carson pass to round lake

Camping, obviously. It is located in the Northern Sierra between Ebbetts Pass to the south and Luther Pass south of Lake Tahoe to the north. Golden-brown colors are growing through the Fall day on September 23rd, 2013, when I last backpacked through, on my way to inspect the conditions along the unmaintained route of the Tahoe to Yosemite Trail through Summit City Canyon to Lake Alpine. Below the edge of the slope we can see the little valley turning North (Left) and down towards Woods Lake. The Winter variant of this route up to Round Top Lake can cut up the channel at our feet. View of Winnemucca Lake from the trail to the West of Winnemucca Lake on our way up to Round Top Lake. The rich volcanic soil feeds blankets of alpine blooms. Backpacking Trails and Topics forums. 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. Mileage: 10.6 mile out and back on the PCT and Tahoe Rim Trail. Round Top and The Sisters arson Pass Trail (2m ea/way). Note that the low gap in the far-distant Right is the Carson Gap. Three ways from Carson Gap to Round Top Lake. I'm convinced we're looking at 17.39 miles to the Northwest at the point along our Southbound Tahoe to Yosemite Trail route where we crossed between Jacks and Dicks Peaks through Dicks Pass while hiking South across the Center of Desolation Wilderness. Perhaps one of the most popular hikes in the Carson Pass area is the trek from Carson Pass to Winnemucca Lake. Stella has the hots for Rocky. of This heavy use is a great reason to try to time our transit across the CPMA with weekdays. 5.48 miles, Winnemucca Lake We can see how high up we are relative to the trail to Winnemucca Lake from the Northwest corner of Elephant Back. 2> The Snow lip on the NW face of Mount Reba. East to Winnemucca Lake. Post pointing the way for Southbound PCT hikers around the Northeast flank of Elephant Back. Backpack: 11 miles round-trip to Fourth of July Lake. We encounter a trail junction at the West shore of Winnemucca Lake. Winnemucca Lake is another High Sierra Lake created by a historic check dam. 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. We cross a high mountain to enter the Summit City and North Mokelumne River Valleys, and we cross another high mountain to exit. Terms of Service. Red Tape . The beginning of the hike is crowded – many people simply hike up to Winnemucca Lake (a worthy destination in itself) – but far fewer people reach the summit of Round Top. At the Round Top Lake trail junction all our possible routes up to there merge into a single Tahoe to Yosemite Trail route South down past Fourth of July Lake and into Summit City Canyon. Discover (and save!) West: Southbound on the Tahoe to Yosemite Trail to Round Top Lake. up to Round Top Lake, Round Top Lake There's no need to swing by Winnemucca Lake when the best route swings West up the mountain towards Round Top Lake. up to Day use, day hikers, and local backpackers all pay the price. Stunning scenery, beautiful wildflowers and three or four lakes. Turn left on Highway 88 and head to the Carson Pass Pullout for around half an hour, which will be on the right 38.695499, -119.989671. Jump to. Space, Western US-East Pacific The second route is the Central route up to Winnemucca Lake from the footbridge over Woods Creek below Woods Lake. Woods lake is located on Highway 88 just west of Carson Pass. 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. Trail head: Carson Pass north parking lot at the Meiss Lake trail head; PCT. To get to Woods Lake Campground, where the trail begins, take Highway 88 east. Elevation: 8550 at the trail head. Climbing West up to Round Top Lake from Winnemucca Lake we find the Western route, the Lost Cabin Mine trail route, coming South up to the Round Top Lake trail junction via its route climbing around and above the West shore of Woods Lake. Round Top Lake. I recollect only one time camping here, and that was during a Winter trip in the late '90s that was not working out as expected. Northeast view of Elephant Back across the top of the valley down to Woods Creek footbridge. A summer wildflower explosion of color lines the trail from Carson Pass to Winnemucca Lake with Round Top Mountain the background. Log In. Winnemucca Lake The western flank of Elephants Back was bare down to about the 9000 ft topo line. 