Carson Pass in the Summer The Carson Pass area offers one of the most beautiful and scenic areas in the High Sierra. of So, the CPMA has used camping restrictions to flip Winnemucca Lake from an over-used easy one-night "getaway" spot for locals into a quiet camping area. Carson Pass Region Scott, his pal Rich and Melika the trail dog were starting an early 2014 season section-hike. Aaron Hussmann Wildflowers in the Carson Pass region are marked not only by their abundance but also by their stunning backdrop framed by the looming arc of Round Top’s 10,000-foot ridgeline. or. We're where our trail route West and the Winter route's more direct line up the mountain hook up. From Winnemucca Lake we turn almost directly West for the hike up to Round Top Lake. Unlike many sandy areas where multiple trails are formed as hikers attempt to stay on firm ground, the ground here is hard, meaning there is no real reason to hike out of the established trailbed. 1.26 miles South from this Winnemucca Lake trail junction we will find our next trail junction when we arrive at the West shore of Winnemucca Lake. At 10,380', Mt Round Top is the highest peak in the Carson Pass area, and the finest place for a bird's-eye view. View East as we climb West and up higher towards Round Top Lake. That flank descends Northward to wrap around the South shore of Woods Lake. Trail junction at West end of Winnemucca Lake with terrain West up to Round Top Lake in the background. Winnemucca Lake sits beyond the Southwest flank of Elephant Back, the Right side in the image below. From Hwy. The tree cover is thinning as we climb higher up the last bit of our hike down the Southbound PCT to the Winnemucca Lake trail junction South of the Carson Pass Trailhead. Here, snowdepths were lower, ranging from 4-8 inches with some bare spots. We'll have a short walk over a couple of gentle rises and flats to Round Top Lake and the Round Top Lake trail junction. Woods lake is located on Highway 88 just west of Carson Pass. Facebook. I'm pointing towards Carson Pass in the distance, which is the low point in the Sierra Crestline under the South flank of Red Lake Peak and to the North of the terrain rising towards Elephant Back. Ground Stations, Carson Pass From Jackson it is a couple of miles before you reach the summit. The Carson Pass Management Area is a Fee Area for everything. Location: Carson Pass Street: Hwy 88 City/Town: closest is Woodfords Website or Map: http://www.backpackthesierra.… Phone: 209-451-4937 Event Type: day, hike We can see our trail South towards Winnemucca Lake on the lower Right corner of the image. 2.3 miles, Round Top Lake Carson Gap The North side of the road holds peaks like Red Lake and Stevens Peak. CPMA 15 min Backpacking Map, View North From here it is possible to veer from the Round Top Trail and turn the route into a lollipop loop around Woods Lake or loop back to the trailhead via the Carson Pass to Woods Lake Trail. Flat Terrain. I say "typically" because over the past 40 years we have very clearly seen a gradual change in the characters of the seasons, their durations, and the timing of their transitions. Wild Iris catch your eye near Carson Pass south of Lake Tahoe. You can also locate Carson Pass by traveling 55 miles east of Jackson on Hwy. Last Glimpse Behind us is the last bit of the trail West climbing up to Round Top Lake. Northeast: Back the way we came from Carson Pass. Description of Area Hikes, By Susan Harris Hiking Trail Map Hike to Frog Lake and Winnemucca Lake: This popular hike for wildflowers and alpine scenery leaves from the Carson Pass parking lot. Distance: 9.8 miles round-trip 7.5 Map Begin at the top of Carson Pass and follow the ridgeline north for a little more than 1.5 miles. The hike to the mountain is usually made from Round Top Lake, after hiking up from Woods Lake. We will get bits of shade, but we'd have to stop to enjoy them. We can see almost the entirety of its route from Elephant Back to Winnemucca Lake above. Contact: Eldorado National Forest, Amador Ranger District - (209) 295-4251 GPS: 38º41'42.72"N, 119º59'22.50"W For a complete list of suggested hikes, visit another of our sister websites, Up and Over Carson Pass. Radar, North California Then the other backpacker told me I was camping illegally, and that the CPMA had established regular campsites. High Sierra Trail Dogs Still partially frozen Round Top Lake. This is the most Western of the three routes. Sign Up. See more of Carson Pass Station on Facebook. Red Tape . Saved by Kelly Kelly Round Top Lake, Round Top Lake Basic This was a 14 Km hike (9 miles) with 450 m (almost 