Winnemucca Lake

If you want a high-​sierra experience, wildflowers, alpine lakes, bald mountains, summer snow and fresh air, without the tough hike to elevation, the drive on up to Carson Pass and take the short hike up to Frog and Winnemucca Lakes.
This forest service area is at the top of highway 88 in Alpine county, just east of Kirkwood. There are two main parking areas, which fill quickly when the wildflowers are in season. Look for the small road just east of the station for additional parking options. There are pit toilets and room for horses, but be sure to pay the $ 5 fee in either lot. Groups limited to 10 people each.
This is a major junction of the pacific crest trail, so it has some extra supplies around for those weary hikers. Lots of info, brochures, maps and books in the station, but I’m not sure how often it is open. The trail to the lake is moderate due to the elevation over 9,500 feet, but nothing most people can’t do with a few breaks (2.5 miles each way, lots of children and aged folks take it). Don’t forget the frog lake turnoff and head to the other side for amazing vistas of the Hope valley.
When timed right in midsummer, the wildflower displays here are almost unrivaled in the sierra. You can find common and rare plant species, babbling brooks, old trees and wildlife all around. There are usually snow banks well into the summer here. Try for a weekday or weekend with a major event to avoid the crowds (we went during world cup finals). So head on up to the pass and have lunch at the amazing Winnemucca Lake for sore outdoor pretty.

Another great hike for kids. Took my little one (5) up here, she managed to complete the whole hike with only a little complaining. I was able to take a short detour at roughly the half way point to round top peak, which was well worth it (though i would not recommend taking kids up there).

A friend told us about a hike he had done into Showers lake, off hwy.88 on Carson Pass. It’s a bit of drive to get here from Sac, but once into the mountains it’s so beautiful. We got up early and headed up Hwy. 50 on Saturday morning, mid August. We then took Hwy. 89 south towards Markleeville to the junction with Hwy 88. Heading west, it’s a short drive to the Carson Pass Trailhead, where there is an information center. Parking was crowded so we opted to park just down the road on the right. This is the trailhead for Meiss meadows. I started talking with a gal in the parking lot, learning she had been coming up here for 20 years. She advised us to forget Showers lake and go into Winnemucca Lake, stating it is not as dry, and flowers would be at their peak this weekend. Her friend, a Botanist at U.C. Berkeley, says it’s one of the best places he’s been in Calif. for wildflowers. That sold us.
We headed out of the Carson Pass trailhead, towards Frog Lake, and then to Winnemucca Lake. While it is a fairly easy hike, with gradual elevation gain, you are at 9,000 ft, thus if not used to the elevation and thin air, it can be more challenging. The hike takes you through meadows of spectacular wildflowers. Lupine, Indian Paintbrush, etc are gorgeous with small streams and snow still on the ground in patches. We continued on to Winnemucca lake and it was so beautiful. A small, pristine, blue gem surrounded by Round Top mountains, capped with snow. We hiked to the far side of the lake and were completely alone to eat lunch and lay in the warm sun. Despite the snow surrounding the lake, I had to shed my clothes and skinny dip in this beautiful lake. Soooo cold, no swimming, just dive in and then climb back out to warm in the sun. I am used to swimming mountain lakes, but at 10,381 ft. and snow runoff still flowing in, this was a bit too cold, even for me.
If you love the beauty of the Sierra, spectacular show of flowers and want an enjoyable day hike, this is your spot. Spring comes late here, so it’s a great August hike. Enjoy!

What a hike! This lake is just over 2 miles off the road. It is a fairly easy trek that includes some breathtaking scenery. I went in late June and still ran into some patches of snow. It was awesome.
Approaching the lake I was almost in disbelief. The site is exquisite. The patches of surrounding snow, and the snow capped mountains on the perimeter of the lake were amazing.
Bug repellent is a MUST!!! I forgot to use it an ended up getting about 20 bug bites in the 4 hour period I was out there.
I definitely recommend this lake to anyone in the area willing to hike 4.8 miles. BEAUTIFUL!