Tahoe National Forest

Recreation Activities: Granite Chief Wilderness

The Wilderness Act of 1964 states that Wilderness is to be "protected and managed so as to preserve its natural conditions and [is an area] which...has outstanding opportunities for solitude or a primitive and unconfined type of recreation...".

In 1984, United States Congress designated the Granite Chief Wilderness Area. The Tahoe National Forest manages this 25,680 acre wilderness which is not as crowded as other nearby wilderness areas.

Elevations: Range from 5000 feet in the valleys to 9000 feet on some peaks. 

Weather:  Summers are typically warm and dry, though night time temperatures can be cold and afternoon thunder showers often build over the mountains.  Snow is possible during any month of the year. 

Be prepared for changeable weather and bring clothing that will keep you warm and dry.

Season:  Deep snow usually makes the Granite Chief inaccessible to hiking until May or early June, though this varies with the snowfall from year to year.  North facing slopes can remain patchy with snow until July.

Hikers are not required to have wilderness permits at this time. Campfires are allowed with a current California campfire permit. Some camping restrictions are in effect in the Five Lakes Basin and along portions of Five Lakes Creek to protect fragile resources.

While permits are not required for travel or overnight stay in Granite Chief Wilderness, some other rules and regulations do apply: 

Permit: California Campfire Permit (for gas stove or wood fire). When wildfire danger is high, you may be restricted from building campfires, using stoves, or smoking.  Check the Fire Restriction Status page for more information.

Group size: 12 persons (day and overnight use)

Stock limits: 12 head of stock per group for either day or overnight use. Stock are prohibited within 600 feet of all wilderness lakes except to pass through the Five Lakes basin on the trail

Restoration Areas

• Five Lakes Basin: Camping, fires and stoves are prohibited within 600 feet of any of the lakes in the Five Lakes Basin (NE corner of wilderness, just above Alpine Meadows.
• Whiskey Creek Structures: Camping, fires and stoves are prohibited within 250 feet of the Whiskey Creek structures (less than one mile southwest of Five Lakes on the Whiskey Creek trail).

Fawning Season Closures:

During fawning season, deer are extremely sensitive to disturbances. Fawns are in their most vulnerable stages and does are stressed from the birthing process.   

From May 15 to July 15 fawning areas in the Granite Chief Wilderness are closed to dogs.  During this time, visitors are also discouraged from travelling in these areas. 

Dogs are prohibited between May 15 and July 15 in these locations:

• Wilderness portion of the French Meadows Game Refuge, except for the area east of the Pacific Crest Trail, and
• Big Springs trail and the portion of Five Lakes creek that parallels the trail (south of the Whiskey Creek structures, basically in the middle of the wilderness).