Name: Granite Lake
Rating: 2

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Granite Lake

Lakes

Granite Lake

Recommended by 29 hikers

This Highlight is in a protected area

Please check local regulations for: Desolation Wilderness

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Location: El Dorado County, California, United States

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Best Hikes to Granite Lake

5.0

(6)

hikers

1. Fontanillis Lake loop via Eagle Falls Trail — Eldorado National Forest

18.8km

06:20

780m

Expert hike. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

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Expert

4.9

(24)

150

hikers

2. Granite Lake – Upper Eagle Falls loop from South Lake Tahoe

10.6km

04:04

560m

570m

Intermediate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

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Intermediate

4.8

(10)

135

hikers

3. Granite Lake – Cascade Falls Trailhead loop from South Lake Tahoe

7.82km

03:24

490m

Intermediate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

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Intermediate

Tips

🕊️ 𝑻𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆𝒍𝒆𝒓

December 7, 2016

Granite Lake is a little Tahoe gem located at about 2550 m at the base of Maggies Peaks. The trail is a steep climb, and offers several beautiful views. For the more ambitious, the trail continues steeply up from Granite Lake to the ridge along Maggies Peak. From the top of South Maggies Peak (2639 m) you will be rewarded with a 260 degree views of Tahoe, Cascade, Emerald Bay, and the Desolation Wilderness.
From the Bayview Trailhead (about 2100 m) head northwest from the trailhead sign board. The trail will climb steeply the entire way. You will pass a great viewpoint for views of Emerald Bay before reaching Granite Lake. The trail continues to climb after Granite Lake before reaching the ridge crest giving you a view of Eagle lake off the back side. To summit South Maggies Peak continue on the trail a short 100 yards after reaching the ridge and then turn off trail and scramble up the back side of the peak. There is a faint trail but its hard to find from the trail and can be found for the return trip off the summit.
You can create a loop hike by combining this hike with Eagle Falls and Eagle Lake. Once you reach the ridge just below South Maggies peak. Continue up the trail along the ridge. At the next trail junction turn right onto the Eagle Falls Trail.

A wilderness permit is needed to hike to both Granite Lake and Maggies Peaks. Wilderness permits are available for free at the trailhead.
How to get there:
From South Lake Tahoe: head north on highway 89 for 7.5 miles. Turn left into Bayview Campground opposite Inspiration Point which is the scenic overlook located one mile before you get to Emerald Bay. A wooden sign points right to the trailhead on the backside of the campground.
From Tahoe City: head south on highway 89 for 19.5 miles. Turn right into Bayview Campground opposite Inspiration Point which is the scenic overlook located one mile before you get to Emerald Bay. A wooden sign points right to the trailhead on the backside of the campground.
trailwiki.org/wiki/Granite_Lake_and_Maggies_Peaks

Blandine ❄️🏔️☀️🌺

September 3, 2022

It is possible to stop for a swim in this like, very nice on the way down from Maggie’s peak

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Elevation 2,340 m

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Wednesday 15 October

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Location: El Dorado County, California, United States

Granite Lake

1. Fontanillis Lake loop via Eagle Falls Trail — Eldorado National Forest

2. Granite Lake – Upper Eagle Falls loop from South Lake Tahoe

3. Granite Lake – Cascade Falls Trailhead loop from South Lake Tahoe

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