Round Lake

The "Monday Hikers" started this trip along the Tahoe Rim Trail at the Big Meadow trail head as an easy hike to Round Lake for lunch. As such, it would have been a 6.5 mile jaunt rated at 2 to 2.5.

After lunch however, 'someone' suggested we circumnavigate the lake prior to heading back. Unfortunately, there is no established path around the lake.

After crossing the road from the parking lot, and a short climb through the evergreens, you get a breather while crossing Big Meadow.

Above the east side of the meadow, a volcanic feature oversees all.

After the meadow, there are some interesting geologic features along the trail. Some are obviously eroded from the volcanic ridge, but others will cause you to ponder their origin.

Reaching the lake, we enjoyed our lunch on the edge of the lake. While sitting there, looking at the features across the lake, we talked ourselves into going around the 'small' pond before starting back.

With the sentry watching (and probably laughing) we started picking our way around. It was soon obvious that there is no established trail that went where we wanted to go.

Rounding the bottom of the lake, we each decided on the best path down the slope, while privately thinking the others were living life on the edge.

There were sections that presented only one obvious choice, even if it required our less than gracefull moves.

All in all, the hike was fun and exciting, and everyone had a good time.