At Five Lakes
10/16/2021: It is definitely "up" for about 1.5 mi. but we just took it easy and it was not that difficult. For a very long time we were the only ones on the trail. Started at about 9:45 a.m. Be sure to follow the GPS if you go around the lakes because you can easily get lost in the snow.
Marg’s Notes: It was REALLY windy last night & we didn’t sleep well ☹. Decided to do an easier/shorter hike. Following Google maps, we drove north, then ended up in Truckee! When we arrived at our destination, it was a closed campground! ☹ However, it was the wrong place! Drove on ~10 miles and then were at the trailhead for Five Lakes Trail. It was just north of Alpine Meadows Ski area. I have skied there! Eventho the trail was only 2.5 miles in, the first 1.7 miles were uphill!!! We knew that tho. The elevation was 6500 ft, so lower than we have been. It was not too hard really. We got warm tho. The temp was in the mid 50’s. At the top we walked right under the ski lifts, then continued on into the forest. We started to see patches of snow. The lakes were beautiful! Following Rod’s GPS, we tromped thru snow and over granite to all the lakes! Easy hiking. Climbed out to some outcrops for great views. Back at the first lake we had our lunch on some big rocks. The hike out was easy! All downhill. We saw <10 people. Continued around Lake Tahoe & back to condo for a nap!
Pot pie for dinner.
Rod’s Ramblings from the Trail: It was a good hike. Not too hard but hard enough. Walking around the five lakes (we were the only ones there), we did post-hole (sink into the snow) while trying to find the trail. Didn't really need snowshoes, just a better navigator (that would be me). Cold out there today – mid 40’s most of the hike. Snow all around the lakes. Nice picture opportunities.
At about 1.7 miles in, you come across the Granite Chief Wilderness. And this is where the trail tends to level off and you have about 2.5 miles of just flat to walk around the lakes. We took it easy hiking up and reached the first (not the biggest) lake after about 1 hr. 10 mins. hiking.
I cannot determine that the lakes have individual names, but just “Five Lakes.”