Swim in Granite Lake
1.25 Miles
900 Feet
Photography, Swimming, Hiking
Beginner
Summer, Autumn
Out-and-Back
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.
Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations.
