Granite Lake from Blue Lake - It’s hard to believe there are 2 Granite Lake hikes within a short distance of each other, and they both leave from other lakes. You leave from the Upper Blue Lake dam. While this is a reservoir, it is very pretty with interesting mountains surrounding it. This is a 4-mile round trip hike with only 550’ elevation gain. The trail is in good condition and this is an easy hike with great views. Within a mile, you enter the Mokelumne Wilderness. A quarter mile past the sign, you reach a very pretty, little pond (shown in slide 10). Don’t stop here but continue another three quarters of a mile to Granite Lake shown in slide 14 and several after that. I recommend continuing on trail toward Grouse Lake for just a short distance for the views in slides 17 – 19. Grouse Lake is another 4 miles and the trail becomes much more difficult.

Trailhead: From the junction of Hwy. 89 and Hwy 88, turn west on 88 and go 2.5 miles to Blue Lake Rd. Turn south and drive 12 miles to the fork at Lower Blue Lake. Turn right and drive 1.5 miles to the dam at Upper Blue Lake. There is a large parking area across from the campground. Go towards the lake and cross a metal bridge and then the dam before turning left onto the trail.