Hike to Frog Lake and Winnemucca Lake: This popular hike for wildflowers and alpine scenery leaves from the Carson Pass parking lot. It is approximately 1 mile to Frog Lake and another 1.3 mile to Winnemucca Lake. From there the trail climbs another 1.1 mile to Round Top Lake then drops 1.3 miles to Fourth of July Lake. For pictures of the hike to Round Top Lake, see Woods Lake Loop. At the height of the flower season, this hike can’t be beat!
Hike to Emigrant Lake: The trailhead is located at the spillway parking lot at the west end of Caples Lake. This 4.3 mile trail runs along the lake’s southern shoreline then heads up past streams and cascades to lovely Emigrant Lake, hidden among rocky cliffs and boulders. Flowers are abundant all along the trail, particularly in streambeds.
Hike to Lake Margaret: The Lake Margaret trailhead is located off Highway 88 between Caples Lake and Kirkwood. This 2.5 mile trail runs along Caples Creek then cross-country and up to beautiful Lake Margaret. During flower season it is full of tiger lilies, patches of giant broad-leaf lupine, and shoulder-high cow parsnip.
Hike the Meiss Meadow and Lake Area: The Meiss parking lot is on the north side of Highway 88, just west of Carson Pass. The main trail leads to Meiss Col (1.4 miles), Meiss Meadow, Meiss Lake (4 miles), and Showers Lake (5.1 miles). A branching trail leads to Round Lake (5 miles). The beautiful views, varied scenery, and plentiful wildflowers, make this a favorite hiking area.
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From the trailhead to Meiss Col the trail climbs through patches of many-hued paintbrush, lupine, and mule ears. Over the Col, the trail winds down into Meiss Meadow and on to Meiss Lake. The iris blooming on the Col are legendary.
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From Meiss Lake the trail continues through a forested area then climbs through flowered hillsides up to Showers Lake.
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As you wander through Meiss Meadow you’ll spot a trail sign to the Round Lake Trail (also called the Tahoe Rim Trail). It wanders through meadows and forest until you reach the lake.
Hike the Woods Lake Loop: The entrance to the Woods Lake area is 1.9 miles west of Carson Pass on the south side of Highway 88. The distance from the entrance to trailhead parking (on the right) is a little less than 2 miles. The trails to Round Top and Winnemucca Lakes leave from this parking lot; both are 2.5 miles. A 1.1 mile trail between Winnemucca Lake and Round Top Lake completes the loop.While there are many wonderful trails near Caples Lake, the Woods Lake loop is the favorite of this photographer! The trail description is broken up into the three segments that form the loop.
Woods Lake to Winnemucca Lake: From the parking lot the trail crosses the road, then Woods Creek. It meanders through a forested area and then breaks out into flower-covered open slopes with a view of Round Top Mountain. From there the trail climbs to Winnemucca Lake. k
Winnemucca Lake to Round Top Lake: From Winnemucca Lake the trail climbs up rocky flower-covered slopes, past drainages full of flowers. When the trail drops over the ridge you can see Round Top Lake.
Round Top Lake To Woods Lake Trailhead: For the last leg of your journey, you’ll head back down to the Woods Lake Trailhead via the Lost Mine Trail, more beautiful views and abundant flowers.