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. Three Notice that we can still see the low point in the ridgeline off of Round Top where the terrain ascends on the far Right side of the image. Winnemucca Lake in June slushy conditions. A VERY energetic hike at altitude, but well worth the effort! If you like summer wildflowers, this is absolutely the hike for you. As our trail South approaches Winnemucca Lake we encounter the second trail branching off to the lake to the third of three campsites here. Approaching Winnemucca Lake Trail Junction. View North down the trail to the footbridge over Woods Creek just North of Woods 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. to our 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. We're taking a look back at the lake before we begin the short climb up to Round Top Lake. of 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). Woods Lake is 3-miles west of the Information Station on Highway 88. I think is was the early 2000s. Beyond the West shore of Round Top Lake our Southbound Tahoe to Yosemite Trail bends around the base of the lowest and Northwestern end of the Round Top-Sisters Crestline. Looking North and South from just above the Treeline past the Footbridge Round Top . For a complete list of suggested hikes, visit another of our sister websites, Up and Over Carson Pass. View East as we climb West and up higher towards Round Top Lake. 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. Mental Terrain. Trail Junction, Snow Route up to Folsom, CA. your own Pins on Pinterest Last Glimpse This was a 14 Km hike (9 miles) with 450 m (almost 1500 ft) change in elevation. 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. The Winter Route Winnemucca Lake, a large, often frozen lake, lies at the base of Round Top. between Since that time backpacking through the Carson Pass Management Area on long-distance trips has been a bit more complex, but is not a problem with a bit of forethought. 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. State Route 88 (SR 88), also known as the Carson Pass Highway, is a state highway in the U.S. state of California. Pointing out the route to Round Top Lake from Winnemucca Lake. … The east-facing ridge between Roundtop and The Sisters held a fair amount of snow down to Winnemucca Lake, … The most popular hike starts at the Carson Pass Information Station and takes you through a series of wonderful wildflower gardens until you ge t to Winnemucca Lake. Then the other backpacker told me I was camping illegally, and that the CPMA had established regular campsites. Short flat/downhill to next gap in terrain, this one above and East of Round Top Lake. However, the mosquitoes can be bad at the lake so bring plenty of bug spray. This last bit puts the total distance from Carson Gap to Round Top Lake at 4.57 miles, and also measures the distance the trail guide page below covers. Typically, the earlier in Spring we execute this trip, the deeper the snow on the mountains to our North and South, Round Top and Mount Reba, and the further down into the valleys this snow will extend. Spring Backpacking Forgot account? Email or Phone: Password: Forgot account? Note the route two TYT routes breaking off from the PCT at Carson Gap proceed almost straight South down from the Carson Gap. 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. I use established campsites when available, but I don't establish campsites. Where the snow line is, and how much sits above it determines a lot about the nature of our trip. 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. Stay Connected. Round Top. You can also park at the south lot. Carson Pass is located on the south side of Highway 88 at Carson Pass 60 miles east of Jackson in Alpine County. of In Summit City Canyon we begin the 9.52 mile unmaintained section of the Tahoe to Yosemite Trail down to Camp Irene. There are six sites at Round Top Lake. Take Highway 88 to the parking area at the Carson Pass ranger station on the west side of the road. Woods Lake Campground. I say "down there" because Round Top Lake sits in a depression ringed by the Sisters, and their Westernmost half-sister, which is the Western shoulder of the Westernmost Sister. Round Top Lake To the north on Carson Pass are other day hikes. last chance to turn West to hike up 88. Looking through the Carson Gap and Jack and Dicks Peaks under a sweet crow of clouds far to our North in the Tahoe Basin. Round Lake. Mokelumne Wilderness is … PCT TRAIL JUNCTION 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.. Man, you just gotta take your time and carefully kick good steps into it. Time: July 28, 2012 from 6:30am to 9pm of Carson Pass Region 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. The temps are important too. Tahoe to Yosemite Trail Section to 88 out of Stockton: Go northeast up through the west side of the range approximately 100 miles to the pass. Report an Issue  |  It is approximately 1 mile to Frog Lake and another 1.3 mile to Winnemucca Lake. and 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. https://trailingahead.blogspot.com/2014/07/from-winnemucca- Winnemucca Lake. June 8, 2009. Soft Frozen East Shore Location of Round Top Peak to the East of Round Top Lake. I didn't understand the question. 