Desolation Wilderness - Sept 2026: Mount Tallac, Lake Aloha, and more!

Starting by Fallen Leaf Lake, this run took me deep into the Desolation Wilderness — one of the most spectacular and remote-feeling corners of the Lake Tahoe Basin. And for this one, I had a perfect partner: my good friend Abe Groettum, fellow ultrarunner and someone who "gets it". There's something about sharing miles with someone who matches my appreciation for wild places and has the fitness to move through them. The conversation flows, the hard moments get lighter, and the beautiful ones catch us saying "wow" together. Trails covered: Mt. Tallac Trail → Pacific Crest Trail → Margery Trail → Grass Lake Trail → Glen Alpine Trail. Along the way we ticked off lake after lake: Floating Island Lake, Cathedral Lake, Gilmore Lake, Susie Lake, Heather Lake, Lake Aloha, Lake Margery, and Lake Lucille. Glen Alpine Creek had all sorts of beautiful foliage around it. The last 3 miles traced the western shore of Fallen Leaf Lake. 20+ miles. 5.5 hours. 3,360 calories. One GoPro with a single battery. Here's the video. 🏔️ Mt. Tallac | 💧 Lake Aloha | 🌲 Desolation Wilderness | 🏃 Trail Running Tahoe