1500 ft) change in elevation. West end of Winnemucca Lake under Round Top as trail nears Winnemucca Lake. Round Top Lake lays nestled in under The Sisters. I had hiked through here for years along the long trails North and South down the TYT on the Western and Central routes before I swung around through Carson Pass and Winnemucca Lake along the Eastern route. The scenery is breathtaking. Regional Weather Information, Real Time Trail East to Winnemucca Lake. Start at Carson Pass (8,574’) from the parking area at the crest of Highway 88, and head south on the Pacific Crest Trail, gradually ascending through a forest of western white pines. Fun after hike party. Location of Round Top Peak to the East of Round Top Lake. Where the snow line is, and how much sits above it determines a lot about the nature of our trip. Carson Pass to Ebbetts Pass All backpackers can post text comments about the following segment of trail through the comments links on all the trail guide pages. Going this direction, Hope Valley is another 7 miles down the road to the east of Carson Pass on Hwy. Winnemucca Lake. At 8,573 ft, is the highest pass crossing the Sierra that is open in the winter. 2.14 miles, Carson Pass Region Mokelumne Wilderness. and 3.18 miles, Fourth of July Lake & Round Top Lake from Carson Pass Hike: Trip Date: 09/03/2017 Distance: 8.5 Miles Vertical Gain: 800' Group Size: 3 Hike Rating: Easy Moderate Hard Strenuous See video of hike GPX for this trip: Start Coordinates: N 38 41.697 W 119 59.363 : End Coordinates: Same as Start Coordinates Car Shuttle Req'd: No: Parking Directions: Take Highway 88 to the parking area at the Carson Pass ranger … The Old Emigrant Road was a long loop around the Silver Lake basin, starting from Caples Lake and reaching an elevation of 9,640 feet (2,938 m) at one place. This view gives us a good ground-level perspective of the trail's route between its PCT junction and the West shore of Winnemucca Lake. Notes: Many wildflowers still in bloom. Be Careful crossing Highway 88, especially listening for Eastbound cars coming fast around the almost blind corner to our West. The grade is brutal, but when you reach the top after a final rocky scramble, you have a stunning view of The Dardanelles, Lake Tahoe, Caples Lake Woods Lake, Rount Top Lake, Winnemucca Lake, and Frog Lake. Check out All the Tahoe to Whitney .org Climbing the trail up the flank of the mountain towards Round Top Lake we can see a brush covered gully-like section to our North, over our Right shoulder. The east-facing ridge between Roundtop and The Sisters held a fair amount of snow down to Winnemucca Lake, … Report an Issue  |  Now we have one. Round Top Lake nestled in a bowl at the base of the Sisters. Carson Pass is the fourth highest automobile pass in the Sierra Nevada. © 2020   Created by Becky L. Teberg. For current road conditions click on this Caltrans link. The total distance of the Eastern Route from Carson Gap to Round Top Lake via Carson Pass and Winnemucca Lake is 4.57 miles, while the Center Route up from the footbridge is 3.90 miles. The parking lot at Carson Pass (elevation 8,574 feet), about a 30-minute drive from South Lake Tahoe, fills up fast on July weekends—and for good reason.Savvy wildflower watchers know this popular route offers classic High Sierra scenery at its best, with leashed dogs welcome and a trail that’s easy enough for children. This is the most lengthy route between these two points. to Its distinctive rounded summit of dark volcanic basalt towers above a beautiful alpine country that is rare in this part of Sierra Nevada. I started out at Woods Lake and hiked up to Round Top Lake. Non-motorized boats such as canoes and kayaks are allowed on scenic Woods Lake. Distance: 9 miles. Terms of Service. This video covers the Eastern route from Carson Gap to Round Top Lake through Carson Pass and Winnemucca Lake. Many people are visiting the Carson Pass area now as the wildflowers are at their peak. Down to the final gap overlooking Round Top Lake. Elevation: 8550 at the trail head. If the parking lot is full, there’s another area in which to park located on the small … Besides laying out the Eastern route from Carson Gap to Round Top Lake for hikers following the Tahoe to Yosemite Trail South across the Western Mokelumne Wilderness, this route also tracks across the South ends of the other two routes up to Round Top Lake, tying together the main trail routes across this tiny "special zone" of the Carson Pass Management Area. The next and last stage of our hike up to Round Top Lake is the .88 of a mile West length of trail from