Chickering American River Reserve
Granite Chief & Granite Chief Trail via Pacific Crest Trail
10.4 mi · ▲ 2,868 ft · 4 hr 54 min
Granite Chief & Granite Chief Trail via Pacific Crest Trail is a 10.4-mile out-and-back in Chickering American River Reserve near Alpine Meadows, CA. The route reaches Granite Chief at the turnaround, 5.2 miles in. It climbs 2,868 ft, with sections as steep as 33% grade. It scores 88/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: genuinely wild.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Granite Chief & Granite Chief Trail via Pacific Crest Trail
10.4 mi · ▲ 2,868 ft · 4 hr 54 min
Elevation 6,461–9,004 ft
Out & Back · Chickering American River Reserve
Trailhead: 39.20150, -120.23306
Weather Sep 20: Overcast, high 73°F / low 46° · precip 2% · wind 9 mph · sunrise 6:48 AM · sunset 7:03 PM
- Start at the trailhead, heading W.
- 0.7 miBear right onto Granite Chief Trail, heading NW.
- 2.6 miContinue straight onto Pacific Crest Trail, heading SW.
- 1.5 miTurn right, heading SW.
- 0.4 miReach Granite Chief, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 1.9 miContinue straight onto Granite Chief Trail, heading NE.
- 2.6 miBear left, heading SE.
- 0.7 miArrive back at the trailhead.
Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.
Weather
Sunset
The best sunset spot on this hike is 5.1 mi in (~195 min). Leave by 3:27 PM for the 7:03 PM sunset. Back at your car by 9:23 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.
Other ways to reach this destination
More from this trailhead
- Coldstream Trail & Granite Chief Trail via Pacific Crest Trail 15.4 mi · ▲ 3,982 ft
- Granite Chief Trail 3.5 mi · ▲ 756 ft
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Hikes near Alpine Meadows, California