Granite Chief Wilderness Area is one of lesser known marvels of the Lake Tahoe area. It can be accessed from the Squaw Valley tram or from a county road south of Tahoe City. A section of the Pacific Crest Trail traverses the wilderness area. Unlike Desolation to the south, this wilderness area is not as crowded. The views of Lake Tahoe and the Sierra Nevada are spectacular not to mention the abundant wildflowers in the spring.