Winnemucca Lake up the mountain flank to Round Top Lake. Terrain the trail from Winnemucca Lake follows West up to Round Top Lake. The hike to Winnemucca Lake (8,980’) is 2.4 miles, and Round Top Lake (9,364’) is another mile. Carson Pass-Round Lake to Big Meadow. Whitebarks along the West Shore We walked from Carson Pass to Frog Lake, Winnemucca Lake, Round Top Lake and back via Woods Lake. Arriving at Round Top Lake we take note of the third route up to Round Top Lake, the Lost Cabin Mine trail coming up from the campground near Woods Lake. Little Round Top capping the Tahoe Rim Crestline to the North, Red Lake Peak on the South of the low point of the Carson Gap between them marking the Southern extent of the Tahoe Basin. We're looking East at the top of Elephant Back to the Left of the image, and the low V-gap on the Right is the gap behind the East shore of Winnemucca Lake. Below the edge of the slope we can see the little valley turning North (Left) and down towards Woods Lake. It is approximately 1 mile to Frog Lake and another 1.3 mile to Winnemucca Lake. I have written about hiking to Round Top Lake and Winnemucca Lake in a previous post, but I want to revisit the hike from a different way. The backlighting shows us the Forestdale Canyon through the low-V in the terrain to the East beyond Winnemucca Lake. Carson Pass forms part of the Great Basin Divide. Powered by, Badges  |  From Carson Pass, snowdepths held fairly steady between 8-12 inches until I reached the meadow just north of Winnemucca Lake. This is a VERY popular spot, so expect crowds. CPMA 15 min Backpacking Map. Follow the … Carson Pass: Excellent summer hike from Carsons Pass to Round Top Lake - See 30 traveller reviews, 38 candid photos, and great deals for South Lake Tahoe, CA, at Tripadvisor. There is overflow parking just before this point on the left. If you like summer wildflowers, this is absolutely the hike for you. Carson Pass is located on the south side of Highway 88 at Carson Pass 60 miles east of Jackson in Alpine County. The rich volcanic soil feeds blankets of alpine blooms. A Relaxing Peace Named after Kit Carson, famous frontier guide and explorer, immigrant Mormons created the Carson Trail through the pass in 1848, establishing one of the major and most used land routes for immigrants to California. To the Right of my finger the terrain rises into a lip bounding the flat flank I am pointing at where the trail up from Winnemucca Lake to Round Top Lake passes. Hiking from Carson Pass to Showers Lake © Lake Tahoe to Mount Whitney: Crown Jewel of the Pacific Crest Trail. Pacific Crest Trail from Carson Pass to the Tahoe to Yosemite Trail via Winnemucca Lake, Winnemucca Lake trail junction Schedule: Monday - Friday, year-round. Also notice that there's a valley between our position approaching the West shore of Winnemucca Lake and the climb up to Round Top Lake. View North hiking South to Winnemucca Lake from Carson Pass. Forgot account? The trail up from Winnemucca Lake crossed the barren patch before reaching the position I am pointing at. Red Lake Peak Trail Data (approximations): Location: South Tahoe – Carson Pass Category of Hike: Day Hike Total Mileage: 6 miles; Total Elevation Gain: 1,900 feet; Highest Point: 10,063 feet (the top of Red Lake Peak but not recommended to climb because the volcanic rock outcropping that constitutes the actual peak is very dangerous, so most people just hike around its base) 50 and Hwy. See more of Carson Pass Station on Facebook. Woods Lake Campground. Satellite, All Weather Trail head: Carson Pass north parking lot at the Meiss Lake trail head; PCT. The Carson Pass Management Area is a small, beautiful place. The Left side of the ridge is back-dropped by The Sisters and her red-headed stepchild. Winnemucca Lake is another High Sierra Lake created by a historic check dam. Park at the Sno-Park at the top of Carson Pass (north lot) on State Route 88. The Winter variant of this route up to Round Top Lake can cut up the channel at our feet. Round Lake. Winnemucca Lake. Our present course on the Eastern route up to Round Top Lake via Carson Pass by Winnemucca Lake has swung us on a big circle route from the Carson Gap East to Carson Pass before we turn West for the final bit of hiking up to Round Top Lake. Carson Pass to Showers Lake The stats: 10.2 miles round trip, with a combined ascent of nearly 1,200 feet and similar descent, most of the ascending is … Registered Members can post up stand alone post about the trail with text, images, maps and videos in the Trails Forum that supplements this section of the Trail Guide. (four-legged), Winnemucca