Trip Notes - Carson Pass to Forestdale Divide to Winnemucca Lake

Photo: Thunderstorm & Caples Lake from the boulder fields near Elephant's Back.

Photo Album: #157.

Weather: Partly sunny with a high of 69 degrees. Afternoon thunder, lightning and hail.

Trail Head: Carson Pass Visitor's Center.

Parking: Meiss Meadow Trail Head Parking Lot.

Parking Fee: $5 Day Use.

Description: Easy 5-mile out and back "Y" shape trail with an option to summit. Carson Pass south on the PCT to Frog Lake and Forestdale Divide. Backtrack to Winnemucca Lake junction and hike to Winnemucca Lake to have lunch.

Elevation at trail head: 8574'. Forestdale Divide elevation is 9060'. 

Flora: Mountain Dandelions, Lavender Gilia, Hairy Paintbrush, Bush Lupine, Lyall's Lupine, Crimson Columbine, Fleabane Daisy, Corn Lily, Ranger's Buttons, Sierra Daisy, Bistort, Seep-spring Monkeyflowers, California Goldfields, Subalpine Aster, Elephant's Head, Brewer's Lupine, Monument Plant, Prairie Smoke, Sierra Stonecrop, Sulfurflower Buckwheat, Alpine Campion, Fireweed, Ocean Spray.

Dinner: Trailgate at the parking lot.

Participants: (19) Monica Rose-Casey, Jeanette Farley, Chuck Flores, Bob and Debbie Gerhart, Barb Hayes, Dave & Denise Johnson, Lynelle Kimes, Dave & Jackie Lederle, Kellie McGraw, Connie & Tom Metz, Terry Neeld, Mary Tidball, Dale Van Zwaluwenburg, Eric & Becky Teberg.

Canine: (4) Toots, Rocky, Peanut, Jacques.

Comments: Short, easy hike. We hiked to the divide and lunched at Winnemucca Lake but the Ranger advised against doing Elephant's Back because of the lightning storms. Chuck had already bagged Round Top in the morning. I hiked cross-country over boulder fields to find the best way to Elephant's Back.