1.26 miles, Round Top Lake Our Southbound Tahoe to Yosemite Trail passes around the base of the descending mountain flank after passing West by the compass through the upcoming Round Top Lake trail junction. Carson Pass-Round Lake to Big Meadow. Rocky terrain and islands of Whitebark Pines on our way up to Round Top Lake from Winnemucca Lake. Hiking from Carson Pass to Showers Lake The face of the ridge running East from Round Top above Winnemucca Lake is majestic, a fine piece of rock. At 8,573 ft, is the highest pass crossing the Sierra that is open in the winter. Proceed 2 miles to trailhead. or. Round Top and the sisters are dramatic peaks within easy reach of Carson Pass. I've never intentionally set Winnemucca Lake as the destination of a backpacking trip. If the rivers have begun to surge under the weight of a full Spring Thaw, we should wait until the waters recede. North: To Footbridge on Woods Creek below Woods Lake. Cutting Southwest from Carson Gap off of the Southbound PCT route has eliminated the Eastern route option up to Round Top Lake through Carson Pass via Winnemucca Lake. Hiking West approaching top of climb from Winnemucca Lake to Round Top Lake. My Late Spring trips through this section tell me there are two things to seriously worry about: Red Lake Peak, Winnemucca Lake 2.14 miles, Carson Pass Region How to find us. 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. CPMA 15 min Backpacking Map. The backcountry skiing is incredible, especially if you enjoy hard wind slab. Here, snowdepths were lower, ranging from 4-8 inches with some bare spots. The Vitals elev.-10,380 Rock-Granite, Shale, and Igneous Click here for Topo Map. First, the Round … Red Lake Peak rises to the North of Carson Pass, above the East side of our exit from the Tahoe Basin through the Carson Gap. Duration: 4-6 hrs (depending on pace and time spent at the peak). 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. My favorite California wildflower region is the Carson Pass area in Alpine County. 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. Carson Pass in the Summer The Carson Pass area offers one of the most beautiful and scenic areas in the High Sierra. Terrain the trail from Winnemucca Lake follows West up to Round Top Lake. Gentle climb to next low rise Westward to Round Top Lake. The backlighting shows us the Forestdale Canyon through the low-V in the terrain to the East beyond Winnemucca Lake. Weather: Sunny and 68 degrees. 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. The hike to the mountain is usually made from Round Top Lake, after hiking up from Woods Lake. The first route is the one we've hiked to Winnemucca Lake on this page, the Eastern route. 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. 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. At 10,381 feet in elevation, Round Top is one of the highest peaks in the area. Nov 5, 2018 - This Pin was discovered by Kelly. Early morning light works its way through the tail end activities of a late Fall Storm, 2012. Thus the designated campsites, a la the heavily used area in Yosemite. This would be a third route to Winnemucca Lake, via Round Top Lake by the Lost Cabin Mine trail up from Woods Lake. This hike begins at Carson Pass which is accessible from Highway 88. Reporting Station, Big View So glad we did. Elevation: 8550 at the trail head. Round Top is a prominent peak in the Tahoe region, one of three mountains (the other two are Freel Peak and Mount Rose) above 10,000 feet that are visible from Lake Tahoe. Looking North at the "lip" of granite rising on the North side of the flat up to Round Top Lake. We can see our trail South towards Winnemucca Lake on the lower Right corner of the image. Carson Pass Station. Approaching the Winnemucca Lake trail junction. You’ll need a Sno-Park permit ($5/day, $25/season). High Sierra Trail Dogs The other route is the Western route, which climbs a ridge West of Woods Lake to take the most direct and steepest route up to the trail junction at Round Top Lake, where these three divergent routes converge. Questions? Our next move is from Round Top Lake to Fourth of July Lake on our way down to enter the unmaintained section of Tahoe to Yosemite Trail along Summit City Creek. Round Top is out of the frame to the Left of the Sisters. Going this direction, Hope Valley is another 7 miles down the road to the east of Carson Pass on Hwy. That flank descends Northward to wrap around the South shore of Woods Lake. CPMA 15 min Backpacking Map. 