01
Best overall pick
Trestle Trail
Grizzly Flats • Converted Rail-Trail Through Mixed Conifer Forest • Local Favorite Close To Town
An easygoing forest hike along an old railroad grade that feels surprisingly tucked away for being so close to Grizzly Flats.
This mellow out-and-back follows a former logging rail line, so the grade stays gentle while you wander through tall pines and firs. It is a solid choice if you want real woods without committing to a big climb or long drive. Go early or late in the day for quieter trail time and better chances of spotting deer along the corridor.
02
Best lakeside loop
Jenkinson Lake Loop Trail (Sly Park)
Sly Park Recreation Area • Lakeside Loop With Rolling Forested Singletrack • Ideal For Families And Casual Walkers
A popular loop that traces the shoreline of Jenkinson Lake, weaving between coves, bridges, and shady forest pockets.
The main loop circles the reservoir with plenty of access points where you can duck down to the water or stop for a snack on the shore. Expect a mix of wide path and narrower singletrack, with enough small ups and downs to feel like a real hike without wearing everyone out. Arrive early on summer weekends, when day-use traffic and paddlecraft renters fill the parking areas quickly.
03
Best high-country views
Shealor Lake Trail
Highway 88 Near Silver Lake • Rocky Alpine Trail To A Granite-Rimmed Lake • Top Choice For Big Scenery In A Half Day
A short but punchy hike that drops over granite slabs to a clear, blue lake ringed by cliffs and open Sierra views.
From the Highway 88 trailhead, the path quickly leaves the road noise and climbs over open rock before descending toward Shealor Lake’s basin. The footing can be rough in places and the return climb is steeper than the mileage suggests, but the mix of granite, scattered pines, and broad vistas makes it feel like classic high Sierra terrain in a compact package. It is a rewarding afternoon outing once the snowline has receded in late spring or early summer.
04
Best swimming-hole hike
The Potholes
Silver Fork American River Corridor • Short, Rocky River Hike To Polished Granite Pools • Go-To Spot On Hot Summer Afternoons
A brief but rugged walk delivers you to a series of carved granite bowls and cascades along the Silver Fork American River.
The trail is short, but it drops over boulders and slick rock, so sturdy shoes matter more than distance here. Once you reach the river, you can wander up and down the granite, hunting for quieter pools away from the main crowd. Water levels, currents, and slippery rock can change quickly, so locals treat this as a wade-and-lounge spot rather than a place for risky jumps.
05
Best quiet backcountry feel
Wrights Lake to Grouse Lake Trail
Wrights Lake / Desolation Wilderness Gateway • High-Country Forest And Meadow Trail To Subalpine Lakes • Best For Solitude And Longer Day Hikes
A more committing route that climbs from Wrights Lake into rockier country dotted with small lakes and open views toward Desolation Wilderness.
Starting near Wrights Lake, this trail quickly feels wilder than its mileage might suggest, with sections of granite, patches of lodgepole forest, and small meadows that hold onto water later into summer. Stronger hikers can push up toward Grouse Lake and nearby basins for a full-day outing that still finishes back at the car. Expect fewer casual visitors here than at the more road-accessible lakes closer to Highway 50, especially on weekdays.