Talapus Lake trailhead is is off of exit 45, go left under the freeway at the split go right on Forest Road 9030. Talapus Lake is a short two mile hike. When you come to the Alpine Lake Wilderness sign, just before you cross Talapus Creek there is a sign, pointing to the right stating "Main Trail", if you cut left here you go along southwest side of the lake, where there are some campground sites I have never seen anyone at. This puts you on the talus slope below Bandera Mountain. If you stay left of the Island Lake creek outlet you will climb up the talus to a bowl below Island Lake. From here you scramble to the top of the ridge and your at Island Lake, a 2.4 mile hike that took me (with breaks) around 2 hours. The alternative route around Ollalie Lake and the ridge below Pratt Mountain will take 4.7 miles.
Talapus to Olallie Lake
Talapus to Island Lake and loop back to Talapus
