Wright’s Lake trail: Wright’s Lake, Grouse Lake and Smith Lake

Updated 4 September 2023

Wright’s Lake is on Wright’s Lake Road, which heads north from Hwy 50 about 15 miles west of Echo Summit; the drive from South Lake Tahoe to Wright’s Lake is about 30 miles, or about 50 minutes drive time. Wright’s Lake itself is very lovely, but Grouse Lake and Smith’s Lake are even nicer. Smith’s Lake even has good fishing (or at least it did when DHB hiked there a few years ago). Also of interest are the Twin Lakes, on a branch of the trail to the north. Possibilities include:

1. Hike to Grouse Lake and Smith Lake (5.6 miles round trip, 1700 feet elevation gain)
2. Hike to Twin Lakes (5.8 miles round trip, 1300 feet elevation gain)

A map and some photos are shown below.

A Desolation Wilderness day use permit must be completed at the Wright’s Lake trailhead, and you must take the top portion with you. Camping say at Grouse Lake or other locations within the Desolation Wilderness requires a wilderness permit and a California campfire permit, both available online.

Here is a map of a hike from Wright’s Lake to Grouse Lake and Smith Lake, before returning:

Here is a photo of Grouse Lake:

Here is Smith Lake, which has great fishing: