Twin Peaks from Barker Pass

Near: Tahoe City
Distance: 10 Miles
Elevation: 7,700 to 8,800 feet
Vegetation: Pine Forest
Last Visit: October 2020

From Lake Tahoe, the Twin Peaks are just a pair of inconspicuous rocky lumps on the long ridge line running parallel to the west shore of the lake.  While they're only a couple hundred feet higher than the ridge, the final hundred feet of climb to the west peak is a fairly step ascent of a boulder pyramid overlooking a steep thousand foot drop to the north, making for an unexpectedly dramatic finish.  The summit provides excellent views in all directions with most of Lake Tahoe visible to the east, the Granite Chief Wilderness to the west and the higher peaks of the Desolation Wilderness in view to the south.  If you do take a dog on this hike I strongly recommend bringing a harness with a good hand hold (and be fit to use it on steep, rocky ground) as many dogs will need a lift or two on the final climb.

Otherwise the hike from Barker Pass is smooth and easy with a few good views of Lake Tahoe along the way, although take note there is about 400 feet of back climbing along the route.  If that's too much up and down for you, the hike can be turned into an easy 3-miler with about 500 feet of total climb by stopping at rocky outcropping along the way in.  Note to get the full view from that outcrop will require a bit of scrambling as well.  Once again, bring a harness.

Rules

This hike is mostly in the Granite Chief Wilderness.  Some areas of this wilderness are off limits to dogs for portions of the year, but this hike doesn't enter those areas.  Dispersed camping is allowed without a permit in the Granite Chief Wilderness and there are no permits or fees required for day use.  Dogs may be off leash under voice control. 

Trailhead

A dirt pullout on Barker Pass Road.  Barker Pass Road is very poorly signed from Hwy 89 along the lake.  Look for the sign for Blackwood Creek Canyon.  Follow the road all the way up to the main ridge and continue a quarter mile or so after the pavement ends near the Ellis Peak Trailhead.  There is a pit toilet at the trailhead but no other facilities.  Make sure to keep dogs on leash around the trailhead as this is a popular off-road vehicle area and they may blast through the parking area incautiously. 

Route Notes

The route heads north from the trailhead and quickly gains the main ridge giving some nice views initially of the Granite Chief Wilderness to the west, then of Lake Tahoe to the east.  After crossing the ridge to the east side, the trail continues to climb steadily to a rocky prominence at around 8200 feet.  The trail passes just west of these rocks and then dips down over 400 feet, nearly back to the same elevation as Barker Pass.  Most traffic on the trail seemed unexcited about putting this hill between themselves and the car and ended their hike by scrambling up these rocks to enjoy the view of the lake there.  The Twin Peaks are worth the extra effort though.  To get there continue north on the Pacific Crest Trail and Tahoe Rim Trail until they split just southwest of the peaks.  Take the sharp right to follow the TRT south of the peaks and pick up the use trail that runs to the summit along the east ridge, overlooking a sharp cliff to the north.  The final climb is very steep and may be beyond some dogs.  Our Whippet needed a lift at a handful of choice spots and we were kicking ourselves for not bringing his harness with a solid handle. 

CalTopo Map: https://caltopo.com/m/76N2

 

Photos

 

Trailhead

Marker at the trailhead with the PCT and TRT insignia

The first view of the lake from ridge line

Looking north from the first good lake view.  The rocky outcropping and ahead and the Twin Peaks are visible to the north.

 

 

The view from the rocky outcropping 1.5 miles in.  The Twin Peaks are visible to the left of Lake Tahoe

That same rocky outcrop from a meadow below it on the north side.

A view of the lake at the bottom of the descent between the rocky outcropping and the summits.

The Twin Peaks ahead after re-gaining the ridge.

A view into the Granite Chief Wilderness from the ridge south of the Twin Peaks

 

TRT/PCT trailhead

The use trail to the Twin Peaks.  Follow the TRT around the peaks to the south and just over the east ridge below the peaks.

Nearing the summit on the use trail, a steep cliff appears on your right.  Even if you or your dog decide the final boulder-hop to the summit is a bit more precarious than you're up for, the views over this cliff are worth the hike.

The final climb is steep and boulderful!

Summit panorama.