Echo Peak, Jacks Peak, Dicks Peak, Mount Tallac Loop in Eldorado National Forest, CA

Hike Echo Peak, Jacks Peak, Dicks Peak, Mount Tallac Loop Eldorado National Forest, CA

Class 3 19.2 miles 7300 gain 9-12 hrs Loop Aug 8, 2024
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Echo Peak, Jacks Peak, Dicks Peak, Mount Tallac Loop GPX Track

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I don't understand why I haven't spent more time in the Sierra, and my newfound love for this massive range has grown to the point of obsession. Unable to sit still in one area on my road trip with all the cool places I need to visit bouncing around in my head, I decided to shoot up to South Lake Tahoe for a day in the Desolation Wilderness. The trail system within the Lake Tahoe Basin is extensive and beautiful, and the Desolation Wilderness hosts some of the best and most popular hiking in the area. I planned a big loop that traverses around the perimeter of the basin housing Half Moon Lake to reach a bunch of summits: Echo Peak, Keiths Dome, Cracked Crag, Jacks Peak, Dicks Peak, a couple of unnamed lumps, and Mount Tallac. I was particularly excited to see the famous Lake Aloha along the way. The majority of this hike is on well-maintained trails, but parts require steep off-trail hiking and even some light Class 3 scrambling. I decided to hike this loop to maximize the peaks by starting from the south side of Fallen Leaf Lake at the Glen Alpine Trailhead. A major benefit of coming from this direction is that, at multiple points, I could decide to bail using one of the many trails leading back to the trailhead. The road leading around Fallen Leaf Lake is paved but slow and tedious since it's very narrow and passes next to lakehouses that nearly touch the roadside.

To reach Echo Peak first, I started by briefly following the Lily Lake Trail until I reached a junction with the Tamarack Trail. The Tamarack Trail, though overgrown in parts, ascends steeply through dense vegetation before tackling a steep slope. I enjoyed views back toward Fallen Leaf Lake and Lake Tahoe on the horizon behind me. The trail wove up the slope, offering glimpses of Mount Tallac in the distance, the last peak on my traverse. Once above the slope, the Tamarack Trail ascends through a pleasant meadow and ultimately continues south to connect with the Echo Peak Trail. However, I veered off the Tamarack Trail just past the meadow in order to connect with the Echo Peak Trail more directly, a shortcut through the forest that saved some time. I stuck to the forest to avoid taller grasses, but it was a short and easy off-trail excursion. I reached the Echo Peak Trail and followed it to the north rim of Echo Peak, where it became unmaintained and less-worn. I received my first excellent views of the day from the boulder-topped summit of Echo Peak out toward Mount Tallac and Lake Tahoe.

After descending along the Echo Peak Trail to its junction with the Tamarack Trail, I joined the PCT for a short time. You could just stay along the PCT if the next two peaks don't interest you, but I couldn't pass up Keiths Dome and Cracked Crag, plus they have great views since they're located in the heart of the Deolation Wilderness. Leaving the PCT, I made my way to Keiths Dome via an easy walk with some rocky sections. I could see the traverse to come from Keiths Dome, and it was an easy drop back down to rejoin the PCT. I really enjoyed the forest walking along the PCT on the way toward Lake Aloha. Cracked Crag came into view, a minor summit with steep faces in all directions except via its southwestern ridge. I scrambled up Class 2 boulders to gain this ridge, where a social trail continued on with more light scrambling to the summit. Lake Aloha below me was stunning, a large alpine lake with islands of granite stretching north to south beneath the granite slabby slope of Pyramid Peak.

I backtracked along Cracked Crag's ridge and descended toward Lake Aloha, following the PCT along the lake's north side and savoring the scenery. The trail is constructed to efficiently avoid clusters of boulders and numerous little inlets of the lake but still has excellent viewpoints. Too soon I was on the north side of Lake Aloha and kept right at a junction with the Rubicon Trail, saying goodbye to the unique body of water. My next summit was Jacks Peak, a summit without a trail to reach it from any direction. Normally this peak is accessed via Dicks Peak as an out-and-back, but in order to form a loop, I decided to attempt a way up from the south. I left the PCT to ascend a steep slope toward Jacks Peak, navigating Class 2 talus. A weakness in this steep slope led to a tightly-packed talus basin at the base of Jacks Peak. I hiked through this and gained the peak's east ridge, steeply hiking to its summit.

