THE TRAIL GOES UP On its way to Meiss Col, the PCT climbs about 240 feet with most of the elevation gain occurring in the last quarter mile before reaching the col.  Even with switch backs, this last quarter mile can be strenuous.  Note the Mules Ear in bloom beside of the trail.

MEISS COL There is a small, sometimes seasonal pond at the top of Meiss Col (8790').  At this point, a hiker can decide to continue down into Meiss Meadow or to leave the PCT and go to the left to Meiss Ridge or leave the PCT and go to the right to Red Lake Peak (10063'). Meiss Ridge (9450') is shown in the background.  The PCT is seen in the lower right corner.

THE TRAIL STARTS DOWN The PCT continues past the pond at Meiss Col (8790') and starts to drop down into Meiss Meadow (ave 8320').  Lake Tahoe can be seen in the center background.

As you travel through Meiss Meadow, you pass through groups of trees and by the line shack off to your left on the west side of the meadow.  After passing east of the line shack, the PCT reaches its junction with the trail to Round Lake and Big Meadow Trailhead.

IN THE MEADOW There are groups of trees in Meiss Meadow but most of the meadow is open

LINE SHACK The line shack is off to the left on the west side of the meadow.  It is not open to the public.

TRAIL JUNCTION Just after passing the line shack, the trail to Round Lake and Big Meadow Trailhead branches off the PCT.  This junction is marked with 4 X 4 posts on the west edge of the PCT. That is part of the line shack in the upper left background. The trail from the Big Meadow Trailhead and the PCT north of this junction are part of the Tahoe Rim Trail.  Information on the Tahoe Rim Trail is provided on the Tahoe Rim Trail web site.

A short distance past the junction of the PCT and Round Lake Trail, the Upper Truckee River is reached for the last time.  The river flows from left to right at this ford.  It continues toward the east and then flows north toward the Lake Tahoe basin.  At times this crossing can be very deep and difficult to cross.          To go to Meiss Lake, leave the PCT at this point and head cross country east through the open meadow.  The lake can not be seen from the PCT but will come into view as you go east from the trail.  To get to the north side of the lake, you can either go around the south and east sides or cross over the outlet steam at the west end of the lake

TRUCKEE RIVER FORD After crossing the Upper Truckee River for the last time, the PCT continues on to Showers Lake and Echo Summit.  At times this ford can be more than knee deep.  Meiss Lake is due east of this location.

MEISS LAKE Meiss Lake is one of the warmest lakes in the high Sierra Nevada.  It is a delightful place to camp overnight.  The best camp sites are on the north side of the lake (to the left in the photo). See Hiking the Greater Carson Pass Region for information on going cross-country to Four Lakes from Meiss Lake.

There is not enough room on this web site to include all of the information that you should have about Meiss Country and the locations illustrated above.   For more complete information see Hiking the Greater Carson Pass Region which may be purchased at the Carson Pass Information Station.             All of the locations identified on this web page can be reached from Schneider Camp and Big Meadow Trailhead.

Site Map

ENFIA -- THE ELDORADO NATIONAL FOREST INTERPRETIVE ASSOCIATION