Cascade Creek Falls – Lake Tahoe Hiking Trails

The Cascade Creek Falls hike is a regional favorite, as it’s almost instant gratification. The easy 1 mile trail through a stretch of spruce and ponderosa forest gains about 110 feet in elevation before opening up into a granite hillside and revealing a stunning sight – mountains above, Cascade Lake below, and the jaw dropping 200 foot falls. The falls are impressive, and Cascade Lake, a glacially carved lake 350 feet down below the ridge surrounded by forest, is absolutely beautiful as well. As if that wasn’t enough, the waterfall is surrounded by abundant wildflowers, ferns, cedar and cottonwood, and there are small gentle water wading pools near the falls the kids won’t be able to resist dipping their toes in. 

To the north and east is a sweeping view of Lake Tahoe 600 feet below. The mixture of the smell of the trees and the rushing sound of water tumbling peacefully down granite is quite an experience. If you continue on along the trail, you’ll reach the top of Cascade Creek Falls, and the path turns west and climbs along the fast-flowing creek where it reaches an incredible view of the face of Mt. Tallac. After crossing a small log bridge, you’ll be able to explore the basin and further explore and admire the undisturbed beauty and view of Tallac before turning around on this out-and-back trail. If you’re hiking with children, you could opt to turn around at the falls after lunch at one of the superb picnic spots.

This hike is at its full beauty in springtime when the runoff from the snow melt is at its highest. It’s also best to witness the inspirational falls in the morning, as shadow will start to overtake the waterfall as the afternoon wears on. This popular hike is also likely to be less crowded in the morning. Wilderness permits are required, and are available via self-issue at the trailhead. To get to parking space, take Highway 89 north from South Lake Tahoe approximately 8 miles to the Bayview Campground across from Inspiration Point. Parking is at the far end of the campground.

Tahoe Desolation Wilderness Cascade Falls

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Glen Alpine Trail – Lake Tahoe Hiking Trails

 From this trailhead, you have quite a few different options, ranging from moderate to strenuous. This is a memorable journey into the heart of Desolation Wilderness, with views along the way of mountain lakes, wildflowers, and vistas of Lake Tahoe and high Sierra peaks. For the shortest option, try the mellow 2 mile hike to tranquil Grass Lake. This is a good hike if you’re going with children, as the trail is suitable for all. Dogs are also allowed off-leash and in the lake. It’s liquid beauty galore if you take the spur to Lake Aloha, going past a cascading waterfall, a beautiful open meadow, and three alpine lakes. Basking in the shadow of Jack’s Peak, Lake Aloha is one of the prettiest alpine lakes in Tahoe, large, dotted with islands, and surrounded by stunning, explorable shoreline. If you don’t want to go the 6 miles to Aloha, it’s 4 miles to Susie Lake and 5 miles to Heather.

 A third trail heads to lodgepole-rimmed Gilmore Lake and you can continue onto Dick’s Pass or Mt. Tallac beyond. You can also break off at Half Moon (4.5 miles) or Alta Morris (5.5 miles). If you do choose to go up Mt. Tallac, the Glen Alpine Trail provides a more moderate approach the 6 miles to the fantastic sights atop the summit. No matter your hike, the Glen Alpine Trail is truly nature at its finest – scenic, secluded, and breathtaking without taking too much of your breath away literally. John Muir was just one of the many hikers who found the trail unforgettable, writing that it, “seems to me one of the most delightful places in all the famous Tahoe region. From no other valley, as far as I know, may excursions be made in a single day to so many peaks, wild gardens, glacier lakes, glacier meadows, and Alpine groves, cascades, etc.”

 Don’t forget the hiking essentials – water, sunscreen, bug repellant and food (especially if you’re going all the way up to the summit of Mt. Tallac). To get to the trailhead, take Highway 89 north to Fallen Leaf Lake Road, continue until you see the Glen Alpine Trailhead sign, and turn left. Parking is across from Lilly Lake, and the required wilderness permit is available at the trailhead.

Mt. Tallac – Lake Tahoe Hiking Trails

For serious hikers, Mt. Tallac is a formidable and adventurous trek up 3,200 feet to the summit. For a shorter day, you can shorten the hike to Floating Island Lake 1.6 miles along, or Cathedral Lake 2.3 miles up. Trails are forested up until the tree line cuts away, dispersed with meadows of wildflowers, abundantly flowing creeks, pristine lakes and incomparable views. The summit is a full five miles up the rugged mountain terrain. The trail to Floating Island Lake is well-used and well-marked. It climbs up a forested slope gradually before joining the ridge above Fallen Leaf Lake.

There the trail descends into gorgeous Floating Island Lake, where you can stop, catch your breath, swim, or have a bite to eat before leaving the trees behind to head up to Cathedral Lake, which affords the beautiful backdrop of Cathedral Peak. After Cathedral comes the hotter trip up to the summit, but the views make the burning in your legs almost obsolete. Along the switchback up to the summit, you’ll get spectacular views of Lake Tahoe, Fallen Leaf Lake, and the Carson Range. The views open to the west and you get the snowcapped peaks of the Crystal Range and distinctive Pyramid Peak.

