Granite Chief Wilderness is a 19,048-acre federally designated wilderness in Tahoe National Forest in California’s Sierra Nevada, established in 1984 and managed by the U.S. Forest Service. Rising from about 4,800 feet to 9,019 feet at Granite Chief, it is a glaciated landscape of hanging valleys, cirques, and broad U-shaped valleys drained chiefly by the Middle Fork American River and Five Lakes Creek. Its volcanic soils support varied plant communities, including rare species, while wildlife includes mountain lions, black bears, and mule deer. Recreation is prominent, with 37 miles of trails, the Pacific Crest Trail, and events such as the Western States Endurance Run and Tevis Cup.