Granite Chief Area: Map

Granite Chief Wilderness is a gemstone over one hundred million years in the making. Examples of almost every geologic event that built the Sierra Nevada can be explored right here -- if you pause to look and learn.

You can travel across Granite Chief in any direction in less than a day, so most don’t stop to spend the night. Don’t make that mistake.

Western States Trail runners (100.2 miles in less than 24 hours), or Tevis Cup Horse and Riders make even a shorter experience out of Granite Chief ( winning times for the 100 miles, less than 15 hours).

If you’re inclined, do those race events too. But take another relaxing trip to enjoy Picayune Valley with its ocean-front property -- rocks from the bottom of the ocean that were here before there was land, let alone California or even the Sierra Nevada. Pause and examine Basque cabins complete with authentic bread ovens, carvings in aspen bark, and petroglyphs in the ancient ocean rock. Native Americans and Basques knew how to enjoy this country and were eager to share their stories. Paper was scarce, though.

Easy access from Squaw and Alpine ski areas make trails radiating from them extremely popular. I confess: one of my favorites is to zip up to the top of Squaw Valley on the gondola and hike into the Wilderness -- soaking up sunshine, fresh air, viewing flowers, even sitting around watching one of the small lakes very-y slowly become a meadow. Then I’ll hike back to Squaw, sit on the deck, enjoy a glass of wine, order dinner, and watch night creep across the Truckee River canyon. Ah wilderness!

For a contrast, head for Diamond Crossing, Mount Mildred, or descend the trail to Hell Hole Reservoir, and you’ll find Wilderness and not many people.

As in all classified Wildernesses, no bikes or motorized contraptions. Picayune and the headwaters of the Middle Fork American lie within French Meadows Game Refuge. To protect fawns, between May 15 to July 15, no dogs or firearms are allowed, period.