The trail to Granite Lake begins at the Bayview Trailhead on the southwestern side of Emerald Bay. Here you have a choice of taking one of two paths. The one to the left will take you to Cascade Falls. Taking the right or northern fork will take you to Granite Lake. Although the trail is only about a mile, it's an extremely tough hike. This trail is **VERY** steep and has many switch-backs to aide the ascent. About half way, there is an area that provides some of the most spectacular and breath-taking views of Emerald Bay and Lake Tahoe in the distance. After that, it's back into the forest until you reach the lake itself. As you can see, the effort renders an enormous payoff. One caution, however, the water has an authentic arctic nature!!!!!