Parked at the ski resort below. Took a meandering, nonsensical ascent up Shirley Canyon, past Shirley Lake, took an optional bushwhack / scramble towards Emigrant Pass. Then up to Granite Chief, along the ridge to Needle Peak. Ran out of time for Lyon Peak, so I plunged down to the Tevis Cup Trail, went back towards the ski resort, and took the aerial tram back down to the parking lot.
birdhead - Aug 7, 2022 9:56 pm Date Climbed: Aug 6, 2022
Granite Chief Trail to PCT
Followed the Granite Chief trail to the PCT and found a good use trail to the summit. Followed the west ridge over to Needle Peak. Descended via the Squaw ski slopes and then down Shirley Canyon. Hit up In-N-Out and Knee Deep in Auburn afterward!
colingregory - Aug 6, 2021 9:20 am Date Climbed: Jul 30, 2021
Dayhike
Last year during fire season we forced a backpack from Donner over Anderson, Tinker Knob, and then Granite Chief on Day 2. From GC, we looked out over the ridge and decided to save the fun traverse for a clearer day. Less than a year later we shamelessly took the tram up to save some climbing and quickly made it back up to Granite Chief for a second time. From here the traverse wasn't as straightforward as expected, but it wasn't technical by any means. Once over at Needle, found the easy class 2/3 way up and finally completed the walk up to Lyon. Instead of going back over the ridge, we dropped down to the trail and would suggest that to anyone thinking about it! The little lightning of the day caused Squaw to close the Tram and we had to jog down to our car. A fun day coming back for skipped peaks.
Scott Fulton - Jul 3, 2021 8:43 pm Date Climbed: Jul 3, 2021
Longer than expected
This hike reminded me of just how huge Squaw Valley is. The only time before this that I had been on the summit was when snowboarding and hiking up to the summit from top of Granite Chief chair. Going up that stretch today was much harder than I remember. I got caught in a lightning storm toward the bottom.
colingregory - Aug 31, 2020 9:21 am Date Climbed: Aug 30, 2020
Backpack
Backpacked from Lake Mary the day before, came over Anderson and Tinker Knob. Did not go for Needle and Lyon as the smoke was getting to us, I guess I'll have to come back here someday.
hgrapid - Dec 17, 2019 12:31 pm Date Climbed: Aug 7, 2008
Hiked up to Granite Chief several times during backpacks to Five Lakes and Whiskey Creek as a teen. Beginning of a lifelong love affair with mountains.
Fairweather - Oct 27, 2015 12:30 am Date Climbed: Sep 10, 2010
From Squaw Valley x2
Hot day, but nice hike.
Solo.
Returned in 2012 and also climbed Needle.
cab - Oct 5, 2015 11:55 am Date Climbed: Oct 3, 2015
From Squaw Valley
First of 5 peaks - Granite Chief, Needle, Lyon, Tinker Knob & Anderson. Pretty grandiose name for such a nondescript peak.
ScottHanson - Aug 30, 2015 6:55 pm Date Climbed: Aug 9, 2015
from Olympic Village trlhd
Day 3 Sierra Challenge alternate peak.
bechtt - Aug 21, 2015 2:49 pm Date Climbed: Aug 12, 2015
Tram then PCT
Cut some distance/gain off using the very expensive and one way tram before heading to Tinker Knob.
davidsanger - Aug 12, 2015 1:22 am Date Climbed: Aug 11, 2015
quick afternoon via tram
After hiking Mt. Davidson and Ophir Hill in Nevada in the morning I stopped at Squaw on the way home for a quick run un Granite Chief. Took the tram and followed ski run roads to col beneath Emigrant to the PCT then across and on up to the summit of Granite Chief. Around 3 hours car to car.
Tuesdays in summer (2015) is discount day for tickets.
Larry Laverty - May 30, 2015 2:49 am Date Climbed: May 29, 2015
East Ridge
A former skier, I enjoyed wandering under and around the lifts. Part of my route was on the trail, part on the straightest line. Loved the view from this highpoint. Then on to Needle Peak and back.
Granite Chief Trail. More scenic than expected. On to Lyon afterward.
seano - May 29, 2014 3:02 pm Date Climbed: May 15, 2014
From Tinker Knob
Followed the PCT part-way, then wandered up the ridge. Kind of disappointing being so close to the ski lifts. Trip report.
trexkerry - Oct 21, 2013 1:17 am Date Climbed: Oct 12, 2013
Granite/Needle/Lyon from Squaw Valley
Fun traverse of Granite Chief, Needle Peak and Lyon Peak from the firehouse trailhead in Squaw Valley. Trip report at http://www.mountainhiker.org/trip_report.aspx?id=107
Mike McL - Aug 7, 2024 8:32 am Date Climbed: Sep 17, 2019
Granite ChiefSolo day hike. Snowy.
