Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. After the meadow, continue on through traditional forest, and later as the trail gets steeper you will reach the summit and end at Round Lake. The hike up to Round Lake from the Big Meadow trailhead is moderately difficult as 75% of the trail is an uphill incline to the lake - not easy, but not hard either.. I don't know if I just didn't have my hiking legs when I did this but it felt like a pretty tough hike. Hiked it in early August. Parking Directions for Round Lake Hiking Trail: Parking for the trail to Round Lake is located at the Big Meadow Campground and parking area on SR 89 just west of Luther Pass. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from June until October. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from March until October. Great hike to the lake. If you try and follow the trail in the next week or so, expect to encounter lots of snow. At the Big Meadow Trailhead, head south and across the highway towards Big Meadow. No fires were allowed when I went. A few people told me it went all the way around, but got a little stuck halfway (after a few scrambles with my pup) and was told by some backpackers it would be easiest to just turn around. At the Big Meadow Trailhead, head south and across the highway towards Big Meadow. We will begin our trek at the Big Meadow Trailhead in the southernmost part of the Lake Tahoe basin and travel south along the Tahoe Rim Trail to… a BIG MEADOW! Lots of shaded areas. This trailhead is pretty popular as there are many trails to access from there......arrive early. Big Meadow to Round Lake with side trip to Dardanelles via Tahoe Rim Trail. Dardanelles Lake A s I wrote in the Big Meadow to Round Lake summary, if you like hiking through meadows like I do, then this hike through Big Meadow is absolutely for you. At around 2 total miles, you’ll see a creek surrounded by grasses and willow. Big Meadow to Dardanelles Lake via Tahoe Rim Trail is a 8.4 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near South Lake Tahoe, California that features a lake and is rated as moderate. Reliable water sources: Big Meadow Creek (located half a mile south of the Big Meadow trailhead), Round Lake, Upper Truckee River in Meiss Meadows, Showers Lake, and Echo Lake all offer drinking water year-round, though the water at Echo Lake can be hard to access. Please do not camp within 200' of water sources. Dogs and horses are also able to use this trail. its just about 3 miles into Round Lake from the Big Meadow Trailhead. Moderate difficulty trail with nice scenery along the way. Its just as pretty from this direction as well. We spotted this little island and what appears to be a peninsula just beyond. Day hiked Big Meadow TH to Shower's Lake. The trail is well defined and easy going even though it's an 1100 foot gain in elevation. Big Meadow trailhead to PCT junction 4.9 mi. Big Meadow Trailhead Horseback riding in the Lake Tahoe area and the Central Sierra is nothing short of spectacular! This was a beautiful hike. Distance: 3.2 miles one-way from Big Meadow Trailhead to Round Lake. Can be a technical trail in this shoulder season. After lunch (and a nap) we did a little exploring around the lake. 89 at Luther Pass, 5 1/2 miles south of the junction of Hwy. I hiked to Dardanelles Lake with my dog lastnight, heavy with mosquitos the whole way but a nice hike. Well maintained trail and switchbacks are way easier to manage. Starting at the Big Meadow Trailhead Parking Area, travel south along the trail, passing through a pleasant meadow before starting a rolling climb past a trail junction to the shores of Round Lake.While at the lake, take time to enjoy its serene, still waters, shaded by towering volcanic cliffs on … A little bugggy in July and got caught in a hail storm but tiz the trail life! Les chiens sont les bienvenus sur ce sentier. 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