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Tag: carson pass

Hiking Winnemucca Lake (via Carson Pass in South Tahoe)

July 19, 2020
| 6 Comments
| Blog, South Lake Tahoe Hiking, Summer Trails
Alpine lake with mountains and snow in the background

The hike to Winnemucca Lake is one of the quintessential hikes of South Tahoe, especially when it comes to searching for summer wildflowers. Not only is the hiking trail to Winnemucca Lake a favorite by long-time Tahoe locals, it’s a mecca for wildflower enthusiasts from Sacramento to the Bay Area. Hiking to Winnemucca Lake is…

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Posted in Blog, South Lake Tahoe Hiking, Summer Trails Tagged carson pass, day hike, short hike, south tahoe 6 Comments

Hiking Red Lake Peak (via Carson Pass in South Tahoe)

January 13, 2020
| No Comments
| Blog, South Lake Tahoe Hiking, Summer Trails
Whitebark Pine and volcanic rock with blue skies and lake

Red Lake Peak is an exceptional hike that includes on and off-trail travel. Although half of the route to Red Lake Peak is off-trail, those few miles are easy to navigate because they’re across open terrain allowing you to see for miles in all directions. And, those views are incredible! You’ll see glimpses of Freel…

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Posted in Blog, South Lake Tahoe Hiking, Summer Trails Tagged carson pass, day hike, south tahoe Leave a comment

Hiking Frog Lake (via Carson Pass in South Tahoe)

January 13, 2020
| 4 Comments
| Blog, South Lake Tahoe Hiking
Mountains with patches of snow and a small lake

Hiking to Frog Lake is an ideal adventure for all ages and fitness levels because the trail to Frog Lake is relatively short and easy. In addition, once you reach Frog Lake you’ll be treated to exceptional views around the Carson Pass area. From Frog Lake, you can see: Then, as you continue to look…

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Posted in Blog, South Lake Tahoe Hiking Tagged carson pass, south tahoe 4 Comments

Overnight Cross-Country Ski Tour to Little Round Top Mountain (Carson Pass)

November 17, 2019
| 4 Comments
| Blog, South Lake Tahoe Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing, Winter Trails
Copyright © 2017 Jared Manninen

Winter at Lake Tahoe is great for choose-your-own adventures in the backcountry. There are additional considerations to take into account during winter travel. However, your options are plentiful when the snowpack is stable, you know your gear and its capabilities, and you’re willing to embrace your inner pioneer spirit. For this article, I outline one…

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Posted in Blog, South Lake Tahoe Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing, Winter Trails Tagged advanced, backcountry xc skiing, carson pass, ski tour, trail journal, trip documenting 4 Comments

Cross-Country Skiing & Snowshoeing to Winnemucca Lake

November 12, 2019
| No Comments
| Blog, South Lake Tahoe Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing, Winter Trails
Copyright © 2017 Jared Manninen

Traveling to Winnemucca Lake, accessible from Carson Pass, is a favorite activity year-round for locals and visitors to South Tahoe. In the summer, people hike the trail to Winnemucca Lake in order to find Sierra Nevada Wildflowers, to go swimming, and to fish. During the winter, people backcountry ski, cross-country ski, and snowshoe to Winnemucca…

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Posted in Blog, South Lake Tahoe Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing, Winter Trails Tagged advanced, carson pass, intermediate, snowplay, south tahoe Leave a comment

Cross-Country Skiing & Snowshoeing to Red Lake Peak

November 12, 2019
| 4 Comments
| Blog, South Lake Tahoe Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing, Winter Trails
Red Lake Peak and wind-scoured snow

For similar reasons that I enjoy hiking to Red Lake Peak during the warmer months, I love cross-country skiing to Red Lake Peak in the winter. Those reasons include: ease of access via the north lot of the Carson Pass Sno-Park; line-of-sight travel thanks to the wide open terrain you’ll cover; sweeping panoramic views (again,…

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Posted in Blog, South Lake Tahoe Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing, Winter Trails Tagged advanced, carson pass, intermediate, south tahoe 4 Comments

Cross-Country Skiing & Snowshoeing at Carson Pass (Three-Lake Loop to Woods Lake, Winnemucca Lake, and Frog Lake)

November 11, 2019
| 2 Comments
| Blog, South Lake Tahoe Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing, Winter Trails
Copyright © 2018 Jared Manninen

Cross-country skiing to Woods Lake, Winnemucca Lake, and Frog Lake in a loop is one of my favorite cross-country ski tours at Carson Pass. Although the route is only 6-7 miles, it features over 1,000 feet of elevation gain and it’s all in backcountry terrain above 8,000 feet. The higher elevation also makes Carson Pass…

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Posted in Blog, South Lake Tahoe Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing, Winter Trails Tagged advanced, carson pass, intermediate 2 Comments

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Top Tahoe Trail Guide Posts

Hiking the Historic Donner Pass Train Tunnels in Truckee, CA
Short and Easy Hikes in South Lake Tahoe
Hiking Rubicon Trail (via Emerald Bay in South Tahoe)
Hiking Fallen Leaf Lake (on its East Side via SR 89)
Hiking Mount Rose (via Mount Rose HWY/SR 431 near Incline Village, NV)
Hiking Tahoe Meadows (via Mount Rose HWY/SR 431 near Incline Village, NV)
Hiking Freel Peak (via Forest Service RD 051 near Luther Pass in South Tahoe)
Hiking Freel Peak, Jobs Sister, and Jobs Peak in a Day (via FS Rd 051, near Luther Pass in South Tahoe)
Hiking Meeks Creek Falls (via SR 89 at Meeks Creek in West Tahoe)
Hiking Emerald Point (north side of Emerald Bay in South Tahoe)

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Although I encourage you to venture out of your comfort zone, you need to know your limits and when to turn back. Tahoe Trail Guide and its contributors are not liable for property loss or damage, personal injury, or death. Always consult multiple sources when venturing into the backcountry. Always be prepared for the worst case scenario. Your safety is your responsibility. Tahoe Trail Guide copyright © 2016-2023 by Jared Manninen. All rights reserved.  This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Per the Associates Program Operating Agreement I must disclose the following statement: “As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases” when you buy something via an Amazon.com advertisement.