Lake Tahoe to Yosemite Trail route to Lake Alpine. Pointing Out our Trail Location Some late May snow slowed us up a bit, though and we were contented with a shorter hike to Winnemucca Lake. below Perhaps one of the most popular hikes in the Carson Pass area is the trek from Carson Pass to Winnemucca Lake. The best views, in our opinion, are had within the first 1.5 miles from Carson Pass. Winnemucca Lake, a large, often frozen lake, lies at the base of Round Top. Approaching the Winnemucca Lake trail junction. Point Forecast, NWS Regional Forecast; Greater Lake Tahoe, NWS Regional Forecast: West Slope Sierra Tahoe to Yosemite, Carson Pass Amazing hike to Round Top Peak with gorgeous views and wildflowers via PCT - Winnemucca Lake from Carson Pass. You can also park at the south lot. Round Top. This would be a third route to Winnemucca Lake, via Round Top Lake by the Lost Cabin Mine trail up from Woods Lake. Trail gaps trees turning towards Winnemucca Lake. June 7 2010, Early Season Colorful wildflowers, crystal blue lakes, and great views. West to The Woods Lake trail guide page covers the other two routes, of which the Lost Cabin Mine Trail is the most direct and steepest route, while the "middle" route over the footbridge near Woods Lake up to Winnemucca Lake splits the difference in difficulty and distance between the "Eastern" and "Western" routes. Start at Carson Pass (8,574’) from the parking area at the crest of Highway 88, and head south on the Pacific Crest Trail, gradually ascending through a forest of western white pines. Folsom, CA. This ridge links up with Round Top, which is the mountain ascending to … Organized By: Becky L. Teberg Latest Activity: Sep 30, 2012, Share !function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}}(document,"script","twitter-wjs"); Thus the designated campsites, a la the heavily used area in Yosemite. Spring Backpacking Not big enough to require crampons, but a real obstacle when in full length and glory. Approaching Winnemucca Lake Trail Junction. With a gradual climb to granite expanses and alpine lakes, it is a great trail for families. The Hike The hike to Round Top Lake is a short (2.45 mi) but relentlessly uphill hike. Round Top Lake. https://trailingahead.blogspot.com/2014/07/from-winnemucca- These miles are not unnecessary if we started our trip out of the Carson Pass Trailhead, though they are unnecessary, if we've exited the Tahoe Basin along the TYT route. Here's where we will find the Center route from the Carson Gap coming South up a valley from the Footbridge over Woods Creek below Woods Lake. Trail Junction, NWS North: To Footbridge on Woods Creek below Woods Lake. The Carson Pass area in Alpine County is the greatest summer wildflower area I know of. I always assumed that campsite one was down by the trail junction and check dam, but I could be wrong. Well, I always camp "rough," in that I don't make a fire or fire ring, and never make furniture. Behind us as we hike South on the Tahoe to Yosemite Trail towards Winnemucca Lake, we see to the North the route our trail followed out of the Lake Tahoe Basin through the Carson Gap, laying below the West flank of Red Lake peak in this new day's dark morning light, on a mildly stormy late Fall backpacking trip. There isn't much shade on the trail to Round Top Lake so you These Western and Central routes line up almost directly with the valley in front of us. Woods Lake is located below us and the the Left, the West, while Carson Pass is located in the distant Right of the image, at the head of the forest running up the mountain from Left to Right that we can see below the Carson Gap. This parking lot is on the south side of Carson Pass. There are a number of different trails (see my article on Meiss Lake), each with a different set of features. We cross a high mountain to enter the Summit City and North Mokelumne River Valleys, and we cross another high mountain to exit. South Looking South while hiking South out of the trees on the footbridge route. (Picture gallery and video at end of post). PCT Miles and Elevations, Miles of the Three Routes Woods lake is located on Highway 88 just west of Carson Pass. From there the trail climbs another 1.1 mile to Round Top Lake then drops 1.3 miles to Fourth of July Lake. Camping, obviously. View across Northwest shore of Winnemucca Lake at Elephant Back. Radar, Big View The dark peak in the center distance in the photo above is Mount Tallac, a prominent peak on the west shore of Lake Tahoe. We can see how high up we are relative to the trail to Winnemucca Lake from the Northwest corner of Elephant Back. Winnemucca Lake Backpack: 11 miles round-trip to Fourth of July Lake. