Wildflowers and Beyond at Woods Lake and Round Top
Details
Hey all. Sorry about the very early start time on this one, but the parking lot at Woods Lake can fill up quite early so it's good to get there early. I do encourage carpooling from the Sacramento area for just that reason, but if you're coming in from out of the area not a worry.
If you need to contact me the day of the event please contact me on my cellphone at 916-343-3408.
This is going to be a slow paced hike, so if you're going to be in a rush please don't join. We're (hopefully) at the peak of the wildflower season right now, so we'll do plenty of stopping to observe and photograph them. This is a well know area for flowers!
This hike will take us on the trail to the the views of Round Top and then on to Winnemucca and Round Top Lake. There will be plenty of opportunity to stop and take home your own photos of the scenery. Round Top Lake is an excellent place to chill and have lunch (and a swim?).
Length: Approximately 5.1 miles round trip.
Elevation Gain: Almost 1,100 feet starting at 8,232 feet elevation of Woods Lake to 9,347 at the Round Top Lake.
SUGGESTED ITEMS TO BRING (blatantly copied and pasted from from Allan Weissman...): Cotton not recommended. 3 liters water, light rain shell and fleece for warmth in case of thunderstorms, sturdy shoes or boots, pain meds and/or first aid, sunhat, sunscreen and lip-balm, lunch, whistle, hiking poles, cellphone, and mosquito repellent. There will be mosquitoes.
A few Important points (please read all).
- Please don't ask when we're going to be back. It all depends on how fast or slow we want to go, and I'm not going to rush anyone. I believe in a smell the flowers (literally) kind of pace. Please don't be in a hurry.
- RSVPs are limited to comply with wilderness rules. If you sign up show up. NO SHOWS AND LATE CANCELLATIONS ARE NOT OKAY. There is a limit of 12 people per group. When someone no shows it means someone on the waitlist, if there is one, didn't get to go. If the waitlist gets big I may message for confirmation, so please keep an eye out.
- Will depart park as soon as we can because of limited parking at the trailhead----call or text me at 916-343-3408 if running late.
- NOTE! If you plan on being a passenger in a car, two things. Bring separate shoes to wear in the car, and a bag to put your hiking boot/shoes in. And bring cash for your driver. Not everyone uses electronic payments.
Directions from Iron Point Park & Ride (Folsom)
- Go east on U.S. 50 to Sly Park Road (2nd Pollock Pines exit) (Approx 35.0 miles.)
- Make a right to go southbound on Sly Park Road. (Approx. 4.6 miles)
- Turn left (eastbound) on Mormon Emigrant Trail (a hard to find turn with only a small green street sign, but there is a country store called "Slypark Resort" on the right just before the turn. (Note: If you miss this critical left turn "you're toast" because you'll be lost forever!!!)
- After successfully turning onto Mormon Emigrant Trail, go eastbound for approximately 25 miles until hitting Hwy 88.
- Turn Left (eastbound) on Hwy 88. Go Past Kirkwood. Caples Lake Dam is at approx 12.6 miles. Go past the Caples Lake Dam which is at approximately 12.6. Take the Woods Lake Campground exit (Approx 3.2 miles east of Caples Lake Dam and 1.7 miles west of Carson Pass) If you have gone to Carson Pass at the top of the grade you have gone too far. Follow the paved road approx 1.5 miles to the campground, then turn to your right just before the campground and park in the day-use parking area. There is a parking fee. Can’t recall if it’s $5.00 or $10.00 so plan accordingly.
The trail head is labeled for Winnemucca Lake and begins by a wooden bridge spanning Woods Creek.
Looking forward to it!
And here it is on Google Maps;
Wildflowers and Beyond at Woods Lake and Round Top