it got pretty steep there for a bit and I should have doubled back to find the trail again but instead pushed through to cut back on trail. There being the trail to Granite Lake. Snowshoes, GPS are the must after Granite Lakes. Going on a November weekday was incredible. https://www.recreation.gov/permits/233261. If you choose to continue to eagle falls (recommended), you will need to walk about 0.5 miles along the shoulder of Hwy 89 to each your car, but don't worry, there is plenty of room to hike there. There are a few trails and some off-the-beaten-path-routes that offer superb panoramic views of a wide and beautiful region. Toilets. This can barely be summited without snowshoes as of Dec 12, 2020. Yes, the whole pole! the small lake in the middle of the trail looked frozen though or covered in snow. The trail is a steep climb, and offers several beautiful views. Granite constructed three miles of shared use path adjacent to State Route 28 (SR-28) along the shoreline of Lake Tahoe, from the Ponderosa Ranch to Sand Harbor State Park, including six bridges spanning 1,500 feet above tributary creeks, coves, and the lake shoreline. Minus the area from Bayview to Maggie’s, there’s a lot of rocks and steps and stumps. To reach Granite Lake in Desolation Wilderness, start at the Bayview trailhead near Emerald Bay at Lake Tahoe. The Bayview trailhead offers campsites for $15 a night and is managed by the USDA. In a hike of just an hour or so, there's a place at north Tahoe where you can reach a series of five wilderness lakes nestled in granite amid a … Arrived around 9, parking was tight but possible. Granite Lake, Dick's Lake, Velma Lake, and Eagle Lake Loop is a 11.7 mile heavily trafficked loop trail located near South Lake Tahoe, California that features a lake and is rated as moderate. This added about half a mile to the roundtrip hike. Added Maggie’s Peak and was worth the steep climb per another rec.... as well as parked at Eagle Falls (thank you!). My fault for not looking closely at the map, but we very unpleasantly surprised when we realized we’d be playing Frogger with oncoming traffic while trying to get back to our car. She convinced us to walk out in the frozen lake. Directions to the trailhead: Head to the Bayview Trailhead near Emerald Lake. Continuing clockwise, we passed Fontanillis and the Velma Lakes. My wife and I found our limits. Trail icy in patches, clockwise descent is more gradual. Lakes and rock mountains were beautiful with a variety of rocky and woodsy trails. Round-Trip Distance: 8.4 miles Elevation (Start/Destination/Gain): 6,800/8,699/1,899 ft Dates: 4/20/2013, 5/26/2013 Difficulty Rating (1-10): 7 Scenery Rating (1-10): 7 Directions: Emerald Bay is located a few miles north of South Lake Tahoe on Highway 89, also known as Emerald Bay Road. Also, our total mileage was just over 13, rather than the 11.7 posted by AllTrails. (It was freezing!) When the campground is closed for the season, users often park along Route 89 across from the scenic viewpoint, which adds about a half-mile to the trip. The trail is covered by snow. Granite’s (NYSE:GVA) SR-28 Lake Tahoe East Shore Trail (SR-28 Trail) project in Incline Village, Nevada has received the 2020 Construction Risk Partners Build America Award in Construction Management from the Associated General … Great weather, well marked trail, barely any mosquitoes, and incredible views to top it all off. Just after the bridge there is a view point where you can look back to see the entire waterfall. Tucked away in the bay and not visible from this angle is Incline Village, NV. The southern peak of Maggies Peaks stands about 1000 feet above. Incredible views! After hiking down you will arrive at eagle lake, which is a popular day hike destination. Soon you will arrive at the last junction. The Rubicon Trail is considered one of the premier off roading destinations in the US. Few notes on the experience: The first lake you see after Granite is an unnamed little hole, not Dick’s Lake. Went for a dip in Dicks lake! Scenery at the peak could have been better if it weren't so cloudy. The hike itself is beautiful and a great workout without being overly challenging. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. first 1.5mi the ground was packed in so could do it without the snowshoes. The trailhead serves the Granite Lake route and the Cascade Falls trail. Granite Lake reflection. Outside of the quota season, permits can be booked and printed on the day of entry. Backpackers should obtain a permit at the Taylor Creek Visitor Center, $5 a night. Don't be disheartened if the trail is busy however, as the lakes themselves allow for plenty of chances for quiet and solitude. Tough in the snow but worth it. website said they suspended needing a paper one because of covid so should be good. Hiked Dec 22, 2020. Although there's no formal trail leading to the top, the view is spectacular and one of the finest in Lake Tahoe. Sadly, many visitors don't venture beyond Granite, but a bit more effort will reveal infinitely more and a capstone view. Long hike, it views are stunning! Would have been an amazing hike if not for the smog from the fires but would definitely do again! Soon you will pass by the side of Upper Velma Lake. The trail is public, but Cascade Lake itself is a private lake. There are plenty of more or less secluded spots to take a rest on the lake coast. The joint Tahoe Rim Trail/ Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail heads north from Echo Lakes across a rugged wilderness of glacial moraines and smooth granite ridges. It’s a much quicker pitstop. Granite Lake and Maggie’s Peaks. 1. The round-trip to the falls is not in Desolation Wilderness, so no permit is needed. Be careful about parking, they tow cars left and right. The climb was mostly on or near the trail. It got super cold and windy at the top, make sure you dress appropriately and definitely need snowshoes! Granite Lake Trail—up to the junction with Maggie's Peak Summit Spur—is steep yet entirely doable. Jun 22, 2017 - The Granite Lake hike is the shortest excursion into Desolation Wilderness from the Bayview Trail, and offers some amazing views of Lake Tahoe. The lake is ringed by forest pretty much all the way around. The trail is very straight forward up to the lake however there are numerous paths leading up to the top. Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit Forest Supervisor's Office 35 College Drive South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150 Voice: (530) 543-2600 TTY: (530) 543-0956 Hours: Mon thru Fri 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Stay Connected. This 4 to 5 mile long strenuous trail should only be attempted by experienced climbers, although you could always turn back once you make it up the gentle climb 1 mile to the cirque-bound Granite Lake. You can go either way because you will eventually loop back to this point. Take time to rest at Granite Lake or take a quick swim before heading up. All in all it was just shy of 14 miles on my Strava and took most of the day. You will walk by this lake near the end of the hike. Day 1/2: Ascend into forests of pine, aspen and red fir. Tahoe Flume Trail, Lake Tahoe, NV. Just head uphill. This is the Granite Lake in the Mokelumne Wilderness, not the one in Desolation Wilderness. The Tahoe Rim Trail circles all of Lake Tahoe, so there are plenty of opportunities to hike sections with varying types of terrain and views. If you go too fast, you might slide and no telling what's underneath that snow. Elevation gain and length made this a very challenging hike for us. 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