Mt. Ralston Peak, Lake Tahoe

Pull the car up on the North side of highway 50, just opposite the entrance to Camp Sacramento. If you're driving in from the West, the trailhead is located just around a set of uphill bends past the town of Strawberry.

Just 200ft from the trail we reach our first junction. Choose the left-hand direction and you’ll be on the simple out-and-back route.

Alternatively you could choose the right-hand route which heads up the fire trail into the forest and lops a little distance off your journey. On the positive side this route adds some variety to your journey, but on the negative side the trail gets faint at times and getting to the next junction have you scratching your head a little.

Forests of pine gradually recede as the route up the mountain takes you to higher elevations. Soon you will cross the Desolation Wilderness boundary. You'll need a permit (which is free) if you decide to venture into the wilderness and onto the summit.

Around two-thirds of the way up the mountain the evergreens give way almost entirely to open expanses of grasses and granite outcroppings. Occasionally the trail will disappear from view, but this becomes less of an issue at this stage since the summit of the mountain comes into sight.

From here you can view Lovers Leap to the east and Sierra-at-Tahoe ski resort to the south.

You'll know you're close to the summit when you start to navigate your way over large boulders and the wind starts to pick up.

From the top you'll be rewarded with stunning views including views of Desolation Wilderness, Echo Lakes, Mount Tallac, and Lake Tahoe.