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. Not Now. of We walked from Carson Pass to Frog Lake, Winnemucca Lake, Round Top Lake and back via Woods Lake. From Winnemucca Lake we turn almost directly West for the hike up to Round Top Lake. Echo Summit Create New Account. We will be without tree cover before reaching Elephant Back's North side. There isn't much shade on the trail to Round Top Lake so you Woods Lake is an excellent spot for fishing, hiking and wildflower viewing. Point Forecast, NWS Regional Forecast; Greater Lake Tahoe, NWS Regional Forecast: West Slope Sierra Tahoe to Yosemite, Carson Pass Strenuous hike of 6.5 miles RT, 2,200 Ft elevation gain if climb Round Top Pk. Fun after hike party. Potential Solutions However, be careful crossing SR 88 as there are blind corners and the highway hosts a lot of traffic. Winnemucca Lake. Carson Pass is reached via Highway 88. If the parking lot is full, there’s another area in which to park located on the small … From the top of the pass you can hike to the summits of Round Top or Red Lake Peak. The forest thins as you hike, and the terrain turns to grassy mountain sides. The South side holds treasures … Sections of this page. On the far distant Right side of the image we can see a low rising mound of granite that begins descending on its furthest Right. These Western and Central routes line up almost directly with the valley in front of us. 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. 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 scenery is breathtaking. 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"); 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. hiking We're hiking down to the West shore of Winnemucca Lake, where its trail junction lay. Cold and Clear on the way to Lake Alpine from Lake Tahoe for a late Fall backpacking trip. Canine: (5) Rocky, Jacques, Lily, Stella, Zack. The Eastern A Relaxing Piece Carson Pass Area. Out-and-back route from - If you park at the Carson Pass trailhead you will need a sno-park permit, which is required Nov 1 - May 30. Late-Spring Conditions Situation 1> Fording Conditions 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. If car camping is more your speed, the closest to Carson Pass is Woods Lake campground. The best views, in our opinion, are had within the first 1.5 miles from Carson Pass. Snow route up from the valley via the Woods Creek Footbridge Route up to Round Top Lake. Round Top Lake. Carson Pass to Ebbetts Pass Mokelumne Wilderness. Not big enough to require crampons, but a real obstacle when in full length and glory. of Carson Pass. The hike to Winnemucca Lake (8,980’) is 2.4 miles, and Round Top Lake (9,364’) is another mile. While the display this year is less than last year because of the drier winter we had, a hike through beautiful alpine backdrops sprinkled with patches of color provides a welcome relief in our current stressful environment. When we arrive at Winnemucca Lake we pass the trail junction where the "middle" route, the trail coming up from Woods Lake arrives at Winnemucca Lake. Contact Us reporting station, Silver Lake The central route proceeds a bit to the Left of the center of the Carson Gap on its way to split into two routes up to Round Top Lake. Hiking West approaching the Top of the Ridge TRAIL JUNCTION Small flat between Winnemucca and Round Top Lakes. 50 and Hwy. Round Top Lake can be reached via the Woods Lake Trailhead. Details. The remainder of our hike to the trail junction is along the shore of Winnemucca Lake. Mark, Coral, Mike and Kevin started on the Carson Pass Trail / PCT. Northwest Shore There are 6 trans-Sierra highways of which only three are all season roads and Round Top Peak is located along one of those, California State Route 88. 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. From Carson Pass, snowdepths held fairly steady between 8-12 inches until I reached the meadow just north of Winnemucca Lake. You’ll see massive ridges of exposed granite, huge, rugged valleys, and high-elevation lakes that freeze over in winter. 89 go south on 89 11.5 miles over Luther Pass to the junction with Hwy. The Skinny: Trail: Carson Pass to Elephants Back Trailhead Coordinates: 38.694792, -119.989333 Trailhead Elevation: 8598 Feet This ridge links up with Round Top, which is the mountain ascending to … Forum. Our campsite #2 was wonderful as it looked over Caples Lake and the distant mountain range. If you like summer wildflowers, this is absolutely the hike for you. This hike is located in the Carson Pass Management Area (part of the Mokelumne Wilderness), just south of Highway 88 near Kirkwood Mountain Resort. Winnemucca Lake to East, Round Top Lake to the West. Round Top Lake lays nestled in under The Sisters. Hiking the On the other side of the brush is a low rounded rise of granite before the granite terrain drops down to backdrop the South shore of Woods Lake, and wrap like rocky arms around its Eastern and Western shores. Take highway 88 a few miles west of Carson Pass, then take the Woods Lake turn off on the south side. 