Upper Salmon Lake Trail to Deer Lake and Summit Lake

This is a challenging, strenuous hike but with some absolutely incredible views of 4 alpine lakes — the spectacular Upper Salmon Lake,. .. then, Horse Lake. .. the pristine, Deer Lake. .. and if you make it to the top, you will also be rewarded with a scenic view of Summit Lake. It is 7 ¾ miles out and back if you go all the way to Summit Lake. Be prepared as this requires a 1,200 foot elevation gain hike, so you will have some very challenging climbs up the mountains. You can, of course, cut the hike short, as I have done twice, and consider Deer Lake the return point.
Elevation: ~7,400 ft.
Difficulty: Trail around Upper Salmon Lake is Moderate. .. Climbs to Deer and Summit Lakes are stenuous
Hiking Season: June to October
Gold Lake Highway intersects with Highway 89 approximately 48 miles North of Truckee (1 ½ miles South of Graeagle). Take Gold Lake Highway for 11.3 miles to the turnoff to the right for the Salmon Lakes. This road will dead end in ~1 mile at a parking lot adjacent to Upper Salmon Lake, from which the trailhead is accessible. Don’t start your hike along the lakeside. Rather, from the parking lot, walk back up the road approximately 100 yards to the trailhead, which is marked «Upper Salmon Lake Trail».