20 Attractions to Explore Near Carson Pass

The Carson Pass Sno-Park is located near Caples Lake on the south side of Highway 88. It is popular with hikers throughout most of the year, and the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail, Tahoe-Yosemite Trail, and the Emigrant Summit Trail have access points at Carson Pass. Several high-elevation lakes can be accessed from Carson Pass.

Pacific Crest Trail is America’s second longest trail, stretching from Mexico to Canada through the states of California, Oregon, and Washington. Adventurous hikers looking for a challenge will take the high route through the Sierra Nevada and Cascade ranges and witness some of America’s most scenic and varied terrain—from scorching desserts to snowy mountains—along the way. The route passes through 25 national forests and 7 national parks.

Meiss Meadow is located on the north side of Highway 88 near Carson Pass. Recommended Activities: Cross-country skiing, dog sledding, and snow play. The Meiss Meadow Sno-Park is located in an area that offers year-round recreational opportunities. Outdoor activities including camping, hiking, fishing, wildlife viewing, wildflower viewing in the spring, and fall color viewing in the fall are abundant at Carson Pass.

Red Lake is a reservoir in Alpine County and has an elevation of 2,397 metres. It is situated northeast of Carson Pass, and east of Snowshoe Thompson Historical Monument. The vegetation surrounding Red Lake is characteristic of red-fir and lodgepole-fir forest. It is a classic alpine meadow stream complete with undercut banks and spooky wild trout. You'll need to approach with stealth and maintain a low profile to be successful here.

Elephants Back is a peak in Alpine County and has an elevation of 9580 feet. Elephants Back is situated south of Frog Lake, and south of Carson Pass. it is one of the iconic location where you can have a good trek and also there are so many other adventure opportunities to explore.

Red Lake Peak is believed to be the vantage point from which John C. Fremont and Charles Preuss made the first recorded sighting of Lake Tahoe by Europeans. The peak lies just north of the pass and generally northwest of the small lake east of the pass for which the peak is named. Lake Tahoe is visible to the north from the peak.

Winnemucca Lake is a dry lake bed in northwest Nevada that features the oldest known petroglyphs in North America. This Lake is home to several petroglyphs long believed to be very old. In 2013, researchers dated the carvings to between 14,800 and 10,500 years ago.

Round Top Lake sits below the Sisters, which tower over the lake at 9,000 feet in elevation. Stunning scenery, beautiful wildflowers and it is a good trekking destination.

Caples Lake is located 59 miles east of Jackson at an elevation of 7,800 feet. The 600 acre lake has 6 miles of shoreline. The lake has been used by many different groups of people including Native Americans, 49ers, and resort owners so it is known by a few different names. It offers a variety of different recreational opportunities such as hiking, fishing, and skiing within close proximity.

Fourth of July Lake is an alpine lake in Custer County, Idaho, United States, located in the White Cloud Mountains in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area. The lake is accessed from Sawtooth National Forest trail 109. This lake is in top form and is one of the areas top producing winter-only lakes for trout fishing. It is a popular destination for fly anglers.

A beautiful lake located in the heart of Alpine county and is famous for camping, fishing, swimming and so more. The close proximity of a dozen other lakes and an easy approach hike make Round Lake an attractive destination for a relaxed fishing day trip.

Lost Lake is a lake in the Desolation Wilderness in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, south of Lake Tahoe in El Dorado County, California, United States. It is a wonderful recreational area with a lot of things to see and do. This place is surrounded by lush greenery and is famous for swimming and fishing.

Kirkwood Mountain Resort is a year-round resort in Kirkwood, California south of Lake Tahoe that focuses on skiing and snowboarding in winter and hiking and mountain-biking in summer. The mountain is unique in that it has 2 mi ridgeline at the top. This makes Kirkwood popular for cliff drops and cornices. Kirkwood received 804 in of snow during the 2005-2006 ski season.

Deadwood Peak lies in the center of Mokelumne Wilderness across Summit City Creek from Round Top. It is also situated on the shared border of Pierce County and Yakima County in Washington state. Deadwood Peak is set on the crest of the Cascade Range, immediately north of Yakima Peak and Chinook Pass, with the Pacific Crest Trail traversing its east slope.

A broad mountain valley in Alpine County, California, located on the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada to the northeast of Carson Pass and south of Lake Tahoe. The valley served as a major thoroughfare for the passage of settlers and emigrants to and from California during the Gold Rush era. Sitting at an elevation of just above 7,000 feet and framed by peaks reaching over 10,000 feet high, Hope Valley is known for its wide vistas, fly fishing, fall colors, and winter activities.

A wonderful lake and a put-and-take fishery in Alpine County in the Blue Lakes Recreation Area. There are abundant campsites at Lower Blue Lake, Middle Creek, and Upper Blue Lake Campgrounds. A boat launch area exists for Upper Blue Lake near the dam.

Scotts Lake is a reservoir in Alpine County and has an elevation of 2,445 metres. This lake is 26 acres in size.There are no signs of fish life and abundant insect life in, and around, the water. The hike is very pleasant with abundant views of Big Meadow and gradual climbs through Aspen groves.

Burnside Lake is a lake in Alpine County and has an elevation of 8143 feet. it is situated southwest of Hawkins Peak. it is one of the beautiful recreational post here and is also famous for fishing and other activities.

Thunder Mountain is the highest point in Amador County, California. It is located in the Sierra Nevada mountains just above the Kirkwood ski area.The mountain has two peaks, the 9,414-foot main peak and a 9,412-foot sub-peak west of the main peak. Due to the high elevation, most precipitation that falls on Thunder Mountain consists of snow.

Hope Valley Outdoors offers cross-country and telemark skis and snowshoe rentals along 60 miles of trails in the heart of Alpine County. It is a great place for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Although snow takes some time to build up in the area, you would be hard-pressed to locate a better area in the mountain with a similarly long extension of flat terrain and elevation that receives snow.