Yes we understand that most people head to Kirkwood ski resort for world class skiing. However if you are like me you enjoy the great outdoors all four seasons and winter is a great time to strap on the snowshoes and trek in places that often I miss in summer while logging miles on the trail. If you are looking to snowshoe near Kirkwood this guide can help you identify a location.
Here is a short list of my favorite snowshoe locations near Kirkwood. (Note these include only free locations as we assume you already know about Kirkwood’s own snowshoe and cross country ski area which by the way is pretty awesome for a groomed set up.)
Hope Valley
Hope Valley has multiple options for a day trip snowshoe hike. Literally just pull of the road in one of a dozen locations and strap on the shoes and start walking.. We love stopping just past the river on Hwy 88 and trekking through the trees back to the river and out towards blue lake highway.
A few other options here in Hope Valley include:
- Turning onto HWY 89 towards Luther Pass – stopping at the Corrals and snowshoeing through the backside of Hope Valley through the Game reserve.
- Stopping at Pickets Junction and walking the road towards Burnside Lake. Recommendations here on way back go off road into the trees on either side and loop back tothe bottom meadow.
- Stopping just West of Blue Lake Highway, before you get tot he Cabin and walking from the roadside into the meadow and around the first little hill. This meadow is huge and is also an excellent location for Moonlight Snowshoe treks.
- Just past the Carson River on the opposite side of the road is the Scott Lake road access. This hill side is a fun walk in both directions and when it is fresh powder the trees are magical to walk through.
- If you have your snow park pass, Blue lakes Highway is a wide open place to play and explore.
Woods Lake
Ok so parking here is not easy so getting set up to trek back into Woods lake off the highway is probably the most difficult here on the list, but the scenic value of this trek trumps all head aches to parking without getting stuck. Snowshoeing on the covered road for the first half mile, veer towards the creek on the West side and walk through the trees and meadows. Until the creek returns to the road where you can cross the bridge into Woods lake.
Red Lake / Carson Pass
Limited Parking but this is a fantastic place to get your legs burning and hike in the trees or in open areas over a frozen lake during winter. You can choose to climb the road like the emigrants up Carson Pass or to follow the trails around the south side of the mountain one generally goes up and the other down to the road.
Of course on top of Carson Pass you can park and hike into Frog and Winnemucca Lake as well. Winnemucca lake is a 2.5 mile trek that will bring you to the base of Round Top Mountain. a popular peak to climb in summer. Round Top Lake is also achievable with the right conditioning. on the opposite side of the highway on Carson Pass their are trails that lead over to Meiss Country as well. This is popular Backcountry skiing area, the beginning is a steady climb over the pass, and avalanche danger is something to consider on this trail section.
Mud Lake Recreation Area
This is located just to the West of Silver Lake and Kit Carson lodge. Popular Snowmobile launch site and the trek includes one of my favorite vista views looking back over Silver Lake and onto the backside of Kirkwood.
Silver Lake –
Park at the campground locations and trek through the trees towards the Lodge and lake. simply brilliant. A bit more challenging than the Meiss Country trails, but it’s well worth the effort. The trail takes you through picturesque forests and up to the beautiful Silver Lake. The lake is surrounded by snow-covered pine trees and offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains.
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