Painted Rock Trail

By connecting to the Pacific Crest Trail along the Sierra Crest, alternative destinations within another day’s hike can be Donner Pass, Squaw Valley, Alpine Meadows, or Barker Pass. You’ll want to arranged transportation at the other end

From the PCT you can drop down the Granite Chief Trail to the Squaw Valley parking lot. Or if you head a little way farther into the Wilderness, you can turn left (east) up the Western States Trail. Continue over the top of the Sierra Crest at the Watson Monument that marks the pass. Drop down through the upper basin of the Squaw Valley Ski Area and you can stop at the bar or restaurant and celebrate a great trip. From there you can hike down the ski area roads or hop the gondola and ride down in style.

One loop opportunity (take topographic map): Leave vehicle(s) at intersection of French Meadows Road #51 and the Soda Springs County Road (see Donner Pass Map). Return via the county road to the trailhead. Turn right (east) and hike up the Painted Rock Trail. At the top of the Pacific Crest, turn right (south) onto the PCT.

If you’re planning to camp and loop back to your vehicle, the best places to overnight are in the headwaters of the Middle Fork American River within the Granite Chief Wilderness. Or with a little more effort you can drop into Needle Lake between Granite Chief Mountain and Lyon Peak.

From Granite Chief Wilderness the easiest return to your vehicle is to follow the Western States Trail from Squaw to Lyons Ridge by heading downriver (west) (see Granite Chief map). Continue down the Western States Trail until it intersects with French Meadow Road #51 in the saddle on Lyon’s Ridge between the North and Middle American Rivers (private land, but trail access permitted). Turn right (north) and return down that road by dropping back into the headwaters of the North Fork American River and to your vehicle (see Granite Chief Map).