Mike McL - Aug 4, 2024 6:34 pm Date Climbed: Sep 20, 2021
Granite ChiefRan/hiked to the summit, solo
Mike McL - Aug 4, 2024 5:51 pm Date Climbed: Jun 19, 2022
Granite Chief to Needle PeakHiked Granite Chief to Needle Peak, solo. Should have continued on to Lyon but IO was short on time
Hiking Metal Maniac - Jan 11, 2024 12:07 am Date Climbed: Aug 3, 2021
Granite ChiefParked at the ski resort below. Took a meandering, nonsensical ascent up Shirley Canyon, past Shirley Lake, took an optional bushwhack / scramble towards Emigrant Pass. Then up to Granite Chief, along the ridge to Needle Peak. Ran out of time for Lyon Peak, so I plunged down to the Tevis Cup Trail, went back towards the ski resort, and took the aerial tram back down to the parking lot.
birdhead - Aug 7, 2022 9:56 pm Date Climbed: Aug 6, 2022
Granite Chief Trail to PCTFollowed the Granite Chief trail to the PCT and found a good use trail to the summit. Followed the west ridge over to Needle Peak. Descended via the Squaw ski slopes and then down Shirley Canyon. Hit up In-N-Out and Knee Deep in Auburn afterward!
colingregory - Aug 6, 2021 9:20 am Date Climbed: Jul 30, 2021
DayhikeLast year during fire season we forced a backpack from Donner over Anderson, Tinker Knob, and then Granite Chief on Day 2. From GC, we looked out over the ridge and decided to save the fun traverse for a clearer day. Less than a year later we shamelessly took the tram up to save some climbing and quickly made it back up to Granite Chief for a second time. From here the traverse wasn't as straightforward as expected, but it wasn't technical by any means. Once over at Needle, found the easy class 2/3 way up and finally completed the walk up to Lyon. Instead of going back over the ridge, we dropped down to the trail and would suggest that to anyone thinking about it! The little lightning of the day caused Squaw to close the Tram and we had to jog down to our car. A fun day coming back for skipped peaks.
Scott Fulton - Jul 3, 2021 8:43 pm Date Climbed: Jul 3, 2021
Longer than expectedThis hike reminded me of just how huge Squaw Valley is. The only time before this that I had been on the summit was when snowboarding and hiking up to the summit from top of Granite Chief chair. Going up that stretch today was much harder than I remember. I got caught in a lightning storm toward the bottom.
colingregory - Aug 31, 2020 9:21 am Date Climbed: Aug 30, 2020
BackpackBackpacked from Lake Mary the day before, came over Anderson and Tinker Knob. Did not go for Needle and Lyon as the smoke was getting to us, I guess I'll have to come back here someday.
hgrapid - Dec 17, 2019 12:31 pm Date Climbed: Aug 7, 2008
Great peakHiked from Squaw. Very pretty hike. Cool area.
ozarkmac - Nov 7, 2015 10:33 am
From SquawHiked up to Granite Chief several times during backpacks to Five Lakes and Whiskey Creek as a teen. Beginning of a lifelong love affair with mountains.
Fairweather - Oct 27, 2015 12:30 am Date Climbed: Sep 10, 2010
From Squaw Valley x2Hot day, but nice hike.
Solo.
Returned in 2012 and also climbed Needle.
cab - Oct 5, 2015 11:55 am Date Climbed: Oct 3, 2015
From Squaw ValleyFirst of 5 peaks - Granite Chief, Needle, Lyon, Tinker Knob & Anderson. Pretty grandiose name for such a nondescript peak.
ScottHanson - Aug 30, 2015 6:55 pm Date Climbed: Aug 9, 2015
from Olympic Village trlhdDay 3 Sierra Challenge alternate peak.
bechtt - Aug 21, 2015 2:49 pm Date Climbed: Aug 12, 2015
Tram then PCTCut some distance/gain off using the very expensive and one way tram before heading to Tinker Knob.
davidsanger - Aug 12, 2015 1:22 am Date Climbed: Aug 11, 2015
quick afternoon via tramAfter hiking Mt. Davidson and Ophir Hill in Nevada in the morning I stopped at Squaw on the way home for a quick run un Granite Chief. Took the tram and followed ski run roads to col beneath Emigrant to the PCT then across and on up to the summit of Granite Chief. Around 3 hours car to car.
Tuesdays in summer (2015) is discount day for tickets.
Larry Laverty - May 30, 2015 2:49 am Date Climbed: May 29, 2015
East RidgeA former skier, I enjoyed wandering under and around the lifts. Part of my route was on the trail, part on the straightest line. Loved the view from this highpoint. Then on to Needle Peak and back.
BCL - Jul 5, 2014 5:25 pm Date Climbed: Jul 1, 2014
Granite Chief TrailGranite Chief Trail. More scenic than expected. On to Lyon afterward.
seano - May 29, 2014 3:02 pm Date Climbed: May 15, 2014
From Tinker KnobFollowed the PCT part-way, then wandered up the ridge. Kind of disappointing being so close to the ski lifts. Trip report.
trexkerry - Oct 21, 2013 1:17 am Date Climbed: Oct 12, 2013
Granite/Needle/Lyon from Squaw ValleyFun traverse of Granite Chief, Needle Peak and Lyon Peak from the firehouse trailhead in Squaw Valley. Trip report at http://www.mountainhiker.org/trip_report.aspx?id=107
wmolland - Sep 17, 2013 11:41 pm Date Climbed: Sep 16, 2013
Along with TinkerA solid dayhike with Tinker Knob from the trailhead in Squaw. Nice views and a good day out.