After a couple of nice days kayaking on the lake I decided it was time to get in a good hike. It has been pretty warm in Tahoe this past week, but today cooler air was forecast so it seemed like the perfect day for a hike.
I decided to hike up the Granite Chief trail that begins at the base of Squaw Valley (near the ropes course adjacent to the Olympic Village Inn). There is a new forest service sign proclaiming the trailhead. I discovered that someone, I presume the forest service, has been doing a lot of trail improvement to this hiking trail. In the past I have lost the trail on occasion, but today I found it easy to follow and re-routed in sections to make it a more pleasant walking experience. The hike ends where the Granite Chief Trail intersects the Pacific Crest Trail which is about 4 miles form the beginning of the hike. Some of the steeper sections of the trail where one would encounter loose soil and rocks have been eliminated in exchange for less steep switch backs which are easier to hike and environmentally an improvement. A good portion of the trail is exposed to the sun, but there are forested sections that offer shade. The route to the ridge where it meets the PCT is approximately 4 miles. There are still wildflowers blooming, but they are beginning to disappear at the lower elevations.
Upon reaching the junction with the PCT I turned south on the PCT and headed to ridge top near the top of the Granite Chief Ski Lift. This is approximately 1.5 miles. There are two options for heading down into Squaw Valley. One is to walk up to the top of the Emigrant Lift and the other is to follow a trail that is a little sketchy.
The trail is narrow and traverses some steeper terrain under the Attic and Funnel Ski Trails. I took the more narrow trail which ends at the top of Big Blue Chair. Although there are some short steep sections with loose rocks, it eliminates some uphill climbing and shortens the route to the Tram. I found the hillsides, in and below the Attic and Funnel, to be filled with wildflowers at there peak including some of my favorite Primroses.
A field of Indian Paintbrush was blooming on my way to the top of the Tram which I rode down in an effort to save my aging knees.
Enjoy your day,
Andy
Thank you for this hike report Andy. I have never done that trail and was looking for a different trail to do next week. I will give this one a try. You say it as well marked? I will probably be hiking solo – have not hiked at squaw Valley up this trail.
Nice pictures. Trevor hiked Shirley Canyon last week with another family and wanted to to Granite Chief around now. He was thinking of calling you…but was afraid you might “smoke him”!! …and he’s been working out and up to 160 lbs now. Silly young man…