Winnemucca Lake
Frog Lake
Woods Lake

This was another hike that we took with the "Monday Hikers" group. When hit at the right time, it is THE premier wildflower hike in the area.

It was a bit unusual for us in that it was done as a one way hike utilizing the car shuttle thing. The trailhead is at the Carson Pass visitor's center on Highway 88 and is part of the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail. We ended up at the Woods Lake camp grounds.

The first stop was at Frog Lake. It is a cute little lake in a shallow, sandy depression. The lake shore sand is almost like an ocean's beach with a few larger rocks thrown in.

Just past Frog Lake, the PCT splits to the left. Even though we want the right hand trail, a short walk along the PCT leads to a spectacular view point - it shouldn't be missed!.

The next stretch of the trail toward Winnemucca Lake passes through a gently sloping valley that is a riot of colorful wild flowers if caught at the right time of year.

We slowed down in order to identify the plants we didn't know (with the help of a few flower books), and collect a sample of the ones we couldn't find in the books we had with us so we could look them up in the Jepson Manual when we got home. We actually did have a collection permit issued by the EDNF botanist!

Reaching Winnemucca Lake, the group stopped for lunch.

After lunch, we took the trail down hill (sometimes steeply) to Woods Lake and the cars.