Wildflowers along the Winnemucca Lake Trail

Last week, I wrote about the large snow drifts and huge snow fields that Elaine and I encountered on our hike toward Winnemucca Lake from the top of Kit Carson Pass on California S.R. 88.

Our purpose for the hike was three-fold: To walk on snow (which we did), to photograph some wildflowers (which we did) and to fish for Brook and Kamloop trout at Winnemucca Lake (which we did not, due to too much snow and too much wind).

This week, I am suggesting that you take the time to hike on that same Winnemucca Lake Trail to admire and photograph the wildflowers.

Here’s how to do so:

In a small daypack, take a light picnic lunch complete with your favorite soft drinks, sunglasses, sun screen, hat, mosquito repellent, camera and even a light sweater (just in case).

Then drive south from Carson City for 43 miles on a combination of U.S. 395, Nevada S.R. 88 and California S.R. 88 to the top of Kit Carson Pass.

At the Pass, you will have to pay a modest parking fee to park in the U.S. Forest Service parking area.
From there, you will be hiking on a well-defined trail that leads you to Winnemucca Lake, about a two-mile hike from that parking area.

Winnemucca Lake is a large, high-altitude, super-deep, ice-cold, trout-filled lake that lies at the base of Round Top Mountain (elevation 10,364 feet), the highest point in the Mokelumne Wilderness Area of California.

You’ll be walking at high altitude (8,500-9,000 feet), so if you are not accustomed to that type of elevation, remember to take it slow and easy with lots of rest stops, so you can catch your breath.

Here’s a special “Don Q” hint: Taking numerous photos of the surrounding, spectacular mountain scenery is a great excuse for making multiple stops.

I do it often and I’m not ashamed to admit it.

After hiking for about a mile, you will see aptly-named Elephant Back Mountain directly in front of you and little Frog Lake on your left.

As you continue hiking toward Winnemucca Lake, you will quickly come to a signed trail junction: The left hand trail (the Pacific Crest Trail) goes to Ebbett’s Pass, don’t take that trail or it’s going to be a long walk (22 miles!)
The right hand trail takes you to Winnemucca Lake (about one mile).

Continue hiking until you reach the area of wildflowers.

They are located in a large meadow area (about 400-600 yards before reaching the lake) that slopes down from Elephant Back.

That meadow contains one of the Sierra Nevada Mountains most spectacular displays of wildflowers and is widely noted for that display when the flowers are in full bloom.

Last week, the flowers were not quite at their peak, but I have an educated guess that they should be close by the time you read this.

Also, last week the best display of flowers in full bloom was along the west shoreline of tiny Frog Lake.
When you do take this hike, the variety and colors of all the different flowers are well worth the time and effort to reach them.

The flowers are in an area of all kinds of bright colors: Green, white, red, yellow, blue, violet, etc.
You’ll see lots of Mule Ears, Indian Paint Brush, Lupine, Buttercup, etc.

Last Wednesday, the hiking trail, between Frog Lake and the meadow, still had snowdrifts at numerous locations. In fact, in several locations, those snowdrifts were actually large, deep snowfields.

You can bet that not too many people in the U.S. (especially those in the midwest, southeast, southwest, deep south and our very own Southern Nevada) had the chance to walk on snow on July 20 like we did.

Finally, an important bit of advice:

• If possible, try to go on a weekday, not on a weekend.
• On weekends, that area is super jammed-packed with all kinds of wildflower lovers from far and wide. You won’t be lonely!
• I’ve passed groups of 10-15-20+ people hiking to or from the flowers.
• And, as a special two-part reminder:
• 01. Please do not trample on other flowers while trying to get a photo of a unique flower or group of flowers.
• 02. Please leave your dog home.
• Be considerate of the others who have hiked there to admire that high-altitude display by Mother Nature.

Bet Your Favorite Pigeon

Bet your favorite pigeon that he can’t tell you the best way to photograph the wildflowers along the trail.
If he grins and says, “Your best time for those photos is early in the morning or late in the afternoon,” he has been there as a photographer.

Photo No. 01:
The wildflowers in bloom along the hiking trail on the west side of Frog Lake on July 20.
Photo by Elaine Quilici

Photo No. 02:
A mix of Mule Ears and Lupine at Frog Lake.
Photo by Elaine Quilici

Photo No. 03:
A cluster of Mule Ears plants.
Photo by Elaine Quilici

Photos No. 04-05-06-07-08-09-10-11-12
Some of the many different wildflowers along the trail from Frog Lake to Winnemucca Lake.
Photos by Elaine Quilici