Near: Carson Pass
Trip type: Cross Country Ski
Distance: 3-4 miles to the lake and back
Elevation: 8,600 to 8,200 feet
Vegetation: Pine Forest
Last Visit: April 2018
As the 2017-2018 ski season is drawing to a close, we finally got up to the back-country ski trails around Carson Pass. These trails aren't groomed, but are clearly marked and easy to follow. They do descend a few hundred feet from the parking areas at the Carson Pass and Meiss Meadow Sno Parks, so in icy conditions they'll be a little challenging for novice skiers. On warm days with soft, consolidated old snow, they should make for a great intro to back country skiing for novice skiers with a bit of experience on groomed trails. They end at a satisfying vista of Round Top from across Woods Lake. We didn't explore any farther than Woods Lake, but the Forest Service Flyer on the trails suggests there's another marked trail leading up towards Winnemucca Lake, which would make a great destination for more intermediate/advanced skiers looking for a longer trip out.
Update 2019: Yup, there is a marked trail from Woods Lake up to the boundary of the Mokelumne Wilderness and it's easy to navigate from there up an open, sparsely treed valley to Winnemucca Lake.
