Swim in Granite Lake
Details
Distance
1.25 miles
Elevation Gain
900 ft
Route Type
Out-and-Back
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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Reviews
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Absolutely Gorgeous!
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
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Nearby Adventures
Hike to Cascade Falls, El Dorado National Forest
Hike to Snow Lake in Desolation Wilderness
Hike to the Velma Lakes in Desolation Wilderness
Backpack to Eagle Lake and Dick's Lake
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