Shirley Canyon to High Camp
Creekside forest gives way to granite slabs, Shirley Lake, and the high country above Olympic Valley. This is a strenuous mountain day with varied footing and a return plan that must stand on its own.
- Distance
- ≈ 7 mi
- Elevation gain
- ≈ 2,000 ft
- Time estimate
- 5–7 hours round trip; allow longer for route variations
- Effort
- Hard
Why go
Shirley Canyon packs several kinds of Sierra scenery into one climb. Waterfalls and creekside shade lead into more open rock, with views back over the valley as you gain height. The route asks for attention as well as fitness: smooth granite and stretches of less obvious tread make it more involved than a uniform dirt path.
Shirley Lake provides a natural place to reassess the day before the continuation to High Camp. This guide budgets a walking return, keeping the outing independent of lift operations. Pack for the full descent and leave time to navigate slowly. A shorter turnaround is worthwhile when the upper route is snowy, storms build, or the group is tiring.
The walk
Out and back · Shirley Canyon Trailhead, Olympic Valley
Start from the signed Shirley Canyon trail access in Olympic Valley and follow the creekside route. Stay with mapped trail markings through boulders and wooded sections.
Ascend the granite sections to Shirley Lake, checking your position where the tread becomes faint. Continue on the signed High Camp connection only with sufficient time and energy.
Return along your planned hiking route before dark. Do not improvise a descent down ski runs or assume that a lift will provide transportation to the village.
A route overview for planning. Carry an offline topographic map and follow current trail signs.
Getting there & going prepared
Use Palisades Tahoe’s current summer map and posted village parking rules. The resort publishes inconsistent lengths for the High Camp outing, so allow a margin beyond the headline distance. Its trail guide describes this as strenuous and dog-friendly. This itinerary includes the walk down; any lift alternative requires separately verified operating dates, hours, and boarding policies.
Keep in mind
Wet granite can be slippery; never rely on an unverified tram ride to avoid the descent.
Sources & route notes
Main resort page lists 3.5 miles one way and +1,920/-85 feet. Seven-mile round trip and about 2,000 feet cumulative gain are rounded from that route. Resort blog instead describes three miles to Shirley Lake plus two to High Camp; show approximate 7–10-mile range if possible. No verified tram schedule; no tram return promised.
Source review: Oct 16, 2026. Not a field report or a statement that the trail is open. Times and difficulty are editorial planning estimates.