Mileage: 5.0 miles one way
Elevation: 6040 6920 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Use Level: Light
Season: July-October
Topographic Map: Wentworth Springs, Granite Chief

Access: The Five Lakes Creek trail is located within the wilderness boundary. Trail can be accessed using either the Powderhorn trail from Barker Pass or the Five Lakes trail. Below are directions to the Powderhorn trailhead.

From interstate 80 in Truckee, take Highway 89S and drive to Tahoe City. Continue south on Highway 89 from Tahoe City for another 4.2 miles to Caspian Picnic Area. Turn west on Blackwood Canyon Road. The road follows Blackwood creek for 2.3 miles, crosses the creek and then climbs 4.8 miles to Barker Pass. Pavement ends at the summit. The Powderhorn trailhead is 2.3 miles down the road from where the pavement ends.

Trail Description: The Five Lakes Creek Trail is a major trunk trail which runs through the Granite Chief Wilderness . To reach the trail from Barker Pass, follow the Powderhorn Trail (4.0 miles) to Diamond Crossing where the Five Lakes Creek Trail begins. Several trails branch off from the Five Lakes Creek Trail as it heads northeast toward Whisky Creek. The Bear Pen Trail junction is .1 miles north of Diamond Crossing. 1.7 miles north of that is the trail to Big Springs (a pleasant 1 mile detour). From this junction the trail bends to the left, crosses Five Lakes Creek and then heads north again to the Shanks Cove Trail intersection. (Shanks Cove trail is one of the connecting links to the Western States Trail. The trail continues north on the west bank of the creek climbing moderately up the crest of a lateral glacier moraine until it reaches Whisky Creek where the trail ends. Other trails accessible from this point (the Pacific Crest Trail , Five Lakes, Western States and Tevis Cup) makes Whisky Creek a popular crossroad in the wilderness.