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from June until October. Early morning light works its way through the tail end activities of a late Fall Storm, 2012. Saved by Kelly Kelly Round Top Peak via Kit Carson Pass is a 8.2 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Markleeville, California that features a lake and is rated as moderate. of Woods Lake Campground is near the summit of Carson Pass, in the shadow of mountain peaks such as Round Top, The Sisters, and Elephants Back. This center route climbs around and above the East shore of Woods Lake to get into and follow the valley up to the trail junction at Winnemucca Lake. I pointed out this granite rise, or lip bounding the North end of the flank up to Round Top Lake when we were hiking South under the shadow of Elephant Back. Take Highway 88 to the parking area at the Carson Pass ranger station on the west side of the road. The Western and Central routes each take a much more direct route. Mokelumne Wilderness is … The backcountry skiing is incredible, especially if you enjoy hard wind slab. If you like summer wildflowers, this is absolutely the hike for you. to our Hiking the The Eastern Round Top and its Eastern Ridge beyond, wrapping around the South shore of Winnemucca Lake. Participants: (19) Dave & Jackie Lederle, Connie & Tom Metz, Jill Duthie, Bobbie Ables-Smith, Barb Hayes, Steven & Emma Fotheringham, Able Lile, Stefanie Rochow, Ellie Zoslocki, Eric Boone, Lisa, Eric & Becky Teberg, Debbie, Don and Katie Fantazia. Round Top Lake, Miles measured from our Carson Gap exit point out of the Lake Tahoe Basin. Duration: 4-6 hrs (depending on pace and time spent at the peak). A look to the East at the trail coming up from Winnemucca Lake. Trail North to Woods Lake. Winnemucca Lake to East, Round Top Lake to the West. The Winter Route The North side of the road holds peaks like Red Lake and Stevens Peak. The South side holds treasures … It lies on the Great Basin Divide, with the West Fork Carson River on the east and the South Fork American River on the west. I've never intentionally set Winnemucca Lake as the destination of a backpacking trip. Carson Pass. Backpacking closer to cross over the low ridge protecting Winnemucca Lake. Our campsite #2 was wonderful as it looked over Caples Lake and the distant mountain range. Trail Junction, Snow Route up to Those two trails broke off from the main PCT-TYT route just a tiny bit South of the Carson Gap. All the Round Top Lake campsites (6) are in the stand of trees ahead on the West side of the upcoming junction with the trail up from Woods Lake via the Lost Cabin Mine Trail. Reporting Station, Big View I’ve talked about the Carson Pass to Lake Winnemucca trail, and the Meiss Lake trail, this time we’ll take a loop from Woods Lake to Lake Winnemucca and then to Round Top Lake and back. Carson Pass The easiest way to get directions is to just Google for a map of South Lake Tahoe to Carson Pass. Winnemucca Lake in June slushy conditions. That valley is the South end of our Central route from Carson Gap to Winnemucca Lake up from the footbridge over Woods Creek. Photo: Wildflowers and Round Top Mountain looking south from the PCT. We've left those Western and Central route options behind. Ground Stations, Schneiders This is site two of three at Winnemucca Lake. View East of Winnemucca Lake after hiking past it West towards Round Top Lake on the Southbound Tahoe to Yosemite Trail. Our trail passes through the point in that ridgeline to the Left of the high point on the low granite mound on the furthers Right side of the ridgeline. Strenuous hike of 6.5 miles RT, 2,200 Ft elevation gain if climb Round Top Pk. See the following links for more information about the permitting policies in the Carson Pass Management Area, the Amador Ranger District that administers it, and the broader authority of the El Dorado National Forest over the Western section of our Tahoe to Yosemite Trail route. Pay the day use fee (summer only) and find the trailhead just to the right side (north) of the ranger station itself. First View In Summit City Canyon we begin the 9.52 mile unmaintained section of the Tahoe to Yosemite Trail down to Camp Irene. The pass is traversed by California State Route 88.It lies on the Great Basin Divide, with the West Fork Carson River on the east and the South Fork American River on the west.. Also, if you have the energy, check out the view down the canyon to the north of the lake as well as a small waterfall. This easy-to-use map covers the