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Sunday, June 15, 2014

Sporty Sunday: Hiking Winnemucca - Round Top Lakes Loop

This is the second hike to get five out of five stars, but I’d like to give it 5++ stars. This hike REALLY has it all: forest, streams, lakes, granite, flowers, views, elevation, a loop route, and mining relics. The first three miles are all about the natural beauty. The wildflower show is at various stages depending on the slope aspect. We had a chance to see both the early and later bloomers. Winnemucca and Round Top lakes are icy jewels cupped by incredible peaks. From the 9400 foot saddle just before Round Top lake, you can almost see Lake Tahoe. (Okay, not really, but you can see Freel Peak, which overlooks Lake Tahoe.)

At almost four miles, the remains of the Lost Cabin Mine are a wonderful diversion on the downhill slope. The best part of the mine is a secret: cross the stream to explore the mine’s garbage pit, brimming with remnants of quaint glass jugs and odd bits of metal. It will bring out the historian in you. (NOT a dog-friendly addition to your trip. Broken glass + paws = sad dog face. My pictures of the trash are from October 2012, pre-Jasper.)


This hike isn’t usually snow-free until mid-July, so I think most local hikers haven’t considered this trail open yet for the season. Consequently, we had it almost to ourselves! Be aware, traffic is heavy during the summer months. For a wilderness experience, the best time to hike is now or in the fall.

Source: Evans, Stephen L. "Winnemucca - Round Top Lakes Loop" Top Trails Sacramento. 4th ed. Birmingham: Wilderness, 2012. Print.

Length: 4.74 miles

Water: The snowpack is still melting and runoff is evident. Both lakes are full and so are the streams.

Use: Light. During prime hiking season, this trail is heavily used.

Differences from published description: There is a $5 use fee.

Jasper’s rating: 5 paws out of 5.

Sporty Sunday is a recurring feature in which I share my fitness routine and offer and solicit advice. While this content might seem a little out of place in an outfit diary, a healthy, strong body is the foundation of my wardrobe. I hope to inspire my readers to be fit as well as stylish!

6 comments:

  1. I love reading these posts. I live in San Francisco and your posts keep reminding me I need to get out of the city a little bit more often!

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    1. Not yet...I need to do an overnight at Woods Lake so I have time for an extra long ramble in the morning.

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  3. I love reading about your adventures!

    As someone who comes from the land of zero nasties (New Zealand), how do you and Jasper deal with the bitey (snakes, ticks etc) things that hide in your neck of the woods? Do you tend not to encounter them? Avoid certain times of day?
    It's a totally foreign concept to me! :-D

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  4. Ticks, rattlesnakes, and poison oak are the worst things I encounter on my hikes. Thankfully, all three are rare or nonexistent above 7,000 feet. I hike as high as possible!

    In the winter, I mostly have to watch out for ticks, at low elevations.

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  5. Just discovered this weekend that going another mile from Round Top Lakealong the trail down to Fourth of July Lake offers more stupendous but different views! And the nearby hike/climb of Thunder Mountain is glorious.

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