Snowshoeing Carson pass to Round Top Lake

 January 2

Today’s adventure is a snowshoe hike from Carson Pass to Round Top Lake. The weather is fantastic. We have a couple of feet of snow on the ground with very warm temperatures and clear skies. Nine of us will be making the trek. 

The beginning of the trail is along the PCT, which always brings back good memories for me. 

We’ve arrived at the wilderness boundary and stopped for a nice group picture. Eight of us are very regulars on the hikes and our ninth has been on a few. Four of us had to come up with nicknames because we are all Daves. I go by my PCT name “All In”,  one of the Daves forgot his backpack. He did the same thing the last time we did this hike so we’ve named him “No Pack”.  We have “Loki” who got his name on our Iceland trip. Loki is the name of the Norse god of mischief. “D4” is our newest group member.

After we came through a trail section area with a fair amount of trees we get some views of the surrounding mountains; Round Top, with the Sisters to its right, and Elephant Back by itself.

Some of the trees still have snow covered branches. Round top is occasionally framed between trees as well offering a good photo background.

The trail opens up to a sparkly covered landscape. Today’s weather is extremely comfortable. The last time we hiked through here with snow shoes it was a bitter cold day with a fierce wind blowing across this open area. Today is much more enjoyable. The open mountain side offers, beautiful views in all directions

We have arrived at Winnemucca Lake. It is completely frozen over at this time of year.

Leaving Winnemucca Lake we climb another hill and over another pass on the way to round top Lake.

Round top Lake looks completely different in the winter. To me it seems much smaller. Many of the larger rocks that’s around. The lake are covered in snow and not identifiable.

The Lakeside was a good place to stop for lunch 

After a quick lunch break, we headed back up over the pass on our return trip 

Looking up at the skies that are becoming overcast there was one really pretty patch filled with rainbow colors

Our snow this morning was firm and crested over with ice. On the return trip now, about 2:40 in the afternoon, it is becoming somewhat soft and slushy. Somebody ahead of us, not in our group, appears to be posting pretty regularly. 

At our 6 mile mark the Carson pass visitor center cabin comes into view marking the end of our hike.  It was a beautiful day with great temperatures and fun people.  Our total distance was 6.09 miles with an elevation gain of 1093 feet.