Posted 13 days after the fact.

Amazing autumn weather gives us a chance to do this classic hike in the Desolation Wilderness before it’s snowed in. We’re joined by Uri, a visitor from Israel whose good humor and conversation enhances the experience.

We stay in the camper nearby and walk to the trailhead in the morning.

Campsite (and our trailhead)

Mt. Tallac Trailhead

The trail is gravelly and tough on the feet, but passes many scenic lakes.

Up the ridge above Fallen Leaf lake

Cathedral Lake

We encounter one hardy snowdrift before the summit push.

Touch of snow

Summit conditions are sublime, encouraging us to hang out and goof off.

Uri on Mt Tallac

Ann on Mt Tallac

Mt Tallac Headstand

On the way back down Uri suggests we check out the Kokanee salmon run on Taylor creek. This is a great tip. I learn that Kokanee salmon are the same species as Sockeye, but live their lives in landlocked Lake Tahoe instead of the ocean. The Kokanee are not native to the lake, but reports of when they were introduced vary from the 1920’s to 1945.

Spawning Kokanee Salmon