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Granite & Hidden
Lakes Loop
Tuesday,
October 16, 2012
DIFFICULTY:
Moderate
ELEVATION
GAIN:
700 feet. Since
the inclines are broken up and there is only one steeper section where you will
work up a sweat, the elevation gain feels like only 692 feet.
HIKE
DISTANCE:
approximately 8
miles. Balloon configuration. We hike one mile to the Granite Lake trail junction, then do a 6 mile loop
before returning to the 1 mile trail back to the parking lot.
GENERAL
LOCATION:
Highway 88 at Silver Lake (just prior to the Kirkwood Ski
Resort).
DESCRIPTION: This hike showcases two
scenic lakes – Granite and Hidden --- and skirts the shoreline of a
3rd, the large and scenic Silver Lake,
the picturesque lake highly visible from Highway 88 on the way to Kirkwood.
The initial trail
passes a grove of aspen (potential fall colors) and the tread varies between
decomposed granite, bedrock, and loose rock as it continues south past a shallow
pond and a meadow and over a scenic footbridge spanning a seasonal stream. As
the trail climbs good views are provided of the dark volcanic massif of
Thunder Mountain (see August 30th hike) to the
northeast and deep blue Silver Lake to the northwest.
Shortly
after the junction that begins the loop trail we encounter pretty Granite Lake. Several flat bedrock slabs
surrounding the lake and its shallow water provide perfect swimming conditions,
temperatures permitting. After departing Granite Lake
we enter a forest of pines on a 2 mile trek to Hidden Lake. In route we cross a season
stream. The dark surrounding forest gives Hidden Lake a
more gem-like quality, and the overall setting is more intimate than the open
expanse around Granite Lake.
Departing
the lake we encounter the most challenge elevation gain of 400 feet. Then we
begin a steady 2 mile decent to the Plasse Resort. On last year’s prehike this
trail was chewed up by horses and dirt bikes. About reaching the bottom we
traverse the resort / campground and relocate the trail as it skirts the south
side of Silver
Lake. A steady gradual
climb produces scenic views of Silver Lake before we reach the trail junction
that returns us to the parking lot.
LUNCH: Bring
your lunch. The lunch break is planned for mid hike when we reach Hidden Lake. A snack break is planned at
Granite
Lake.
TRAVEL
TIME
/
DISTANCE /
PARKING:
About 2 1/2 hours -
95 miles each way ($15
donation to driver). A pit stop is planned in route at Placerville. There are no
facilities at the trail head. We pass Kit Carson Lodge less than a mile from
the trailhead but it will be closed this time of year. There is plenty of free
parking at the end of the road at the trailhead. We plan to return home rather
late, making this an all day adventure.
DINNER:
We plan to have
dinner on the way home, most likely in Cameron Park. Options include Papa
Gianni’s or the China City, both at the Cameron Park exit off Rt
50.
SPECIAL
NOTES:
FACILITIES
AVAILABLE: None.
PREPARATIONS
FOR HIKE:
Hiking boots and poles
recommended. Could be cool this time of year. And bring plenty of
water. Also
a snack for Granite Lake and a lunch for Hidden Lake.
IF YOU HAVE ANY HEALTH
ISSUES, PLEASE CONSIDER YOUR CONDITION BEFORE PREPARATION FOR
HIKING AND BRING
ANY POTENTIAL UNIQUE SITUATIONS TO THE ATTENTION OF THE HIKE LEADER.
BRING THE
FOLLOWING:
Bring a copy of your ID
(driver's license), health card, and an emergency contact name and phone number
with you on the hike.
ABOUT YOUR
FOOTWEAR:
Always bring two pairs
of shoes, along with a plastic bag to store your muddy/dusty hiking boots after
the hike. Do not get your driver's car dirty by wearing your dirty boots on the
drive home.
RISKS:
One stream crossing
that could create a challenge based on the water flow at hike time.
.
HIKE LEADER /
SWEEP:
Dennis Ratay /
Margaret Ratay
QUESTIONS:
Call Dennis Ratay
at 543-9935.
MEETING
TIME:
7:15
am at Orchard Creek parking lot (near U.S. mailbox) -- We will leave at
7:30 am.
Driving
directions to Silver Lake and the Granite Lake trailhead
Photos from
prehike
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