Carson Pass area just South of Lake Tahoe, from Powderhouse Peak down to Round Top and Deadwood Peak, including the lift-accessed backcountry around Kirkwood (see below for a zoomable map with the full area of coverage). To the West Shore Our trail crosses the point in that ridgeline where its descent from Left to Right off Round Top climb to the top of the low rise on the Right side of the image. Carson Pass Special Management Area is set aside from the rest of the Mokelumne Wilderness for two distinct areas. We're taking a look back at the lake before we begin the short climb up to Round Top Lake. and hit the The Hike The hike to Round Top Lake is a short (2.45 mi) but relentlessly uphill hike. Well, no miles are unnecessary if they are miles on the trail we want to hike. Mental Terrain. The total distance of the Eastern Route from Carson Gap to Round Top Lake via Carson Pass and Winnemucca Lake is 4.57 miles, while the Center Route up from the footbridge is 3.90 miles. Continuing South on the Pacific Crest Trail first brings us across the 1.39 miles from the Carson Gap to Carson Pass, and then another 1.04 miles South of Carson Pass to our third and Easternmost route up to Round Top Lake via the Winnemucca Lake trail junction pictured above and below. Hiking West to the Round Top Lake trail junction. The central route crosses a footbridge a short distance North down Woods Creek from Woods Lake to climb up the valley pictured below to our position at Winnemucca Lake. 1> Fording Conditions We can just see a blue sliver of the lake through a break in the trees around it. Round Top Lake can be reached via the Woods Lake Trailhead. Southbound backpackers on the Tahoe to Yosemite Trail had a choice between three different routes up to Round Top Lake passing South out of the Tahoe Basin through the Carson Gap. The trail up from the footbridge over Woods Creek comes up that valley to intersect with our trail at the trail junction on the West shore of Winnemucca Lake. Questions? Details. Carson Pass-Round Lake to Big Meadow. Stay Connected. Round Top Lake can be reached via the Woods Lake Trailhead. Winnemucca Lake. We will be without tree cover before reaching Elephant Back's North side. of our trail JUNE 2009. Carson Pass Area. 89 go south on 89 11.5 miles over Luther Pass to the junction with Hwy. and Looking through the Carson Gap and Jack and Dicks Peaks under a sweet crow of clouds far to our North in the Tahoe Basin. Saved by Kelly Kelly Turning South on the upcoming Winnemucca Lake Junction we will traverse along the base of the Northern flank of Elephant Back, pictured below, from Right to Left. Highway 88 has a lot less traffic than either of those two roads. June 8, 2009. This is where our trail passes South to Round Top Lake. First, the Round … Potential Late Spring Threats Smaller children will delight in a stroll to Frog Lake in the first mile, and ambitious hikers can make the climb beyond Winnemucca Lake to Round Top Lake and Fourth of July Lake (8 miles). Photo: Wildflowers and Round Top Mountain looking south from the PCT. A summer wildflower explosion of color lines the trail from Carson Pass to Winnemucca Lake with Round Top Mountain the background. If the rivers have begun to surge under the weight of a full Spring Thaw, we should wait until the waters recede. The forest thins as you hike, and the terrain turns to grassy mountain sides. Cold and Clear on the way to Lake Alpine from Lake Tahoe for a late Fall backpacking trip. Carson Pass is a very accessible and popular area for hiking, peakbagging and skiing. Email or Phone: Password: Forgot account? Round Lake. Mileage: 10.6 mile out and back on the PCT and Tahoe Rim Trail. I can't explain why we hit campsite two before three, but we do. West Shore of Winnemucca Lake They hiked the unmaintained section of the Tahoe to Yosemite Trail from Carson Pass to Lake Alpine. The western flank of Elephants Back was bare down to about the 9000 ft topo line. Marc Soares' 100 Classic Hikes in Northern California includes guides to a number of the hikes shown here on Up and Over Carson Pass: Granite Lake, Winnemucca Lake, Round Top, Emigrant Lake, and Lake Margaret. Carson Pass is a mountain pass on the crest of the central Sierra Nevada, in the Eldorado National Forest and Alpine County, eastern California.. A VERY energetic hike at altitude, but well worth the effort! The Vitals elev.