Day Hike and Wilderness Backpack Destination near Silver Lake and Kirkwood
The Mokelumne Wilderness has some of the best kept secrets in the Sierra Nevada. Granite Lake might be one of these secret places that most travelers of Highway 88 in California miss as they look for recreational hiking and backpacking options near Kirkwood.
Granite Lake is located South of Silver Lake on highway 88, and is a quiet, snow feed lake resting only a few hundred feet above Silver Lake. Its trailhead is located behind Kit Carson Lodge on the South East side of Silver Lake and its a short hike into the Wilderness and Granite Lake.
This is typically a day hike area that includes a continued out and back route to hidden lake a few miles further back and the lake features a shallow shoreline with multiple granite rock outcroppings and is tree lined. (Perfect for hanging a hammock. ) The trail from the parking area is easy to follow until a few hundred yards from the lake and then will seem to disappear in a mound of rocks. (We took the wrong turn the first visit) If you get to a spot that the trail seems to vanish look to the right and over the rock section and the trail picks up again.
Id say follow the Cairns, but if you know me at all I knock these things over in the wilderness, (not my favorite man made eye sores). So trust yourself and take a map if concerned.
While the other hundreds of visitors crowd the shores of Silver Lake and places like the Pot holes, you might very well find yourself in complete solitude ack here at Granit Lake. Enjoy!
Hidden Lake
Hidden lake by the way is a small marshy lake a few miles past granite lake. the trail there is probably the best part of the area. Very tree heavy trail but seasonally wildflowers and fall colors make the trip beautiful. This area seems to seasonal Cattle grazing area as well and Hidden lake is closer to the West shore of Silver Lake with trails to Plasses Resort.
There are several other unnamed lakes on the mountain side all much smaller than Granite and similarly rustic in nature. Alternatively the Silver Lake Camping area and Kit carson Lodge experience would allow you to day hike this beautiful area on your stay rather easily.
How to find the Trailhead
- Off Highway 88 Turn left at Kit Carson Lodge Just East of the Dam crossing. (If traveling from Kirkwood it is approx 5.5 miles to the turn off at silver lake) There will be a small Y in the road; go left. (You will be on a narrow road, bypassing lots of cabins and side roads.) At the next “intersection” go straight and not toward Silver Lake. At the next “intersection” go right, following the sign to Granite Lake. Minkalo Trail sign will be on the left. If parking is full, continue a bit farther for many more spots.
- Minimum elevation was 7,361 feet and maximum was 7,778 feet, with an elevation gain of 528 feet.
- Distance for complete out an d back trip to Hidden Lake was 7.21 miles.
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