Sierra County Nature and Wildlife   Granite Chief Wilderness Information

Grayhorse Valley Trailhead

From Foresthill: proceed east on the Mosquito Ridge Road (Forest Highway #96) for approximately 35 miles to French Meadows Reservoir. Cross the dam and continue on Road 96 for about 3/4 of a mile. Turn right on Forest Road 48, Chipmunk Ridge Road. Go approximately 3.8 miles and turn left on Forest Road 48-14. This will take you into Grayhorse Valley. Go 3.5 miles to the trailhead on the left side of the road. Parking is along the roadside.
Grayhorse Road is generally passable in passenger vehicles, but high clearance is advised because of large drainage dips. Before leaving, check with the Foresthill Ranger Station regarding road conditions.

Tevis Cup Trailhead

From Foresthill: proceed approximately 34 miles east on the Mosquito Ridge Road. Continue beyond the French Meadows Recreation area to Forest Road junction 51. Stay to the right on road 51 and travel approximately 2 miles to road junction 51-12. Turn right at this intersection and travel approximately 1/2 mile to the trailhead parking area (undeveloped). Hike on the road past the green gate, cross the stream and continue on the road for approximately 1 mile to the Granite Chief Trailhead. The road beyond the green gate is on private land. Follow the trail markers and the sign to the trailhead.

From the north Soda Springs: To reach the Tevis Cup Trail from Soda Springs, travel approximately 8 miles south on the Soda Springs Road to road junction #51. Turn left on road #51 and continue approximately 2.5 miles to Red Star Ridge. (This is where the Tevis Cup Trail intersects with the road and the Trail continues west). Continue on the 51 road for approximately 1.3 miles. Turn left and follow the private logging road to the yellow gate. Park here and follow the road approximately 1.6 miles, about half way through this private land. The trail forks to the right to the Wilderness Boundary.
Seasonal Deer Fawning Closures From May 15 to July 15, dogs are prohibited on the Tevis Cup Trail.

Talbot Trailhead

From Foresthill: proceed east on the Mosquito Ridge Road for approximately 35 miles to French Meadows Reservoir. Cross the dam, turn left, and continue for approximately 9 miles to Talbot Trailhead and Campground. The trail passes through 1 mile of logged, private land before reaching the wilderness boundary.
Note: Seasonal Deer Fawning Closure Dogs are prohibited on Western States (Picayune Valley) Trail from May 15 to July 15 to protect mule deer fawns.

Pacific Crest Trailhead

From the north: The Pacific Crest Trail can be accessed from the Granite Chief Trailhead.
From the south Barker Pass: From Truckee, take Highway 89 South to Tahoe City. Continue south on Highway 89 from Tahoe City for another 4.2 miles to Kaspian Picnic Area. Turn west here on Blackwood Canyon Road (also called Bear Pass Road). The road follows Blackwood Creek for 2.3 miles, crosses the creek and then climbs 4.8 miles to Barker Pass. Pavement ends at the summit. The trailhead is 0.3 miles beyond where the pavement ends.

Granite Chief Trailhead

From Truckee: Take Highway 89 south to the Squaw Valley Road. Go 3 miles to the head of the valley and look for the Squaw Valley Fire Station on the right. The Granite Chief Trail begins just behind the Fire Station. Park across the road in the ski area parking lot. Powderhorn Trailhead
From Truckee: Follow the directions for the Pacific Crest Trailhead at Barker Pass. After the pavement ends at the summit of Barker Pass, continue 1.9 miles to the trailhead on the right side of the road. Parking is on the roadside.