Picayune Valley to Granite Chief Summit, Granite Chief Wilderness, California

The trail into Picayune Valley starts at the Talbot Campground by French Meadows Reservoir in the Tahoe National Forest. This is part of the Western States Trail. The trail has some magnificent views of the tall mountains that tower over the valley. Most of the trail is well maintained but there are a few places where fallen trees need to be cut out and encroaching vegetation needs to be whacked back. We started our hike at the Picayune Trailhead at point A. This winds a bit along an old road on privately owned land until the wilderness boundary is reached at point B. A good spot to camp for the first night is at point C. There are great views here, plenty of water, and previously used camp spots to limit your impact. The trail continues all the way through the valley and up a saddle overlooking the Shanks Cove and Big Springs Trails. At point D there is a junction with the Five Lakes Trail. Continue straight here until you reach Whiskey Camp (point E) where an old cabin still exists. This is a nice flat place to camp with plenty of water. You will now be on a part of the Pacific Crest Trail. At point F is a junction with the old portion of the Tevis Cup Trail which you will take later, after you summit Granite Chief. At point G is a junction with a new portion of the Tevis Cup Trail which bypasses the valley accessed via point F. When you reach point H turn left (west) to get to the summit of Granite Chief (point I). After you get your fill at the windy top with its grand view of Tahoe and beyond, head back to point F and follow the Tevis Cup Trail in the valley to another camping spot at J. The Tevis Cup Trail kind of goes through a marsh so you may get a little wet getting to point J or K . K is where the trail begins after crossing the marsh. The Trail eventually climbs up out of the valley to a junction with the new portion of the Tevis Trail at point L. The Tevis will take you out of the wilderness area at point M where an old road begins. Before that you will be treated to great views and perhaps some sooty grouse sightings along the alder forests. You will leave the Tevis Trail at point N and follow the rest of the track log back to point A. In retrospect, your exit from Granite Chief would be roadless if hike downslope from M. Such a hike would have much less road hiking.