Summary 
| Difficulty | 4 Intermediate-advanced |
| Length | 6.4 miles one-way |
| Starting Elevation |
8600 feet |
| Cumulative Elevation Change |
+2350, -1550 feet |
| Navigation | Marked trail, map and compass |
| Time | Full day |
| Season | Late December through April |
| Snowmobiles Use | Not permitted [Please report illegal use of snowmobiles in this area.] |
| USGS Topo | 7.5' series, Carson Pass and Caples Lake |
| Start | Carson Pass Sno-Park on Highway 88. |
| End | Main Lodge at Kirkwood Ski Resort on Highway 88. |
Description
This tour from Carson Pass to Kirkwood Ski Resort begins in the popular area south of Carson Pass where most people make Winnemucca Lake or Round Top Lake their destination. You will find yourself quite alone if you leave these behind and head for Kirkwood.
The first 4.5 miles are identical to the Carson Pass to Caples Lake Via Winnemucca Lake tour. Which route you choose will no doubt depend on whether you savor your solitude or relish linking turns on the groomed downhill slopes.
Mileage Log
Numbers in parentheses
correspond to mileage points on map
Waypoint 1 to 2
Miles: 0.0 - 0.5
Elevation change: +300, -50 feet
From Carson Pass Sno-Park (1) ski south into the trees and climb for approximately 0.5 mile until you reach more open and level terrain (2). Don't get discouraged — the first little bit is the most difficult.
Waypoint 2 to 3
Miles: 0.5 - 1.8
Elevation change: +250, -100 feet
Continue skiing south and traverse the open slopes on the west side of Elephant Back for 1.3 miles until you reach Winnemucca Lake (3), which lies in a depression below Round Top.
Waypoint 3 to 4
Miles: 1.8 - 2.5
Elevation change: +500, -100 feet
Cross the outlet creek at Winnemucca Lake and climb west up the barren slope for 0.7 mile until you reach the northwest spur of Round Top (4). Be aware that the steep slopes of Round Top are susceptible to avalanche.
Waypoint 4 to 5
Miles: 2.5 - 2.7
Elevation change: -50 feet
Descend southwest for 0.2 mile until you reach Round Top Lake (5).
Waypoint 5 to 6
Miles: 2.7 - 4.2
Elevation change: +50, -1000 feet
Ski northwest down easy terrain, then southwest to a gully and finally climb for a total of 1.5 miles until you reach a small saddle (6).
Waypoint 6 to 7
Miles: 4.2 - 4.5
Elevation change: +50, -150 feet
Ski west, cross a creek and then traverse for a total of 0.3 mile until you reach the Emigrant Lake drainage (7). Emigrant Lake is to the south.
Waypoint 7 to 8
Miles: 4.5 - 4.7
Elevation change: -50 feet
Traverse northwest below steep terrain for 0.2 mile until you reach the clearing at Emigrant Valley (8). The bottoms of chairlifts 3 and 4 of Kirkwood Ski Resort are located in the clearing.
Waypoint 8 to 9
Miles: 4.7 - 5.2
Elevation change: +400 feet
Climb northwest for 0.5 mile to the top of chairlift 3 (9). Do not ski on the groomed slopes as you ascend.
Waypoint 9 to 10
Miles: 5.2 - 6.4
Elevation change: -850 feet
Descend the intermediate and then beginner ski runs for 1.2 miles to the Main Lodge (10) at Kirkwood Ski Resort.
