Sitting near the crest of Carson Pass in the Mokelumne Wilderness, Round Top Peak isn’t on Lake Tahoe but a short drive from South Lake Tahoe offers expert hikers a perfect day hike.

Beautiful scenery, moderate distance and just enough (optional) danger make Round Top a memorable day out in the mountains around Lake Tahoe and maybe the most well-rounded hike in the region.

The Beta

Directions to Trailhead
Distance: 8.2
Type: Out and Back
Peak Elevation: 10,381
Elevation Gain: 2,096
Time: Half Day to Full Day
Difficulty: Expert (if summiting)

What Makes Round Top the Best?

Best is a silly thing to ascribe a lot of things and hikes are admittedly one of them. But there are certain things that make some hikes better than others and we can make some objective assessments from there.

Scenery, natural diversity, manageable risk, fun, access and distance all factor into the grade.

Round Top excels in all of these categories to make it a near perfect day hike and one not to be missed on a trip to Lake Tahoe.

The Trail

Beginning at the Carson Pass parking lot, the trail enters a forest on the Pacific Crest Trail, with silver granite boulders strewn throughout. Past the curtain of lodgepoles and mountain hemlock, the trail opens up to an alpine scenery with Sierra Juniper twisting out of the sagebrush and Round Top emerges obviously on the skyline.

This region is geologically unique from Lake Tahoe. Round Top’s round top is itself a lava plug of basaltic andesite and the entire landscape is marked with volcanic evidence.

The trail rises gradually before reaching Frog Lake, a pitiful little lake that most wouldn’t notice if not for the trail marker. After Frog Lake, the trail leaves the PCT and heads on a mellow incline for Winnemucca Lake.

Winnemucca Lake

Winnemucca Lake is a star attraction in the Mokelumne Wilderness and for good reason. Set against the sheer cliffs of Round Top’s east ridge, with two tiny islands balanced on its calm meniscus, Winnemucca Lake is a perfect destination for picnics, swimming or fishing for brook and rainbow trout.

In the summertime, wildflowers decorate the meadow along the lake and slopes leading to Round Top Lake.

Winnemucca Lake sees lots of action on busy weekends but overnight guests get the luxury of one of only three permitted campsites at the lake, each generously spread out with plenty of privacy. Reservations are super competitive and are made through the Carson Pass Management Area.

After enjoying Winnemucca Lake, continue uphill toward Round Top Lake. The quick distance will give you a view of the saddle separating Round Top’s west ridge and the nearby Sisters. Shortly before you reach the lake, you’ll come to an intersection for a use trail heading left.

Tighten your boots and take the use trail to the saddle. This segment is like the guitar solo for your lungs which had been happily playing rhythm the entire hike. After a half mile of slipping and slogging up the sandy scree you’ll gain the saddle, feel great and be ready for the fun stuff just uphill.

The Summit (the Real One)

From the saddle, the use trail splits into a number of options. Choose your own line but take care to stay on the north side of the ridge for now. The terrain here is loose scree so pay attention to not just where you’re standing but where you could end up if the rock beneath you slid. There are many paths with good footing leading to the top.

In no time you should find your way up to the west summit, sometimes called the tourist summit (and probably according to the tourists: the summit). Unfortunately, while your lungs can relax, the crux of the hike has yet to come. It was all good vibes and wildflowers but now it’s time to get serious for a minute.

Round Top west summit from the true summit

Follow the ridgeline east toward the true summit 30 yards away. Stay to the south of the ridge as you traverse. The south side has slopes of scree that eventually cliff out but the north side is sheer cliff several hundred feet down. The ridge will eventually reach a notch where a fork of the Crescent Moon Couloir tops out.

Descend the notch to the flat transition. From the notch, angle to the south side of the summit block to find nice holds for the 15 foot finish to the top. To the south, Deadwood Peak and the canyon that unfolds beneath it are dramatically smack in your face with a backdrop that focuses as far as Yosemite. Look north to see Lake Tahoe, Mt. Tallac and the peaks of the Crystal Range. Caples Lake is just below you as are a dozen other lakes spread out among the granite and lava.

Linger as along as you’d like or get the hell out of dodge so you can get back on your wildflower vibrations. Retrace your steps through the notch and over the tourist summit, not dropping your guard until you’re well past the scree heading down to the saddle.

Pat yourself on the back because it feels really cool to summit a mountain over 10,000 feet with class 3 moves. You’re basically a mountaineer now.

Deadwood Peak from the summit of Round Top

Surf down the sand toward Round Top Lake. Take a dip or save it for Winnemucca and spend as long as you’d like in the beauty and blissful glory. And give a wave to Frog Lake on your way out. It’s shoreline is undergoing restoration but it could still use some love.

The Bottom Line

Round Top really has it all, packed neatly into an 8 mile hike easily accessed from the highway and just a 35 minute drive from the hotels of South Lake Tahoe. You get the granite of the Sierra but also the unique volcanic rock of this region. You get gorgeous lakes and meadows with a little effort, a spectacular view from the false summit with a little more effort, and an exhilarating class 3 finish with some effort and a little nerve. The choice is yours so have as much fun as you want.

Be safe and enjoy!

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The Best Day Hike Near South Lake Tahoe: Round Top Peak