Mount Tallac

Mount Tallac is a mountain peak southwest of Lake Tahoe, in El Dorado County, California. The peak lies within the Desolation Wilderness in the Eldorado National Forest. It is quite visible from State Routes 89 and 28, and U.S. Route 50. A "cross of snow" is clearly visible on the mountain's face during the winter, spring, and early summer months.

Mount Tallac
Northeast aspect
Highest point
Elevation	9,739 ft (2,968 m) NAVD 88[1]
Prominence	695 ft (212 m)[2]
Parent peak	Dicks Peak (9,974 ft)[3]
Isolation	2.82 mi (4.54 km)[3]
Listing	Tahoe OGUL Star Peak[4] Sierra Peaks Section[5]
Coordinates	38°54′21.5″N 120°05′56.3″W[1]
Geography
Mount Tallac Location in California
Location	El Dorado County, California, U.S.
Parent range	Sierra Nevada
Topo map	USGS Emerald Bay
Climbing
Easiest route	Trail hike, class 1-2[6]

The Aetherius Society considers it to be one of its 19 holy mountains.^[7][8][9]

History

The mountain is shown on maps of the Whitney Survey as Chrystal Peak. In 1877, the Wheeler Survey named the peak "Tallac", after the Washo word "daláʔak", meaning 'big mountain'.^[10]

Access

An estimated 10,000 climb the peak each year via routes approaching the summit from Desolation Wilderness to the west, Fallen Leaf Lake to the East, and access roads from the north.^[11] Wilderness permits are required to hike Mount Tallac. For day hikes, permits are free and self-issued at the trailhead.^[12] There is a quota for overnight hikes on Mount Tallac (and throughout Desolation Wilderness), but there is no quota for day hiking.

Climate

Mount Tallac is located in an alpine climate zone.^[13] Most weather fronts originate in the Pacific Ocean, and travel east toward the Sierra Nevada mountains. As fronts approach, they are forced upward by the peaks (orographic lift), causing them to drop their moisture in the form of rain or snowfall onto the range.

Fallen Leaf Lake and Mt. Tallac

In popular culture

The opening sequence of the TV series Bonanza was filmed at the McFaul Creek Meadow, with Mount Tallac in the background.