kirk said
It looks like it's a little smokey in the photo. How about Rho Ridge?

Yes, there was some smoke around, but not too much.  Photo was taken last fall when the Mother Lode fire was still smoldering.  Rho Ridge is close, but just a little too far east.

Well, it doesn't quite fit with your clues (it is almost west of Burnt Granite, so it sounds too far north), but there aren't many trails west of Rho Ridge that aren't in a wilderness.  It kind of looks like there might be a lake in the background, so I'm going to guess that might be the Skookum Lake trail.

Rob,

Yes, there is a lake involved, but you won't see evidence of it in this photo.  It's not Skookum Lake.  And although it's not in a wilderness area, it's very close to one.

How about the Elk Lake Trail before it enters the wilderness?

Kirk,

Interesting guess, but that's not it.  Like the Elk Lake Creek trail, this trail leads to a lake.  But neither the lake nor the trail is in a wilderness. 

Hint:  This trail would be on anybody's "short" list.