Donner Summit Trailhead:

Interstate-80 can whisk you into the high-country along the Sierra Crest with an ease that is hard to pass up. Don’t. Heading north or south from the pass takes you almost as quickly into back-country that belies the ease of access. Popular, certainly. But still less than Lakes Basin or Grouse Ridge.

Here it’s scrambling up the family-friendly peaks that are the attraction. Yet, Warren and, my favorite, Paradise Lakes are as inspiring as any lake in other areas. Their remote locations should keep them that way.