ActivitiesHikingFive Lakes Trailhead
Five Lakes Trailhead
North Shore, hiking, moderate
4.6-mile round trip to a stunning basin holding five alpine lakes inside the Granite Chief Wilderness. Less crowded than Desolation Wilderness but equally beautiful. The basin opens up dramatically at the top of the climb.
In short: Five Lakes Trailhead is a moderate hike on Lake Tahoe's North Shore: 4.6 mi round trip, 1,000 ft of elevation gain, a high point of 7,400 ft. The season is Jun – Oct, no permit is needed, dogs are allowed.
- Distance, round trip
- 4.6 mi
- Elevation gain
- 1,000 ft
- High point
- 7,400 ft
- Difficulty
- Moderate
Where it is
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Trail details
- Five alpine lakes basin
- Granite Chief Wilderness
- Less crowded than Desolation
- Quick alpine access
- Trail
- Five Lakes Trail — Granite Chief Wilderness
- Season
- Jun – Oct
- Permit
- None needed
- Parking
- Free, Alpine Meadows Rd off Hwy 89
- Dogs
- Allowed
Go with a guide. Walk the basin with a local guide, on a trail matched to your group and the season.
Guided hikeConditions today
- Right now
- 72°F, Sunny
- Today
- High 72°, low 48°
- Wind
- 8 mph
- Campfires
- Metal rings only
- TomorrowPartly Cloudy, 10% chance of rain68° 45°
- ThuMostly Clear, 5% chance of rain74° 50°
- FriPM Storms, 75% chance of rain61° 44°
Know before you go
- Permits
- Desolation Wilderness needs a permit for both day hikes and overnight trips. Most other trails in the basin need none.
- Parking
- Lots at Eagle Falls, D.L. Bliss and other popular trailheads fill by 9am on summer weekends. Start early or go midweek.
- Altitude
- Trailheads start around 6,300 feet and the highest summits top 10,000. Carry more water than you would at sea level and take the first day easy.
- Weather
- Summer afternoons can bring thunderstorms. Plan to be off exposed ridges and summits by early afternoon.
More hiking within 5 miles
- Ward Creek / Stanford Rock Trailhead4.1 mi, moderate
- Tahoe City TRT Trailhead4.5 mi, moderate
- Burton Creek MTB Trailhead4.8 mi, easy
Nearest campgrounds
- Tahoe State Recreation Area4.5 mi, 23 sites
- Lake Forest Campground5.0 mi, 20 sites
- Kaspian Campground6.5 mi, 10 sites