April is always a crazy time of year around Tahoe, a time when you can go from blower pow, to wet mank, to beautiful corn all in the same week (just check out the forecast for the week ahead). This past Monday we were in the middle of a nice little corn cycle before things shifted back towards pow, and Jason Smith and I decided to head to Tallac to check out a classic Tahoe ski descent: The Cross.
On the way up, we experienced vast temperature gradients in the snow, with things shifting from cold smoke pow in places and very wet slop in others. Overall, the snow with direct sun exposure proved more consistent than that in the trees, a true indication that corn farmin’ season is upon us. The skiing in The Cross itself was narrow, steep, and a combination of chalk and ice. With the aesthetic look along with the remarkable views and rad terrain of Tallac, I highly recommend it to the backcountry enthusiast!
Skiing Tallac, The Details:
- Approx. Vert: 3,800
- Hours hiking: 3-4
- Approach: 300 yards of street traversal (until the gate is opened)
Below are some of the images captured en route to the top:
