Tahoe Rim Trail: Round & Dardanelles Lakes

Photos Maps Summary: This is a nice hike through Big Meadow to two lakes in El Dorado County, CA, south of Lake Tahoe. The hike follows the Tahoe Rim Trail to Round Lake and follows a side-trail to Dardanelles Lake. Wildflowers peak in Big Meadow between July and mid-August with more flowers spread out throughout the hike.Distance: 8.65 miles totalElevation Gain/Loss: 1,425' totalSeason: mid-June to OctoberFees & Permits: None for dayhiikersFinding the Trailhead: 38.7886 N, 120.0007 W (Big Meadow Trailhead). From the CA-88/89 intersection south of Lake Tahoe, follow CA-89 west-northwest for ~5.9 miles before turning right and turning immediately (~250') left into the Big Meadow Trailhead parking lot. The trail begins off the southwestern end of the parking area. The Hike: The trail begins on the northern side of CA-89, but quickly crosses over the highway and then begins a decently steep climb up towards Big Meadow. At ~0.5 miles from the trailhead the Scott Lake Trail leaves to the left. At ~0.6 miles the trail crosses Big Meadow Creek at the northern end of Big Meadow. Here, there is a nice view of Stevens Peak over Big Meadow to the south-southeast. The trail cuts through the center of Big Meadow heading south before entering the trees and climbing up to a ridge. At the top of the ridge the trail descends steeply down to the junction with the Meiss Meadow Trail (which also leads to the Dardanelles Lake Trail) at ~2.2 miles. Continuing to the south, the trail arrives at the northern shore of Round Lake ~2.8 miles from the trailhead. Here, we skirted the northern shore and made our way to the west to find a lunch spot. From our lunch spot we had great views of the cliffs off the eastern shore of Round Lake. Here, there were also many wildflowers including Arrowleaf Balsamroot. Once you decide to leave Round Lake head back north along the Tahoe Rim Trail towards the junction with the Meiss Meadow Trail (~0.6 miles from Round Lake). Turn left onto this trail and follow it for ~0.25 miles before turning left onto the Dardanelles Lake Trail and immediately cross a creek. After crossing a second creek, this trail reaches the lake after ~1.35 miles. At the lake, we saw many people hanging out on the rocks off the northwest shore. We only hung around the eastern shore for a little while before leaving. To get back to the trailhead walk back to the Meiss Meadow Trail (~1.35 miles), turn right and then turn left (a further ~0.25 miles) onto the Tahoe Rim Trail and follow it back to the trailhead (~2.2 miles more, ~3.8 miles from Dardanelles Lake).