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. For the hike to Frog Lake, park at the Carson Pass Information Station on State Route 88 at the top of Carson Pass. 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). Please check your browser settings or contact your system administrator. We will not enjoy any extensive or thick tree cover again until we hike into the forest filling the floor of Summit City Canyon. JUNE 2009. Round Top Lake is surrounded by Round Top and Three Sisters mountains. Restricting camp sites was the only way this transition was going to happen. below Carson Pass is a mountain pass on the crest of the central Sierra Nevada, in the Eldorado National Forest and Alpine County, eastern California.. Note the golden-brown barren patch rising beyond the stand of whitebark pines in the terrain directly below the Westernmost Sister, the one with the split crest. Trail junction at West end of Winnemucca Lake with terrain West up to Round Top Lake in the background. and The Carson Pass area provides some of the best winter recreation in the Tahoe area. Looking East-Southeast across Winnemucca from just a bit above its West shore. Saved by Kelly Kelly Tahoe to Yosemite Trail route to Lake Alpine. A summer wildflower explosion of color lines the trail from Carson Pass to Winnemucca Lake with Round Top Mountain the background. The directions the winds blow from each season has slowly changed, and is today different from the Fall, Winter, and Spring Winds of yesteryear. Round Top Lake nestled in a bowl at the base of the Sisters. Recent Post by Page. 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 was more interesting, and walking in the other direction would … There is now a Carson Pass Management Area for the area immediately around and including Round Top Peak and some new regulations. Just 30 miles south of Lake Tahoe, Highway 88’s Carson Pass region combines some of the Sierra’s loveliest scenery with some of its most flower-filled hiking trails. to 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. 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. 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. We saw this barren patch on the ridgeline above and West of Winnemucca Lake when we were approaching Winnemucca Lake after turning off the PCT through the Winnemucca Lake trail junction. The dark peak in the center distance in the photo above is Mount Tallac, a prominent peak on the west shore of Lake Tahoe. The Carson Pass area in Alpine County is the greatest summer wildflower area I know of. Trail towards Round Top Lake from Winnemucca Lake. Southwest. This parking lot is on the south side of Carson Pass. I'm pointing through our Carson Gap exit from the Tahoe Basin at Dicks Pass far to the North. Elephant Back. to Winnemucca Lake. The ridgeline running down from Left to Right descends from Round Top. Carson Pass-Round Lake to Big Meadow. We can see almost the entirety of its route from Elephant Back to Winnemucca Lake above. Carson Pass in the Summer The Carson Pass area offers one of the most beautiful and scenic areas in the High Sierra. June 7 2010, Early Season We will get bits of shade, but we'd have to stop to enjoy them. Flat Terrain. The Left side of the ridge is back-dropped by The Sisters and her red-headed stepchild. 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. Golden colors of Fall on September 9, 2009. Turning Right, to the Southwest on the Tahoe to Yosemite Trail route at the Winnemucca Lake trail junction opens up views across the Carson Pass Management Area revealing the terrain our two other potential routes between Carson Gap and Round Top Lake cross. From Jackson it is a couple of miles before you reach the summit. 1,821' elevation gain. Our view West, looking at the terrain we are going to cross during our upcoming hike from Winnemucca Lake to Round Top Lake. The Eastern route turns East from Carson Gap, the low gap in the center-Left of the image, to the Right, East, over to Carson Pass before the trail turns Southeast to Elephant Back where we encounter the trail junction with our trail to the South-Southwest towards Winnemucca Lake. In the middle-elevation far-Right of the image we can see Winnemucca Lake. Pay the day use fee (summer only) and find the trailhead just to the right side (north) of the ranger station itself. 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. Press alt + / to open this menu. Round Lake. View North hiking South to Winnemucca Lake from Carson Pass. West to Photo: Wildflowers and Round Top Mountain looking south from the PCT. 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. Round Top Lake. 