0.2 miles of steep climbing brings you to the summit, a sight you can’t afford to miss. Standing on top of the world (or at least on top of Tahoe) there are dramatic views in every direction. The incredibly blue waters of Lake Tahoe provide cool contrast to the jagged peaks – from Freel Peak in the east to Mts. Agassiz and Price in the west. At 9,735 feet, it’s an almost religious experience to look out over the panorama.

Many hikers eat lunch at the top of the summit. Bring plenty of water, food, sunscreen, and bug repellent. To the summit and back is about a six hour hike with an average grade of around 12%. The trailhead is approximately 3.5 miles north of South Lake Tahoe on Highway 89. Look for the Mt. Tallac Trailhead sign directly across from the Baldwin Beach entrance, turn left down the dirt road, and continue to the Trailhead parking. A permit is required to venture into Desolation Wilderness, and they are available at the trailhead.

Angora Lakes – Lake Tahoe Hiking Trails

Up an easy 1/2 mile hill climb, you’ll find Angora Lake, a one-of-a-kind Tahoe gem tucked into a glacially carved bowl with two cliffs framing it. At an elevation of 7,450 feet, you’ll have a hard time finding this anywhere else. The trail up is usually pretty easily managed by small children, and not too steep. At the first of the two lakes, you’ll find absolutely unmatched, pristine beauty and an amazing place to swim or picnic. Older kids will have fun jumping off the cliffs and into the lake. A sandy strip of beach at the north end of the lake provides an excellent spot for soaking up the sun. There’s even a small store open in the summer that sells ice cream, sandwiches, treats, and famous fresh squeezed lemonade that’s worth the trip up on its own.

The Angora Lakes Resort operates at the second lake, offering rental rowboats, kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards. The upper lake is backed by a stunning wall of granite dotted with yellow bushes which reaches up to Angora Peak and Echo Peak. Whether or not you take pictures, you’ll never forget this view. Also at the second lake is a gift shop offering unusual items and books. It’s best to arrive early, as it can get crowded during the summer months. Even so, Angora Lakes are a great place for family time. Dogs are welcome on-leash, but are not allowed in the lake. The devastation of the Angora Fire of 2007 makes itself known on the drive up to the parking lot, but luckily, the beauty of the area around the lakes remains unmarred.

To get to Angora Lakes, take Highway 89 north 3 miles to Fallen Leaf Lake Road and turn left at the first paved road. Continue to Forest Service Road 12N14 (watch for bicyclists), turn right and continue past Angora Lookout to the parking lot at road’s end. Angora Lakes Resort is open mid-June through mid-September. To contact the resort, call (530) 541-2092 or visit their website – Angora Lakes Resort – for further information and cabin rentals at the lake.

If you’d like a more strenuous hike that leads to Angora Lakes as well, check out Clark Trail.

Hike to Angora Lake

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Moraine Trail – Lake Tahoe Hiking Trails

Moraine Trail along Fallen Leaf Lake is a great easy, minimal elevation hike that would be ideal for families with children. Great for bird-watching or simply enjoying the day, the out-and-back 2.5 mile trail should take you about an hour and a half total. At three miles long, scenic Fallen Leaf Lake is the second largest alpine lake in the Tahoe Basin. The relatively flat trail crosses the dam at Fallen Leaf and goes along the West Shore to Sawmill Cove, where a group of rock chimneys remain to pay homage to the houses that used to be there. Beautiful firs and pines provide plentiful shade, and the lake sparkles enticingly through the trees.

Fallen Leaf is an excellent place to swim or fish. The northern end of the lake is great for swimming, so don’t forget your trunks. The lake has deep waters and the same species of game fish that dwell in Lake Tahoe, including mackinaw trout, browns, rainbows, and kokanee salmon. It’s also a fun spot for a midday picnic. There are some little alcoves that would supply a superb area for this. You can let Rover splash around all you want, as dogs are allowed off-leash. The trail is also open to bikers and horseback riders. Be sure to pack the bug spray, as the shade is a favorite of mosquitoes as well. The lake was created by glaciers, and evidence of this can be seen in the northern end of the lake, where you can view a terminal moraine (This is also how the trail was named). Besides the unparalleled views of Fallen Leaf, Moraine Trail offers views of majestic Cathedral Peak and Mount Tallac, which surround the lake. At the south end of the lake, the waters are fed by Glen Alpine Creek, and the flow is prime in spring until it tapers off in late summer.

To get to the parking lot, take Highway 89 north to Fallen Leaf Road and continue approximately 2/3 of a mile to Fallen Leaf Campground. Drive through the campground and park just before campsite #75 on the right; there’s no fee for day use. The trailhead sign is near the parking area. The best time to do this hike is in summer, when the waters are warm enough for swimming and the fish are biting.