning peak located just three miles from Lake Tahoe's edge. It offers some of the best views of the Tahoe Basin, thanks …

Tip by

8.41 km

Gilmore Lake

Highlight • Lake

Serene backcountry lake nestled in dense forest. It's a paradise for fishing lake trout. The lake has numerous camping spots and a beautiful shoreline.

Tip by

8.64 km

Gilmore Lake (junction)

Highlight • Lake

Leave the PCT at this junction to pay beautiful Gilmore Lake a visit. There are plenty of great campsites around the lake.

Tip by

11.0 km

Granite Slabs

Highlight • Natural Monument

Turn the corner and be awed by massive granite slabs cutting into the cliff. These impressive rock formations add the uniqueness of the landscape.

Tip by

13.2 km

Glen Alpine Spring

Highlight • Natural Monument

A well-preserved landmark and historic spring that was used over 150 years ago at the 19th-century Glen Alpine Resort. It is one of several points of interest on the trail.

Tip by

13.4 km

Glen Alpine Barn

Highlight • Historical Site

The Historic Glen Alpine Barn is an old structure on the Glen Alpine Trail, part of the former Glen Alpine Springs Resort established in the 1880s. It now serves as a national historic landmark.

Tip by

14.0 km

Upper Glen Alpine Falls

Highlight • Waterfall

Upper Glen Alpine Falls, also known as Modjeska Falls, is situated approximately one mile upstream from Lily Lake and near the entrance to Desolation Wilderness. This waterfall stands 30 feet …

Tip by

15.2 km

End point

Parking

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

13.2 km

1.94 km

Surfaces

15.0 km

107 m

< 100 m

Elevation

Highest point (2,920 m)

Lowest point (1,990 m)

Weather

Today

Friday 12 December

13°C

-3°C

0 %

If you start your activity now...

Max wind speed: 6.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

This route was planned by komoot.

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Gilmore Lake and Mount Tallac loop — Desolation Wilderness

Lilly Lake

Mount Tallac Trailhead Via Glen Alpine

Mount Tallac Trail Junction

Mount Tallac Summit

Gilmore Lake

Gilmore Lake (junction)

Granite Slabs

Glen Alpine Spring

Glen Alpine Barn

Upper Glen Alpine Falls

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