The traverse to Dicks Peak from Jacks Peak involved one Class 3 move on the way down and plenty of Class 2/2+ on the way up. The descent from Dicks Peak via its east ridge has a clear social trail, though a short section is very loose and steep and certainly dangerous if there are parties below. I rejoined the PCT briefly, leaving it to ascend Peak 9579 via an easy grassy slope. The summit of this unnamed peak offered views of Lake Tahoe and the final stretch to Mount Tallac. At first, the descent slope was easy tundra with some brush I had to dodge, but the ridgeline past here to reach Peak 9376 was an unknown endeavor. It appeared somewhat sketchy on a topo map, but ultimately only required Class 2/2+ scrambling and only for a short time. I reached the minor nubbin of Peak 9579, which had surprisingly nice views, then dropped down to the saddle with Mount Tallac on easy terrain.

Joining the Mount Tallac Trail, I hiked up the tame switchbacks toward the summit, the final few hundred feet a bit rocky. I could trace my whole traverse from here, definitely a solid day that visited some of the best scenery of the Desolation Wilderness and the greater Lake Tahoe region. I backtracked to the Floating Island/Mount Tallac Trail, taking it for a bit until an unmarked junction with a lesser-visited approach for Mount Tallac. This trail is labeled USFS 17E06.1, a pretty unparseable trail name. It will be tempting to stick to the main trail that heads east down to Fallen Leaf Lake, but a slightly fainter trail continues south and almost seems like it's no longer maintained (and it very well might not be). Just after starting along it, the trail becomes fuzzy and might be difficult to follow for a short time before it meanders through a gorgeous meadow with various peaks poking out ahead. It then drops steeply down a gully before starting a long descending traverse along the steep slope on the south side of Mount Tallac. Overall the slope has a steep drop-off on the right, and one section of the trail has been carved into a rock outcropping and is a bit eroded. Some steep, tight switchbacks drop the rest of the way back to the Glen Alpine Trailhead.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Echo Peak
8895 ft
695 rise
2
Keiths Dome
8649 ft
324 rise
3
Cracked Crag
8781 ft
494 rise
4
Jacks Peak
9858 ft
414 rise
5
Dicks Peak
9975 ft
1567 rise
6
Peak 9579
9579 ft
379 rise
7
Peak 9376
9376 ft
136 rise
8
Mount Tallac
9735 ft
695 rise

