Summary 
| Difficulty | 3 Intermediate to Ginny Lake 4 Intermediate-advanced to ridge above lake |
| Length | 2.8 miles round trip to Ginny Lake 3.8 miles round trip to ridge above lake |
| Starting Elevation |
8550 feet |
| Cumulative Elevation Change |
+550, -550 round trip to Ginny Lake +1000, -1000 round trip to ridge above lake |
| Navigation | Map and compass |
| Time | Several hours |
| Season | Mid-December through April |
| Snowmobiles Use | Not permitted [Please report illegal use of snowmobiles in this area.] |
| USGS Topo | 7.5' series, Mount Rose |
| Start | Highway 431, 6.6 miles northeast of Highway 28 and 1.5 miles southwest of Mount Rose Summit. An area that looks like a small parking lot is located here though it is marked "no parking." |
Description
The best word that describes Ginny Lake is secluded. It's also a short tour with most of the 1.4 miles to the lake being quite level, but there is a modestly steep climb in one area.
At Ginny Lake your view is limited to the ridges that surround it. But a 0.4 mile extension to the south deposits you on a ridgetop with a grand view of Lake Tahoe below. This extension ups the intermediate tour to intermediate-advanced.
Adjacent to Ginny Lake; the extension of the tour ascends the ridge on the left
Lake Tahoe from the ridge above Ginny Lake
Mileage Log
Numbers in parentheses
correspond to mileage points on map
Waypoint 1 to 2
Miles: 0.0 - 0.4
Elevation change: -50 feet
From the trailhead (1) ski west on a snow-covered road for 0.4 mile until you reach the point where the road begins a sharp turn to the south (left) (2).
Waypoint 2 to 3
Miles: 0.4 - 0.5
Elevation change: +50 feet
Turn north (right) onto a lesser snow-covered road, and ski north and then west for a total of 0.1 mile until you reach Third Creek (3). The road disappears not far after you start this section.
Waypoint 3 to 4
Miles: 0.5 - 0.9
Elevation change: +50, -50 feet
Cross Third Creek, then ski west and then into a meadow area for a total of 0.4 mile until you reach the west end of the meadow area (4). Crossing Third Creek can be tricky; search out a good spot.
Waypoint 4 to 5
Miles: 0.9 - 1.4
Elevation change: +350 feet
Climb west and then ski level through a meadow area for a total of 0.5 mile until you reach Ginny Lake (5).
Climbing toward Ginny Lake
Return to trailhead
Miles: 1.4 - 2.8
Elevation change: -450, +100 feet
Retrace the route for 1.4 miles back to the trailhead (1). As an alternative you can extend the tour as described below.
Extension south to ridgetop
Waypoint 5 to 6
Miles: 1.4 - 1.9
Elevation change: +450 feet
Climb south for 0.5 mile until you reach a saddle and ridgetop (6).
Shedding climbing skins after reaching ridgetop
Friends sharing good times
Return to trailhead
Miles: 1.9 - 3.8
Elevation change: +100, -900 feet
Retrace the route for 1.9 miles back to the trailhead (1).
