Region
Highlights
- The summit of Round Top is a namesake rounded mass of dark volcanic rock.
- It is one of just 3 peaks over 10,000 feet visible from Lake Tahoe.
- The easiest route is class 2, although the short scramble to the summit block is class 3.
Routes
12 climbs • 8.2 mi • 1,890 ft gain • 5 hr 48 min • Class 3
2 climbs • 10.0 mi • 1,455 ft gain • 10 hr 5 min
2 climbs • 7.8 mi • 1,642 ft gain • 5 hr 50 min
Latest climbs
"Finally invested in a ski mountaineering set up and this seemed like a good peak to test things out. Suncupped conditions made things tricky on the way up but found surprisingly good conditions on the way down. Tagged two sisters as before skiing out. " — Christopher • Jun 14, 2023
"Awesome day at the Carson pass area. Breezy conditions at lower elevations. Excessive windy conditions at the summit made for some sketchy scrambling to the top. Great views all day. " — NO5s • Jul 3, 2022
"Started at the Carson Pass Trailhead and took the PCT until we have a visual of the coulior. The snow conditions were good for the climb in the coulior. 4 pitches (last one was short and challenging with the mix climb to pop out). Wonderful day on the mountain.
https://www.relive.cc/view/vMv8Q4WRLPO
" — mj3920 • Apr 10, 2021
"I climbed Round Top on a perfect winter day via the standard West Ridge route. I followed an established ski track up the north slope from Carson Pass to the saddle. Dropped the snowshoes and scrambled up to the west summit over snow- and ice-covered rock and scree. Climbing down to the gap between the summits wasn't too bad, but the 3rd/4th class climb up the east summit from that spot was covered in snow. I traversed around the south side on steep snow and rock with some exposure, until I encountered a small class 3 gully that took me up to the top. I carried crampons, but didn't need them but used the axe extensively and was glad to have brought it.
Once back at the saddle, I made the short, steep climb up to The Sister (East) which provides a great view of Round Top's west ridge. I tried to glissade down from the saddle, but the snow was too powdery - I'm sure the skiers had a good time though. Finished the day with a hike up Elephants Back.
This was my first time at Carson Pass and I was blown away by how scenic it is there, especially in mid-winter under heavy snow cover." — klotito • Feb 21, 2021
"This peak has some great views and a really cool on top of the world feeling. After descending the peak we headed toward the Fourth of July Lake and then continued on to create a loop around Round Top and the Elephants Back by connecting onto the PCT. There was a lot of bushwhacking around the back side of the peak before connecting onto the PCT. " — runningvegan • Jul 28, 2018
"Clear skies up to the summit. Lots of lose rock on the ascent, some snow pack covering a section of the main pack trail. Used alternate trail up to base of summit climb. Dark clouds rolled in within 20 minutes of reaching the summit. Stormy conditions with some thunder and rain on the way back to Woods Lake trailhead." — PackMule • Aug 6, 2017
"This was our 3rd summit of Round top but I'm not going through inputting the others. First summit was during a winter camping/ski trip from the saddle with the sisters. Second was a winter day trip when we did the snow climb up the Crescent couloir and skied off the saddle. This time we scrambles around the Winnmuka lake around left and did the ridge traverse to the summit. Shitty rock but amazing formation and views. " — galinabean • Sep 1, 2014
"Drove up from the Bay Area in the morning and didn't hit the trail until 11:30 which is quite late for me. Easy hike up from the (temporarily closed due to lack of funds) Woods Lake CG to Round Top Lake. Got mixed in with a big group (meetup?) through the class two chute up to the west summit. Had a fun time traversing over to the east summit, crossing over the exit of the Crescent Moon Couloir. I'll be back for that one!
" — edg • Oct 5, 2013
"Winter ascent of Round Top as snow covered the peaks and basins still. Lots of hungry critters around, we had to take both bear canisters and snow shoes. What a weird season! Nice little training peak, steepish snowfield and then 2-3rd class rock scramble. Like mini summit day. Very nice!" — paperpanther • Jun 25, 2011
"Easy hike to the lakes, then a straight shot to the top of Round Top, which has anything but a round top. Mosquitos were out in force, particularly by Woods lake, and we got to glissade down June snow!" — trailspotting • Jun 1, 2008