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I briefly followed the Lily Lake Trail until a junction with the Tamarack Trail.
I briefly followed the Lily Lake Trail until a junction with the Tamarack Trail.
Along the overgrown Tamarack Trail.
Along the overgrown Tamarack Trail.
The Tamarack Trail ascends through the forest before heading up the steep slope seen ahead.
The Tamarack Trail ascends through the forest before heading up the steep slope seen ahead.
View back, Fallen Leaf Lake seen below, Lake Tahoe behind it on the horizon.
View back, Fallen Leaf Lake seen below, Lake Tahoe behind it on the horizon.
Ascending the Tamarack Trail as it weaves up the slope.
Ascending the Tamarack Trail as it weaves up the slope.
Mount Tallac seen poking out left of center on the opposite side of the basin.
Mount Tallac seen poking out left of center on the opposite side of the basin.
Close-up of Mount Tallac and Fallen Leaf Lake. My descent from Mount Tallac uses Trail 17E06.1 beneath the cliffs seen center.
Close-up of Mount Tallac and Fallen Leaf Lake. My descent from Mount Tallac uses Trail 17E06.1 beneath the cliffs seen center.
Ascending the Tamarack Trail.
Ascending the Tamarack Trail.
A nice meadow higher up.
A nice meadow higher up.
I left the Tamarack Trail in order to reach the Echo Peak Trail. The two trails meet farther on, but I was able to cut off significant mileage by heading through the forest. It was easy hiking, but had some high grasses.
I left the Tamarack Trail in order to reach the Echo Peak Trail. The two trails meet farther on, but I was able to cut off significant mileage by heading through the forest. It was easy hiking, but had some high grasses.
Along the Echo Peak Trail.
Along the Echo Peak Trail.
Echo Peak seen ahead. The trail becomes less worn once I reached the rim.
Echo Peak seen ahead. The trail becomes less worn once I reached the rim.
Echo Peak summit, view toward Mount Tallac and Lake Tahoe.
Echo Peak summit, view toward Mount Tallac and Lake Tahoe.
Echo Peak summit, view toward Ralston Peak (left) and Pyramid Peak (right).
Echo Peak summit, view toward Ralston Peak (left) and Pyramid Peak (right).
I descended along the Echo Peak Trail to the junction with the Tamarack Trail.
I descended along the Echo Peak Trail to the junction with the Tamarack Trail.
View back toward Echo Peak (left) and Echo Lake (right) after joining the PCT.
View back toward Echo Peak (left) and Echo Lake (right) after joining the PCT.
I left the PCT to reach Keiths Dome. It was easy walking to this minor summit, with only some rocky sections.
I left the PCT to reach Keiths Dome. It was easy walking to this minor summit, with only some rocky sections.
Keiths Dome summit, Pyramid Peak seen left, Cracked Crag center, Jacks and Dicks Peak top right.
Keiths Dome summit, Pyramid Peak seen left, Cracked Crag center, Jacks and Dicks Peak top right.
Easy forest walk down from Keiths Dome back to the PCT.
Easy forest walk down from Keiths Dome back to the PCT.
Along the PCT, Lake Margery seen right.
Along the PCT, Lake Margery seen right.
Cracked Crag comes into view ahead.
Cracked Crag comes into view ahead.
Class 2 up to a weakness on the east ridge of cracked Crag.
Class 2 up to a weakness on the east ridge of cracked Crag.
Class 2 up the ridge.
Class 2 up the ridge.
Cracked Crag summit, view southeast. Lake Aloha seen right, Echo Peak far left.
Cracked Crag summit, view southeast. Lake Aloha seen right, Echo Peak far left.
Cracked Crag summit with a view of the basin I am going to traverse. Jack Peak and Dicks Peak left, Mount Tallac (my last summit) far right.
Cracked Crag summit with a view of the basin I am going to traverse. Jack Peak and Dicks Peak left, Mount Tallac (my last summit) far right.
Cracked Crag summit, Jacks Peak and Dicks Peak right of center.
Cracked Crag summit, Jacks Peak and Dicks Peak right of center.
I backtracked and descended from Cracked Crag toward Lake Aloha.
I backtracked and descended from Cracked Crag toward Lake Aloha.
Along the PCT on Lake Aloha's north side.
Along the PCT on Lake Aloha's north side.
Image 28 from gallery
The PCT weaves around the lakeside.
The PCT weaves around the lakeside.
View back along the PCT, Lake Aloha on the right.
View back along the PCT, Lake Aloha on the right.
Pyramid Peak and Mount Price seen ahead.
Pyramid Peak and Mount Price seen ahead.
Jacks Peak seen ahead, my next summit.
Jacks Peak seen ahead, my next summit.
Lake Aloha.
Lake Aloha.
Approaching a junction with the Rubicon Trail. Keep right to stay on the PCT.
Approaching a junction with the Rubicon Trail. Keep right to stay on the PCT.
Short descent along the PCT.
Short descent along the PCT.
I left the PCT to head up the slope above in order to reach Jacks Peak.
I left the PCT to head up the slope above in order to reach Jacks Peak.
View back toward Lake Aloha as I head up the slope, Cracked Crag on the left.
