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Megan Vic

Hiked to the top of Mt. Tallac the other day with two of my friends! SO BEAUTIFUL. Sweeping views of Lake Tahoe, Emerald Bay, Fallen Leaf Lake, and Desolation Wilderness. Along the way you'll pass by 2 little lakes - perfect to soak your tired body in on the way back down. It was our first time hiking the mountain and it took us 3 hours to get to the top, with an ample amount of stopping, and about 2.5 hours to get back down. The hike starts along a dirt trail and eventually winds over a rocky area. Keep your eyes open to follow the trail - it can get a little confusing at times. I'd recommend leaving early in the morning since it gets hot, and thunderstorms often roll in during the summer afternoons. We met some people who had attempted to summit but had to turn back because of strong hail and wind. Check the weather beforehand! I highly, highly recommend the hike! Bring plenty of water, snacks, and GOOD SHOES. You won't regret this adventure!!

My family and I spent one night in Manarola at the end of June. We headed out at about 8am, intending to hike all the way to Monterroso. The portion from Manarola to Corniglia was well maintained and had gorgeous views of the sea and of Manarola. I recommend heading out early in the morning so you can avoid all the crowds. Unfortunately, my sister hit her head on a tree and got a concussion, so we stopped in Corniglia. After a nice breakfast, we decided to train to the other villages. If you do not want to hike the whole trail, you can always take the train or a boat for certain portions of it. I highly recommend the hike, and I wish we could have done more of it!!

Hiked to the top of East Peak at the end of the day and watched the sun sink beneath the fog. If you go at sunset, definitely bring a jacket because it gets chilly once the sun goes down! On a clear day, you can see a 360 degree view of the Bay Area, including a towering Mt. Diablo and a shimmering San Francisco in the distance. On a foggy day, stand above the clouds and admire the view of an ocean of rolling fog.