Swim in Granite Lake

South Lake Tahoe, California

5.0/5

based on 2 reviews

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Details

Distance

1.25 miles

Elevation Gain

900 ft

Route Type

Out-and-Back

Description

Added by Josiah Roe

Swim in a gorgeous alpine lake with fantastic views of Lake Tahoe and the Desolation Wilderness.

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 for the wilderness area.

The trail begins an immediate and steep climb up an absolutely fantastic overlook above Emerald Bay. Press on for another quarter-mile to reach the lake. There are numerous rocks you can jump off of and, depending on the time of the year, a pretty large waterfall on the SW end of the lake.

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Waterfall

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Cliff Jumping

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Reviews

Emily Grafton

Swim in Granite Lake

08/03/22

Great lake to get away from the more populated spots. It was super quiet and very peaceful. The hike is quite tough though. It's pretty steep.

5.0

Johnny Nicks

Swim in Granite Lake

06/22/20

The hike in was kind of tough, especially since we dragged our kids along. We brought our hammocks, a backpack cooler and some inflatable tubes and spent all day here. It was the perfect way to spend Fathers Day.

5.0

Leave No Trace

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

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Swim in Granite Lake

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Leave No Trace

Nearby

Backpack to Eagle Lake and Dick's Lake

Hike to Snow Lake in Desolation Wilderness

Lower, Middle, and Upper Velma Lakes

Cascade Falls

Maggie's Peaks

Camp at Bayview Campground

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