View back toward Lake Aloha as I head up the slope, Cracked Crag on the left.
Class 2 talus as I continue up to a weakness above.
Class 2 talus as I continue up to a weakness above.
Another shot back, Heather Lake seen center below.
Another shot back, Heather Lake seen center below.
Wider shot as I reach the weakness at the top of the slope.
Wider shot as I reach the weakness at the top of the slope.
Past the weakness, I continued on Class 2 terrain toward Jacks Peak.
Past the weakness, I continued on Class 2 terrain toward Jacks Peak.
Jacks Peak on the left. I kept right of center to gain its east ridge.
Jacks Peak on the left. I kept right of center to gain its east ridge.
Along Jacks Peak's east ridge to gain the summit.
Along Jacks Peak's east ridge to gain the summit.
Almost on Jacks Peak, view back. Echo Peak seen left, Lake Aloha right.
Almost on Jacks Peak, view back. Echo Peak seen left, Lake Aloha right.
Jacks Peak summit, view northwest.
Jacks Peak summit, view northwest.
Jacks Peak, view toward Dicks Peak (left), Mount Tallac (right), and Half Moon Lake below.
Jacks Peak, view toward Dicks Peak (left), Mount Tallac (right), and Half Moon Lake below.
Traverse to Dicks Peak.
Traverse to Dicks Peak.
Some Class 3 along the traverse.
Some Class 3 along the traverse.
View back toward Jacks Peak as I ascend Dicks Peak.
View back toward Jacks Peak as I ascend Dicks Peak.
Class 2/3 up to Dicks Peak.
Class 2/3 up to Dicks Peak.
Dicks Peak summit, view back toward Jacks Peak.
Dicks Peak summit, view back toward Jacks Peak.
Dicks Peak summit, view northwest.
Dicks Peak summit, view northwest.
Jacks Peak summit, view toward Mount Tallac, Lake Tahoe on the left.
Jacks Peak summit, view toward Mount Tallac, Lake Tahoe on the left.
Class 2/2+ on loose terrain descending from Dicks Peak.
Class 2/2+ on loose terrain descending from Dicks Peak.
View back up at the loose, steep nonsense.
View back up at the loose, steep nonsense.
View back toward Dicks Peak (right) and Jacks Peak (left) after I joined the PCT.
View back toward Dicks Peak (right) and Jacks Peak (left) after I joined the PCT.
I only followed the PCT a short time until leaving it to ascend the easy, grassy slope seen ahead to gain Peak 9579.
I only followed the PCT a short time until leaving it to ascend the easy, grassy slope seen ahead to gain Peak 9579.
Summit of Peak 9579, view north toward Lake Tahoe.
Summit of Peak 9579, view north toward Lake Tahoe.
Peak 9579 view toward Mount Tallac and the last of my traverse to come.
Peak 9579 view toward Mount Tallac and the last of my traverse to come.
Descending from Peak 9579.
Descending from Peak 9579.
View back toward Peak 9579 (right) and Dicks Peak (left).
View back toward Peak 9579 (right) and Dicks Peak (left).
Class 2 traverse to Peak 9376, seen center.
Class 2 traverse to Peak 9376, seen center.
Peak 9376 summit.
Peak 9376 summit.
Peak 9376 was just a minor nubbin, onward to the saddle with Mount Tallac, seen left of center.
Peak 9376 was just a minor nubbin, onward to the saddle with Mount Tallac, seen left of center.
Mount Tallac ahead.
Mount Tallac ahead.
I joined the Mount Tallac Trail.
I joined the Mount Tallac Trail.
View down toward Gilmore Lake on my way up the Mount Tallac Trail.
View down toward Gilmore Lake on my way up the Mount Tallac Trail.
Junction with the Floating Island/Mount Tallac Trail, which I'll return to for my descent.
Junction with the Floating Island/Mount Tallac Trail, which I'll return to for my descent.
Almost to the summit of Mount Tallac.
Almost to the summit of Mount Tallac.
View back along the Mount Tallac Trail.
View back along the Mount Tallac Trail.
Mount Tallac summit, view toward the basin I traversed around.
Mount Tallac summit, view toward the basin I traversed around.
Close-up toward Jacks Peak and Dicks Peak.
Close-up toward Jacks Peak and Dicks Peak.
Maggies Peak in the center, Lake Tahoe on the right.
Maggies Peak in the center, Lake Tahoe on the right.
Descending the Floating Island/Mount Tallac Trail.
Descending the Floating Island/Mount Tallac Trail.
The Floating Island/Mount Tallac Trail is less traveled than other routes up to Mount Tallac, but it has this gorgeous meadow.
The Floating Island/Mount Tallac Trail is less traveled than other routes up to Mount Tallac, but it has this gorgeous meadow.
Descending along the Floating Island/Mount Tallac Trail.
Descending along the Floating Island/Mount Tallac Trail.
Steep descending along the base of a cliff.
Steep descending along the base of a cliff.
View back along the Floating Island/Mount Tallac Trail.
View back along the Floating Island/Mount Tallac Trail.
Floating Island/Mount Tallac Trail descends back to Lily Lake, seen center.
Floating Island/Mount Tallac Trail descends back to Lily Lake, seen center.

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