Go north or south on Highway 89 from Tahoe City or Truckee to Alpine Meadows Road. Proceed up the road two miles toward the ski area to the west. There is roadside parking at the trail head. And trail signage is good.



The trail is five miles out and back, and it takes you up the ridge that separates Alpine Meadows and Palisades Tahoe. You can actually continue on the trail and connect with the PCT (Pacific Crest Trail). On the PCT you can hike south to Ward Peak (8,637') at the top of Alpine Meadows or north to Squaw Peak (8,885') atop Palisades Tahoe.



Several years ago in late October a Tahoetopia staff member took her Golden Retriever ("Molly") to Five Lakes. They were frozen. Molly ran out on the ice, tried to stop, and skidded--all four legs straightened--for about fifteen feet. She got the surprise of her life.

Two hikers returning from the lakes on October 10 this year, in mid-afternoon said the lakes were not yet frozen. But the two people were! A cold, cutting east wind had started to blow in as they headed down from the lakes.