Eldorado National Forest

Recreational Activities: Winter - Cross Country Skiing

Carson Pass Area | Echo to Kirkwood Trail | Echo Lake Johnson Pass Trails | Echo Summit Trails | Loon Lake Trails | Strawberry Canyon Trails

Carson Pass Area

Amador Ranger District

Directions:

Carson Pass and Meiss Sno-Parks:

Parking is available at two Sno-Parks located 63 miles east of Jackson and approximately 10 miles west of Hope Valley on Highway 88. The parking areas are located approximately 500' apart. Carson Pass is on the south side of Highway 88 and Meiss is located on the north side of Highway 88. A Sno-Park permit is required. Contact the Amador Ranger Station at (209) 295-4251, or the Eldorado National Forest Information Center at (530) 644-6048 for a list of places where you may purchase a Sno-Park permit.

Description:

The Carson Pass Area is located at the crest of the Sierra Nevada on Highway 88. The alpine terrain and panoramic vistas found here contribute to outstanding winter recreational opportunities. Winter weather in the Carson Pass Area is also spectacular. Expect to encounter 10 feet or more of snow on the ground, high winds, very cold temperatures and poor visibility due to fog and clouds.

Carson Pass Area Trail Map

Amador Winter Trails Recreation Opportunity Guide (pdf)

Trail Descriptions

Woods Lake Trail
Distance: 2.0 miles or 3.3 kilometers
Elevation: 8,200 - 8,600 feet
Difficulty: Easy
Access this trail from Meiss Sno-Park. The trail is an enjoyable two-mile, downhill ski to Woods Lake following the Woods Lake Road. The trail is marked, beginning across the highway from the Sno-Park, with blue diamond markers on trees. Woods Lake is frozen and covered with snow during the winter. Do not trust the ice to support your weight. It is not recommended to ski or otherwise go out on any frozen lake!

Wilderness Boundary Trail
Distance: 2.0 miles or 3.3 kilometer
Elevation: 8,200 - 8,600 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Access this trail from Carson Pass Sno-Park. The trail travels south to the Mokelumne Wilderness boundary, then runs west along the boundary before dropping downhill to intersect the Woods Lake Road. The trail also runs south from Woods Lake Road and travels up the drainage between Woods Lake and Winnemucca Lake. It stops at the Wilderness boundary. Blue diamond markers attached to tress identifies this trail.

Meiss Meadow Area
Distance: 1.5 miles or 2 kilometer
Elevation: 8,200 - 9,200 feet
Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult
Access the Meiss Meadow area from Meiss Sno-Park. This route is unmarked. The route generally follows the Pacific Crest Trail north from the Sno-Park, travels over a pass and then down into Meiss Meadows.

Mokelumne Wilderness Area
Distance: 1.5 miles or 2 kilometer
Elevation: 8,200 - 9,800 feet
Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult
Part of the Carson Pass Area is within the Mokelumne Wilderness that allows only non-motorized activities such as snow-shoeing and cross-country skiing. In order to give visitors a wilderness experience there is minimal directional signing and there are no blue diamond marked ski trails. You are responsible for your own route finding. You must be able to navigate with map and compass and possess advanced mountaineering skills. Explore on your own to the extent your personal skills allow. Mokelumne Wilderness offers skiing through forested mountainsides, around alpine lakes, and over open timberline landscapes as well as opportunities for very challenging downhill terrain. Overnight camping permit is required.

Be Prepared

The Carson Pass area offers challenging back-country skiing. Your experience will be most enjoyable if you are prepared with at least the following skills:

• ROUTE FINDING: You must have experience in route finding during all weather conditions. Some routes are not marked with blue diamonds.
• ORIENTEERING:You must be able to read a topographical map and use a compass. The topographic maps for this area are the Caples Lake and Carson Pass 7 ½ minute quads.
• AVALANCHE HAZARD EVALUATION: Avalanche hazard does exist in the area. Visitors should possess avalanche hazard evaluation skills and carry appropriate rescue gear with them at all times. Always check with a Forest Service information office before your trip for the weather forecast and official avalanche warnings.
• WILDERNESS FIRST AID: Be familiar with the signs, symptoms and treatment of hypothermia and frostbite.

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USDA Forest Service - Eldorado National Forest
Last Modified: Monday, 24 January 2005 at 15:34:15 EST