Take the Sierra Ski Ranch Rd. off Highway 50 (approximately 48 miles east of Placerville) and continue for 2 miles turning right onto Bryan Rd. (17E13) for 2 1/2 miles to the parking area located at the Sayles Canyon/Bryan Meadows trailhead.

Hike one mile up Sayles Canyon trail along Sayles Creek to the junction of Bryan Meadows trail. This trail continues easterly for 3 miles passing through beautiful stands of lodgepole pine and mountain hemlock and skirts the edge of scenic Bryan Meadow just prior to its junction with the Pacific Crest Trail.

Sayles Canyon
Distance: 4.5 miles
Low Elevation: 6,800'
High Elevation: 8,700'
Difficulty: Moderate

Follow the directions to Bryan Meadows to get to the Sayles Canyon/Bryan Meadows trailhead.

A moderate climb back and forth across Sayles Creek for approximately 3 1/2 miles leads to a beautiful mountain park known as Round Meadows. The trail continues through Round Meadows and ascends one mile to join the Pacific Crest Trail at the ridge crest.

Little Round Top
Distance: 2.5 miles
Low Elevation: 8,300'
High Elevation: 9,000'
Difficulty: Moderate

Turn north off Highway 88 at the Cal Trans Maintenance Station near Caples Lake. Continue for two miles to Schneiders Cow Camp where parking is available. Follow the 4-wheel drive road for 1/2 mile to the trailhead.

The trail leads around Little Round Top through stands of lodgepole and whitebark pine where it ends at the junction of the Pacific Crest Trail. A short cross-country trip to the 9500 ft summit of Little Round Top gives hikers a panoramic view of the surrounding Sierras and Caples Lake.

Cody Lake
Distance: 0.5 mile
Low Elevation: 7,200'
High Elevation: 7,300'
Difficulty: Easy

The trailhead is located approximately 7 miles from the small community of Strawberry following the Packsaddle Pass Rd from 42 Mile to Section 1, Township 10N, Range 16E.

A fairly easy 1/2 mile hike leads to this glacier formed lake.

Lovers Leap
Distance: 2.5 mile
Low Elevation: 5,900'
High Elevation: 6,900'
Difficulty:

Highway 50 (1/4 mile west of Strawberry) turn south at 42 Mile picnic site, take a right across the bridge following Packsaddle Pass Rd. for one mile to the junction of Strawberry Canyon Rd. Take Strawberry Canyon Rd for 1/2 mile to the trailhead.

The trail leads to the top of Lovers Leap (a nationwide rock climbing area) for a breathtaking view of the South Fork of the American River drainage. The trail continues on for one mile to Camp Sacramento.

Mount Ralston
Distance: 3 miles
Low Elevation: 6,500'
High Elevation: 8,900'
Difficulty: Strenuous

Trailhead parking is located across from Camp Sacramento on the north side of Highway 50. The road on the east end of the parking area leads to the trailhead 200 yards away.

The first mile is a moderate hike. Upon reaching Desolation Wilderness Boundary, it ties into the network of wilderness trails. A magnificent view of Lake Tahoe and the surrounding wilderness can be obtained with a short 1/2 mile hike to the top of Ralston Peak (elev. 9,235). During the summer months be sure to bring along ample drinking water. There are no water sources along the way. Note: A wilderness permit is required.

Buck Pasture
Distance: 3 miles
Low Elevation: 8,000'
High Elevation: 8,600'
Difficulty: Moderate

From Kyburz, take the Silver Fork Rd. for 7 miles to the junction of Cody Meadows Rd. Proceed on Cody Meadows Rd. for approximately 5 miles to Negro Flat where a 4-wheel drive road will take you 2 miles farther to the trailhead located in Section 7 of Township, 10N, Range 17E.

The trail leads down into Buck's Pasture and continues up along the north ridge of scenic Caples Creek drainage ending at the junction of the Strawberry Canyon jeep trail.

Caples Creek
Distance: 4 miles
Low Elevation: 5,700'
High Elevation: 6,400'
Difficulty: Moderate

Follow the Silver Fork Rd. from Kyburz for approximately 10 miles turning left just before Fitch Rantz Bridge onto a 4-wheel drive road which leads 1/4 mile to the trailhead.

The trail follows along the north side of Caples Creek through virgin forest, intersecting the Silver Fork trail and continues through beautiful Jake Schneider's Meadow intersecting the Old Silver Lake Trail. From this junction, the trail proceeds uphill for nearly one mile where it ends at the junction of Government Meadows trail.

Silver Fork
Distance: 3 miles
Low Elevation: 6,100'
High Elevation: 6,800'
Difficulty: Moderate

Follow the directions given for the Caples Creek trail to where it intersects the Silver Fork trail.

The Silver Fork trail begins with a moderate climb. The trail follows along the rapidly descanting Silver Creek. The trail levels out and follows the creek past quiet pools and then climbs to the junction of Old Silver Lake trail where the hiker has a splendid view of both Caples Creek and Silver Fork drainages.

Old Silver Lake
Distance:1.5 miles
Low Elevation: 6,000'
High Elevation: 6,800'
Difficulty: Moderate

Follow the directions given for the Caples Creek trail to where it intersects the Old Silver Lake trail at Jake Schneider's Meadow.

After crossing Caples Creek (use caution— no bridge), one can hike through mixed stands of virgin pine and fir. Switchbacks ascend the ridgetop to where the trail meets the Silver Fork trail coming in from the southwest.

Government Meadows
Distance: 0.5 mile
Low Elevation: 6,300'
High Elevation: 6,400'
Difficulty: Moderately easy

Follow the directions given for the Caples Creek trail to where it intersects with the Government Meadows trail.

This short trail leads around several lush green meadows and ends at picturesque Caples Creek.

Move on to Trail Finder: Eldorado National Forest