Winnemucca Lake

On Saturday, 27 July, we joined our friend Joe and a different group he hikes with for a hike to Winnemucca Lake, in California just off Kit Carson Pass. We met at a shopping center near the south end of Reno, and carpooled to the trailhead. There is a new segment of freeway, opened just this past spring, that makes the trip to and through Carson City nearly non-stop. I don’t mean to bore people; it’s just that this was a pretty big event around here.

Anyway, for those unfamiliar with this part of the Sierra Nevada, Carson Pass is on CA SH 88 about 6 miles west of its intersection with SH 89 going north to Tahoe (Luther Pass), or about 16 miles west of the CA-NV state line south of Minden, NV. Kirkwood ski resort is only about 4 miles west of the pass. The new freeway makes the trip quicker than ever, and soon we were pulling into the parking area at the pass’s summit.

The trail starts south, sloping slightly upward into the forest. At one point, there is a tree whose trunk is twisted about 4' above the ground, which with the help of a rock placed there by the trail-builders makes it a wonderful seat for a photo opportunity. Too bad I don’t have any photos there I’m willing to post. But here is a nice photo of the trail in the trees.

You may recognize Joe's wide-brim hat.

After about ¾ mile (I guess), the trail emerges onto a grassy, rolling hillside.

Soon there is a minor trail that goes left, over a rise, past a small body of water called Frog Lake, leading to a rocky crag that overlooks the infamous Red Lake–infamous because the waters are currently a vibrant emerald green due to the algae. It may not show up well in the photo; you’ll just have to come see it in person.

Approaching Frog Lake

Panoramic view of Red Lake

Back down to the main trail, and on to the south and west we went. Soon we were on the side of a ridge looking west toward the beautiful and popular Caples Lake.

Caples Lake

A bit further on

It wasn’t much farther now! We had passed the rounded peak known as the Elephant’s Back, and the wildflowers were maybe not at their peak, but certainly putting up a good display.

Lilies of the Field

Elephant’s Back and some flowers

Past the ridge and over a small hill, and we were at our destination: Winnemucca Lake!

Uh-huh.

Yeah, it was kind of anti-climactic, especially since the sky had clouded over a little, dulling the first impression. However, while we were there I took a panoramic photo of the entire lake, and DW was moving around as I got to the end. I thought it made for an interesting effect:

See, I told you there were more pictures than last post! Three more, nearly a 50% increase.