Round Lake
via Big Meadow / Tahoe Rim Trail
El Dorado National Forest - South Tahoe Basin
Elevation approx 8,040
If you're looking for a great day hike or even a potential overnight backpack spot, you've got to check out Round Lake. Its at the southern most portion of the Tahoe Rim Trail near the connector to the Pacific Crest Trail at Meiss Meadows, which is just another 2.5 miles south. its just about 3 miles into Round Lake from the Big Meadow Trailhead.
At Big Meadow Trailhead there is plenty of parking and restroom facilities.
This trailhead is pretty popular as there are many trails to access from there......arrive early.
The trailhead is located off Highway 89 at Luther Pass
Quick gear and map check...………...away we go.
Right out of the trailhead you do have to cross the highway, we call this the "Run For Your Life" section..... Be sure to look both ways.....twice!
Right after the road crossing, you begin an ascent that's moderately graded and easy to follow.
Plenty of well maintained stair sections along this trail.
Your hike up is along a creek, so you'll be in and out of these beautiful aspens.
The first trail connector you see is the junction to Scotts lake.
This trail is popular with mountain bikers.
Just short of one mile, the first climb ends and you make your way past this thicket along the Big Meadow Creek.
Crossing Big Meadow Creek
The first "Big Payoff" of this trip is the view coming into this alpine meadow, Its just under half a mile long and truly a beautiful sight.
Out of the meadow and into the pines. With the creek behind, so are the aspens.
This is the second ascent portion of the trail.
The next trail junction is the turnoff that will take you to Dardenelles Lake , we packed in for an overnight there a few years back.
Fresh dirt...………..this is a new section of trail that we have never hiked before.
Round Lake now comes into view.
We decided to stay right, along the trail and skirt the north end of the lake to do a little exploration.
We spotted this little island and what appears to be a peninsula just beyond.
We made our way out onto the peninsula and found a great lunch spot.
And a great, after-lunch nap spot as well.
After lunch (and a nap) we did a little exploring around the lake. We scouted out plenty of great campsites. Here I'm looking down into a creek that feeds from here to the Upper Truckee River.
The hike back out, from the lake.
Going back up to Big Meadow.
Its just as pretty from this direction as well.
Well maintained trail and switchbacks are way easier to manage,
compared to those encountered up Ralston Peak
Back down the switchbacks and into the aspens lining Big Meadow Creek.
You'll hear the highway before you see it and that signals the end of the days adventure.
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