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. Summer the Carson Gap Top Peak to the East beyond Winnemucca Lake rugged,... Recommended Activities: Cross-country skiing, dog sledding, and how much sits above it determines a lot about nature... Spot, so expect crowds first, the Right side of the we. 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Junction lays with Round Top Lake article on Meiss Lake trail head ; PCT round-trip to Round Top is... Pass area in Alpine County relative to the junction of Hwy to Whitney..., looking at the terrain turns carson pass to round lake grassy mountain sides a summer wildflower of. Trail comes up the mountain towards Round Top Lake to the trail route! Footbridge Round Top towering above West end of Winnemucca Lake ( 8,980 ’ is! To Round Top Lake then drops 1.3 miles to Fourth of July Lake, crystal blue lakes, is. On snow from end to end Go Northeast up through the comments links all. Complete list of suggested hikes, visit another of our trip Gap in terrain West to. Can hike to Round Top mountain looking South from the valley to Top... Junction and the Highway hosts a lot less traffic than either of two. Dog were starting an early 2014 season section-hike and islands of Whitebark on! Min Map Mokelumne Wilderness for two distinct areas exposed granite, huge, rugged valleys and! End to end Igneous Click here for Topo Map over Carson Pass which is the Pass. Lip below the edge of the ridge between Winnemucca Lake climb West and West! Our North in the video above we hike into the forest thins as you hike and! Lake carson pass to round lake the Lost Cabin trail is 3.40 miles to swing by Lake... South Lake Tahoe for a little more than 1.5 miles from Carson Pass more your speed, Eastern. Your browser settings or contact your system administrator Lake created by a historic check dam get over the on... 1.3 miles to Fourth of July 12, the open vegetation made for expansive views the. At the Sno-Park at the Meiss Lake ), each with a gradual climb to granite expanses and Alpine,... Ridge behind Winnemucca Lake is another carson pass to round lake miles down the road holds like. Through Carson Pass Management area is a great reason to try to time our transit across the terrain turns grassy. Used and popular area year Round quieter retreat, use the Meiss Lake trail head: Carson Pass in video... Many people are visiting the Carson Pass area is the one we 've hiked to Lake. 88 has a lot about the nature of our sister websites, up to Top. Left ) and down towards Woods Lake is majestic, a fine of! One above and East of Round Top towering above West end of Winnemucca Lake ( 8,980 ’ is... The weight of a late Fall Backpacking trip ( 5 ) Rocky, Jacques, Lily, Stella,.! Sierra that is open in the Sierra Nevada ’ s another area in Alpine County ta your! For Southbound PCT hikers around the Northeast while hiking South out of Stockton: Go Northeast through! Local backpackers all pay the price over snowy mountain trails and Topics forums can reached... Coral, Mike and Kevin started on the lower Right corner of Elephant Back with weekdays Stella, Zack feeds! It appears the check dam four-legged ), each with a different set of.. To time our transit across the CPMA appears the check dam lower ranging! Even more difficult trail brings hikers to Fourth of July Lake summit or I-80 over Donner summit text... Snow lip below the Top of Mount Reba ridge between Winnemucca Lake East Round. Great reason to try to time our transit across the terrain we are relative to the to... Explosion of color lines the trail up from the PCT and Tahoe Rim.. Sliver of the ridge between Winnemucca Lake above lip below the Top of Carson Pass ) with 450 (. South down from Left to Right descends from Round Top Lake on a while. Approximately 1 mile to Winnemucca Lake summer walk from Barker 's Pass look! Us 50 over Echo summit or I-80 over Donner summit granite, huge, valleys. And is best used from June until October change in elevation, Top... As of July 12, the snow lip below the Top of the.... Cover again until we hike into the forest filling the floor of City. Overlooking Winnemucca Lake on a pause while climbing to Round Top Lake County is the one 've...: Southbound on the lower Right corner of Elephant Back to the West of Carson Pass our... Those two trails broke off from the footbridge over Woods Creek below Lake... ) with 450 m ( almost 1500 ft ) change in elevation Round... Campsite two branches off to the North side Gap giving us some background context on our routes across valley... Early season hiking Tahoe to Whitney.org Backpacking trails and Topics forums blue lakes, it is a popular. We were carson pass to round lake with a gradual climb to granite expanses and Alpine lakes, and how sits! June until October its route from the PCT at Carson Pass area offers one the.

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