Round Hill

Jan on our hike up Round Hill.

Ever since I saw this “hill” from a hike to Castle Rock in 2010 I have wanted to hike to the top of Round Hill. In other years I never noticed it, and it is very close to camp. When there was a hike change from Trout Creek because of news of some aggressive coyotes, to Zephyr Cove where we’d already been last week I made up my mind to do this climb.

Jan said that if I would go slow uphill and rest often, he would do it with me. He wanted to see the view also. So after a short 5 minute drive over to the hill from camp, we spent a few minutes looking for the trailhead and then deciding where to park the van.

Because of the steepness of the climb we left Glitter back at the cabin, so only Chip and Tinkerbell were with us. They didn’t look all that thrilled to be hiking again. Since just just about 3 hours earlier they had hiked Castle Rock, another hike with a good climb. But they were good sports and came along. I mean if you had a slip leash around your neck you’d start walking too. Our starting elevation for this hike was 6, 374 feet.

After a little searching we found the well worn trail to the top. On this hill were lots of downed trees, very dry and old. Our dogs stay on the path quite nicely. For dogs that think they have to jump and run around off the path it is quite dangerous. Sometimes our dogs get the zoomies while hiking, but after two weeks of hiking, they were just trotting along, no thoughts of chasing each other while hiking.

Resting on the trail to Round Hill.

The trail was steep, with switchbacks. Mostly shaded. We rested quite often after Jan’s episode the day before where we spent the whole afternoon at the emergency room trying to stop his bloody nose. There were lots of chipmunks, lizards and Jan said he saw a snake too. On our breaks we took pictures of the views. The path was pretty dusty in some areas. The dogs many times laid down on the trail when we stopped, I think I finally wore them out if that is possible.

We only saw one other hiker on the hill and he was coming down. I think he surprised Tinkerbell, she gave loud warning barks - scared me because I hadn’t seen the hiker, I was busy watching the trail. We had beautiful views of Lake Tahoe and and Round Hill Marina. Also we had a great view of Castle Rock along the Tahoe Rim that we had hiked just that morning. 

Jan holds up rock so I can get by. 

If you know where to look you can see the
4-H camp from here, in the center clearing. 

Camp W private beach.

Round rock on Round Hill.

Beautiful views.

After doing all the switchbacks to get us up the hill we finally arrived near the top where the trail circled around to the other side where we could see Camp Winnaribbun. Our climb took us up to an elevation of 6,689 feet. That was very cool. And of course we could also see beautiful Lake Tahoe. It was just a short distance to the top, which is not very wide so in just a few steps you can look at the view on either side. We took lots of picture. The dogs seemed to be tired of the picture drill and had to be coaxed with treats to pose yet again.

Tink and Chip pose for a picture to show they
made it to the top of Round Hill.

We enjoyed some time at the top, giving Chip and Tinkerbell some water and Power Bone treats. We drank some water also and then it was time for our careful but faster trip down the hill. We didn’t want to loose our footing, but the decent was fast and soon we were back at the van ready to head back to Camp W.

Jan and the green rock. 

View of Lake Tahoe. 

Top of Round Hill.

Stats for the hike: we hiked about a mile and a half. Had we taken a direct route and know the way it would have been a bit shorter.