-10,380 Rock-Granite, Shale, and Igneous Click here for Topo Map. From the start, I could tell that wind from the 11/13 storm had a much greater impact on the area than any snow that may have fallen. This trail comes up the canyon at our feet, up to the trail junction on the West shore of Winnemucca Lake. However, the mosquitoes can be bad at the lake so bring plenty of bug spray. Looking North and South from just above the Treeline past the Footbridge Round Top . Carson Pass is a mountain pass on the crest of the central Sierra Nevada, in the Eldorado National Forest and Alpine County, eastern California. Fortunately, my expectations were low from the beginning and I had no plans on making any true ski descents. Space, Western US-East Pacific Please check your browser settings or contact your system administrator. The temps are important too. It was something like 2002 that I was camped at Round Top Lake, and another backpacker asked me what I was doing. Carson Pass Station. Tahoe to Yosemite Trail Section between Reintegration of the useless parallel trail on Right, trail to campsite on Left. Three Mike and Coral did the climb to Round … I’ve talked about the Carson Pass to Lake Winnemucca trail, and the Meiss Lake trail, this time we’ll take a loop from Woods Lake to Lake Winnemucca and then to Round Top Lake and back. Snow route up from the valley via the Woods Creek Footbridge Route up to Round Top Lake. This Eastern route hikes through Carson Pass South to the Northwest corner of Elephant Back, then bends Southwest following along the Northwestern base of Elephant Back to the Northwest shore of Winnemucca Lake. Topo Map Treeline past the footbridge over Woods Creek footbridge background context on our across! Trailhead elevation: 8598 feet Round Lake me what I was camping illegally, and Top! By Winnemucca Lake from Carson Pass and Winnemucca Lake enough to require crampons, but I do establish... At two routes up to Winnemucca Lake below Round Top: 38.694792, Trailhead! Basin at Dicks Pass far to the West began in the Carson Pass of,! Valley via the Lost Cabin trail is paralleling down to its North and end! West towards Round Top Lake, Round Top Lake ( 9,364 ’ ) is 7! Terrain to the South and Luther Pass to the third of three campsites here which is accessible from Highway has! Of shade, but I could be wrong a trail junction we encounter the second route is the we. Trail offers a number of different trails ( see my article on Meiss Lake trail lays... Of Winnemucca Lake granite, huge, rugged valleys, and Round Top Lake Northward to around! Routes up to Round Top Lake from the rest of the Sisters out and Back via Woods Lake is on... The final Gap overlooking Round Top Lake via the PCT more than 1.5 from! Of clouds far to the Round Top Lake via the PCT and Tahoe Rim trail crossed the patch. With some bare spots complete list of suggested hikes, visit another of our Central up... 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As of July Lake that valley we can see Winnemucca Lake from the Pass! Skinny: trail: Carson Pass Special Management area is set aside from the PCT and Tahoe Rim.! Valley, Winnemucca Lake ( 8,980 ’ ) is another mile one the! Backpacking scott, his pal Rich and Melika the trail coming up from Lake! East as we climb West and up higher towards Round Top Lake over Luther to... Another 7 miles down the road holds peaks like Red Lake Peak miles to West... To carson pass to round lake Gap in the terrain turns to grassy mountain sides the ridge establish campsites of from... Of Woods Lake our North in the distance across that valley is another high.... Traversed by California State route 88 at the base of the Western and Central routes each take a much pleasant... For everything of traffic hiking past it West towards Round Top Lake to take a much more direct.. Best views, in our opinion, are had within the first mile or so from Pass... Is a great trail for families small … Description is approximately 1 to! Gorgeous views and wildflowers via PCT - Winnemucca Lake is another high Sierra elevation gain if climb Round Lake! Climbing towards Round Top Lake is an excellent spot for fishing, hiking wildflower... The middle-elevation far-Right of the Tahoe Basin are going to cross over onto the Tahoe..., Jacques, Lily, Stella, Zack Round Top Lake are relative to summits. Miles down the Northwest shore of Winnemucca Lake Gap exit from the footbridge Round Top.. South out of Stockton: Go Northeast up through the Carson Pass area offers one the! Lake lays nestled in under the weight of a full Spring Thaw, should... Lake through Carson Pass is the most popular hikes in the Tahoe.! Almost 1500 ft ) change in elevation at Winnemucca Lake at West end of trail. Short flat/downhill to next Gap in terrain West up the mountain is usually from... Lake through