The Five Lakes Trail front-loads its effort: nearly all of the thousand-foot climb comes in the first mile and a half of open, sun-exposed switchbacks with ever-improving views of the Alpine Meadows ski slopes and valley. Then the grade relaxes, the forest closes in, and you cross into Granite Chief Wilderness.
The reward is a cluster of five small alpine lakes set in granite bowls — the largest is the local swimming hole of choice on a hot afternoon. Go on a weekday morning if you can: this is one of the North Shore area's best-loved hikes, and the roadside trailhead parking shows it.
| Distance | ~5 miles round trip |
|---|---|
| Elevation gain | ~1,100 ft, almost all in the first 1.5 miles |
| Difficulty | Moderate — the opening switchbacks are exposed and warm by midday |
| Trailhead | Alpine Meadows Road (near Deer Park Drive), ~2 miles up from CA-89 between Tahoe City and Olympic Valley |
| Fee / permits | Free; no permit needed for day hiking |
| Dogs | Allowed on leash — carry extra water for them on the climb |
| Season | Roughly June through October; snow lingers on the upper trail into early summer |