Distance: 10

Difficulty: Strenuous

Trailhead: Take 89 South from Tahoe City down the West Shore to the Caspian Picnic area. Take a right on Blackwood Canyon Road and follow it 7.1 miles to Barker Pass, where the pavement ends. Powderhorn trailhead is 2.3 miles past here.

Description: This trail is located within the Granite Chief wilderness. Follow directions to the Five Lakes trail from the Powderhorn trailhead. The Western States Trail begins on the west side of Whiskey Creek and climbs steadily for 3 miles to the Sierra Crest. The trail then drops along switchbacks into Picayune Valley and follows Picayune Creek down to the middle fork of the American River. From here, the trail crosses the river and makes a gradual descent through French meadows to Talbot Campground.