Secret spot in Desolation Wilderness

South Lake Tahoe, California

Description

Distance: 2 miles roundtripElevation gain: 500 ft +Hidden gem in Desolation WildernessDiverse terrain and sceneryBeautiful views of lakes, forest, mountains, and valleysClose to camping

Park near the trailhead, or across the road at Inspiration Point, Emerald Bay. Starting at the Bayview Trailhead in Desolation Wilderness, you traverse your way up the mountain, leading to fantastic views of Emerald Bay. The hike is a bit steep - you gain 500 ft in elevation within a quarter mile.

After about 1 mile, you'll reach Granite Lake, a beautiful alpine lake at about 7000 ft. You can also hike off-trail - southeast around Granite Lake and over the next mountain ridge - to see fantastic views of Lake Tahoe, Cascade Lake and Fallenleaf Lake.

Download the Outbound mobile app

Find adventures and camping on the go, share photos, use GPX tracks, and download maps for offline use.

Get the app

Features

Rock Climbing

Chillin

Camping

Photography

Snowshoeing

Backpacking

Hiking

Dog Friendly

Easy Parking

Family Friendly

Forest

Lake

Scenic

Secret spot in Desolation Wilderness Reviews

Have you done this adventure? Be the first to leave a review!

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Nearby

Hike to Snow Lake in Desolation Wilderness

This wonderful alpine lake is a relatively short hike in Desolation Wilderness and is a perfect introduction to off trail exploration. This area lacks the crowds that other lakes in Desolation garner because most maps don't show the trail leading to the lake. Although there is a rough trail, the ability to route find, read a topo and hike off trail are required to do this hike. This trail start...

Backpack to Eagle Lake and Dick's Lake

Get ready to get your lake on! This backpacking trip will take you 13+ miles through awesome scenery to several alpine lakes.Starting at the Bayview Campground, off of HWY 89, this hike follows the Granite Lake Trail along a difficult climb. Don't let the climb discourage you! As you climb, the views keep getting better & better. After 1 mile of climbing, you will reach a nice place to rest...

Lower, Middle, and Upper Velma Lakes

The hike starts at Bayview Trailhead (Latitude: 38.938619 | Longitude: -120.14197). A wooden sign points right to "Desolation" and left to Cascade Falls. Follow the sign towards Desolation. The first 3/4 mile is comprised of switch-backs that lead to a high point with a spectacular view of Lake Tahoe. This point is easily reached (without packs), and a draw to the visitors of the campgrounds be...

Cascade Falls

Starting out at the Bayview Trailhead you will make your way out through the campground towards the trail. Once you find the trail it is a simple way to the falls. It starts out as a wide trail and winds through the pine and fir trees. You will come to some stone steps as the trail narrows for the next 3/4 of a mile to the falls. The trail makes its way along the hillside of Cascade Lake with v...

Swim in Granite Lake

Granite Lake is a pristine alpine lake near Lake Tahoe just off the Highway 89 above Emerald Bay. To get there park at the Bayview Campground Trailhead, which can be pretty crowded in peak season so get there early. The trail begins with an split: right takes you into the Desolation Wilderness (and Granite Lake) and left goes to Cascade Falls. Go right and before do be sure to grab a day pass f...

Maggie's Peaks

This hike starts from the Bayviews Campground Trailhead. This day use area is usually pretty crowded so arrive early to get a parking spot. There is parking a quarter of a mile into the campground near the trail head, but if there is no room there is overflow parking just outside of the camping area. The trail starts with an option to go into Desolation Wilderness or Cascade Falls. Take the rig...