Steph's birthday last week. I joined her and friends for a beautiful run/hike. We went about 17 miles in 5 hours. Walking fast on the uphills and otherwise a slow run.

There are so many options in Desolation Wilderness for trail routes. We went over Mt. Tallac from the summer parking lot, down to Gilmore Lake, over Dick's Pass, and out to the Bayview Trailhead.









View to the west from the Summit of Mt. Tallac.


Here's a winter picture from about the same spot, looking at Jack's and Dick's Peak.


Steph and I on the summit of Mt. Tallac. Gilmore Lake and the Crystal Range behind us. Pyramid Peak is on the left.


Some more of our group reaching the top of the climb. The rock on top of Tallac is really cool. Glossy hard, slick black stuff.










Looking at the south side of Dick's Peak on the right and northeast side of Jack's on the left. This cirque is a great ski tour goal if you can time conditions right.


Winter shot of this terrain. Here's a link to one of many ski tours on this messageboard in this area:
http://www.thebackcountry.net/bb/viewtopic.php?t=1237






The girls reach Dick's Pass


Azure Lake is the big guy with the Velma Lakes behind it. Phipps Peak is on the right, with Rubicon and Jake's barely showing on the far right.


North side of Dick's Peak and Dick's Lake.




Not much uphill left en route to the Bayview Trail head. Jake's Peak on the left, Maggies Peak is right of center. We are headed inbetween. You can see Lake Tahoe starting to show.


Interesting looking 2nd and 3rd class scrambling up the north side of the Janine Ridge. There is a fantastic 360 view from the top of this. I've only gone up in the winter.


east side of the Janine Ridge above Azure Lake


Looking north at Eagle Lake and Jake's Peak on the right. The Eagle Lake trailhead at Emerald Bay provides slightly easier and more scenic access to the Dick's Lake - Velma Lakes area. The Bayview Trail however gets a little higher giving you views of Lake Tahoe.


Crag lake today and in the winter






Weekend boating traffic at emerald bay.

_________________
Mike Schwartz
www.thebackcountry.net
mike@thebackcountry.net