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 10:03 pm Date Climbed: Aug 6, 2022
From Granite Chief
Traversed over from Granite Chief. I think I found the easy route up the summit block, but it was loose and sandy. Not exactly what I would consider solid class 3. Maybe I was off route? Descended cross-country to the Tevis Cup trail then back to Squaw area.
colingregory - Aug 6, 2021 9:21 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.
Fairweather - Oct 27, 2015 12:43 am Date Climbed: Jul 22, 2012
From Squaw Valley
Nice day. Didn't have it in me to continue to Lyons.
Solo.
cab - Oct 5, 2015 11:57 am Date Climbed: Oct 3, 2015
From Granite Chief
2nd Peak of the day - Granite Chief, Needle, Lyon, Tinker Knob & Anderson.
Larry Laverty - May 30, 2015 2:40 am Date Climbed: May 29, 2015
Southeast Ridge
From Granite Chief. Circled around climber's left of pinnacle, then up from west ridge. Not a soul seen since passing the emigrant road monument. Patches of snow all along the ridge.
trexkerry - Oct 21, 2013 1:19 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
A Bit - Nov 8, 2009 7:18 pm Date Climbed: Nov 4, 2009
From Granite Chief
A nice traverse from Granite Chief & on the way to Lyons Peak.
BCL - Feb 11, 2008 4:44 am Date Climbed: Feb 10, 2008
From Granite Chief
Traverse from Granite Chief.
derbilly - Aug 21, 2007 9:46 pm Date Climbed: Oct 4, 2003
From Granite Chief
Enjoyable fall hike including Granite Chief, Needle and Lyons.
Bob Burd - Jul 17, 2007 10:58 am Date Climbed: Mar 14, 2004
From Squaw Valley
A winter visit with Matthew to Granite Chief, then on to Needle and Lyon Peaks. Trip Report
McCannster - Jul 17, 2007 1:54 am Date Climbed: Jul 15, 2007
Needle Peak
Walked from Squaw Valley, over Granite Chief, along the ridge to Needle Peak and Lyon Peak by myself. You wouldn't know it from Squaw, but the ridge seems real remote. Good weather, quite windy, nice views. Could see Lassen!
Mike McL - Aug 4, 2024 5:52 pm Date Climbed: Jun 19, 2022
Granite Chief to Needle PeakHiked Granite Chief to Needle Peak, solo. Should have continued on to Lyon but I was short on time
Hiking Metal Maniac - Jan 11, 2024 12:08 am Date Climbed: Aug 3, 2021
Needle PeakParked 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 10:03 pm Date Climbed: Aug 6, 2022
From Granite ChiefTraversed over from Granite Chief. I think I found the easy route up the summit block, but it was loose and sandy. Not exactly what I would consider solid class 3. Maybe I was off route? Descended cross-country to the Tevis Cup trail then back to Squaw area.
colingregory - Aug 6, 2021 9:21 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.
Fairweather - Oct 27, 2015 12:43 am Date Climbed: Jul 22, 2012
From Squaw ValleyNice day. Didn't have it in me to continue to Lyons.
Solo.
cab - Oct 5, 2015 11:57 am Date Climbed: Oct 3, 2015
From Granite Chief2nd Peak of the day - Granite Chief, Needle, Lyon, Tinker Knob & Anderson.
Larry Laverty - May 30, 2015 2:40 am Date Climbed: May 29, 2015
Southeast RidgeFrom Granite Chief. Circled around climber's left of pinnacle, then up from west ridge. Not a soul seen since passing the emigrant road monument. Patches of snow all along the ridge.
trexkerry - Oct 21, 2013 1:19 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
A Bit - Nov 8, 2009 7:18 pm Date Climbed: Nov 4, 2009
From Granite ChiefA nice traverse from Granite Chief & on the way to Lyons Peak.
fedak - Jul 20, 2009 1:38 pm Date Climbed: Jul 20, 2009
Traverse from Granite ChiefHot summer afternoon, with Granite Chief and Lyons
Pics are here.
BCL - Feb 11, 2008 4:44 am Date Climbed: Feb 10, 2008
From Granite ChiefTraverse from Granite Chief.
derbilly - Aug 21, 2007 9:46 pm Date Climbed: Oct 4, 2003
From Granite ChiefEnjoyable fall hike including Granite Chief, Needle and Lyons.
Bob Burd - Jul 17, 2007 10:58 am Date Climbed: Mar 14, 2004
From Squaw ValleyA winter visit with Matthew to Granite Chief, then on to Needle and Lyon Peaks. Trip Report
McCannster - Jul 17, 2007 1:54 am Date Climbed: Jul 15, 2007
Needle PeakWalked from Squaw Valley, over Granite Chief, along the ridge to Needle Peak and Lyon Peak by myself. You wouldn't know it from Squaw, but the ridge seems real remote. Good weather, quite windy, nice views. Could see Lassen!