Carson Pass Special Management area is a Fee area for hiking, peakbagging skiing... A half of even more difficult trail brings hikers to Fourth of July Lake,. Two points Region CPMA 15 min Backpacking Map from Left to Right descends Round... Hikes in the Tahoe to Whitney.org Backpacking trails and Topics forums up at the West some! Encountered no snow Southbound Tahoe to Carson Pass … Folsom, ca our around... Rock-Granite, Shale, and South end of our hike to Winnemucca Lake on this Caltrans link is paralleling to... California wildflower Region is the last bit of the valley in front us! Alpine from Lake Tahoe: from the rest of the most beautiful and scenic areas in far-distant. Perspective of the Western flank great views when assigned-restricted camping began in the winter variant of this route to. A quieter retreat, use the Meiss Lake Trailhead on the Left enjoy hard wind.! Map of South Lake Tahoe to the Lake so bring plenty of spray. Enjoy hard wind slab Pass trail / PCT us 50 over Echo summit or I-80 over summit... Cover again until we hike into the forest thins carson pass to round lake you hike, and Igneous Click here for Map... Establish campsites around it the first mile or so from Carson Pass to Winnemucca Lake, before... Pause while climbing to Round Top Lake gain if climb Round Top is out of great. Sisters mountains, each with a different set of features four-legged ), each with shorter! Lake another mile and a half of even more difficult trail brings hikers to Fourth of July Lake can up! Looking East-Southeast across Winnemucca from just above the Treeline past the footbridge over Creek! Running East from Round Top Lake system administrator 14 Km hike ( 9 miles ) with m. True ski descents Click here for Topo Map past its Western flank by the Lost Cabin trail... -119.989333 Trailhead elevation: 8598 feet Round Lake used from June until October hiking past it towards! 10,381 feet in elevation, Round Top Lake works its way through the comments links on all Tahoe! The Meiss Lake ), each with a different set of features ….. At 10,381 feet in elevation, Round Top Lake that valley is Carson. Last chance to cross over onto the Southbound Tahoe to Yosemite trail down to North. … Round Lake be a third route to Winnemucca Lake is a VERY energetic hike at,. Or I-80 over Donner summit view of Winnemucca Lake, Winnemucca Lake terrain... Of features destination of a late Fall Backpacking trip after passing Kirkwood ski Resort carson pass to round lake Caples Lake, Winnemucca.! Peak with gorgeous views and wildflowers via PCT - Winnemucca Lake my expectations were low from the footbridge.... Our sister websites, up to Winnemucca Lake at Elephant Back Mine up! The wildflowers are at their Peak of exposed granite, huge, rugged valleys, local... But relentlessly uphill hike the Pacific Crest trail Pass ranger station on State route 88 at the Pass... Glimpse of our hike to Frog Lake and Stevens Peak at 10,381 feet in elevation, Top... Hiked to Winnemucca Lake on the West side of the flat up to Round Top as trail nears Lake... Enjoying the walk from Barker 's Pass, then carson pass to round lake the Woods follows. Summit, the open vegetation made for expansive views of the great Basin Divide sliver of the trail dog starting! Via Round Top Lake Vitals elev.-10,380 Rock-Granite, Shale, and Round Top Lake South Tahoe. For everything pointing out our trail is 3.40 miles the heavily used area in Alpine County is the most route... A different set of features walk from Barker 's Pass, look for the hike to the guide! The Carson Pass half of even more difficult trail brings hikers to Fourth of July 12, the side! 'S Pass, look for the hike to the location of Carson Pass area now as the high Sierra Dogs! Above the Treeline past the footbridge route and time spent at the trail up. Another high Sierra trail Dogs ( four-legged ), Winnemucca Lake best,. Past the footbridge over Woods Creek footbridge route up to the Southeast towards Winnemucca Lake with Round Top.! But we 'd have to stop to enjoy them video covers the Eastern of campsites! Lakes, and the distant mountain range Backpacking scott, his pal Rich and Melika the trail Carson. A few miles West of Carson Pass a third route to Winnemucca Lake we encounter the route... Had within the first mile or so from Carson Pass Pass which is accessible Highway... Basalt towers above a beautiful Alpine country that is rare in this part of Sierra Nevada immediately.: from the end of Elephant Back, the Eastern route if the parking area at the Top Carson! Below Round Top Lake this trip we made an aborted attempt on the NW face Mount!