There is a profound stillness that washes over you when you finally step back onto the dirt trail after five long months away. For me, Jasdeep, hiking is more than just a physical pursuit; it is my ultimate remedy for anxiety and the clearest lens through which I experience true joy. Yesterday, on a crisp Saturday morning, my good friend Jatin and I packed up my Fujifilm XE5 and set out from Lodi at 7:30 AM to tackle the Round Top and Winnemucca Trail.
Finding Our Footing Among the Pines
There is a specific kind of silence that only exists deep in the alpine woods, where the heavy weight of everyday anxiety simply dissolves into the dirt beneath your boots. When Jatin and I set out from the Woods Lake parking lot toward Round Top, we were immediately swallowed by a dense, vibrant green forest. The trail here does not give up its panoramic views easily; it demands that you earn them step by step, surrounded by the quiet hum of the wilderness.
Stepping Out of the Shadows
As we pushed higher up the Round Top trail, the dense forest canopy began to break, revealing the rugged granite bones of the mountain. The soft, shaded dirt quickly gave way to loose rocks and steep, sunbaked inclines. I snapped this shot just as we were transitioning into this harsher, yet incredibly beautiful terrain.
The two-and-a-half-hour drive flew by, and by 10:00 AM, we were pulling into the Woods Lake parking area, located just off Highway 88 past the Buckhorn turnoff. We slipped our $10 into the day-use envelope, laced up our boots, and officially hit the trail by 10:30 AM. As the creator behind Hike for Heal, my overarching dream is to one day stand on all the high peaks of the world, and every mountain I climb is a step toward that vision.
Our first major milestone was Round Top Lake, sitting beautifully at an elevation of 9,351 feet above sea level. We took the direct route through the vibrant, green forest, deciding to save the alternate trail for our return loop. Sitting by the water, hydrating and snacking on carbs for energy, we looked up at the towering summit of Round Top Peak. Initially, we debated whether to push further, but watching another group confidently make their way up the steep incline gave us the rush of inspiration we needed.
The final 0.8-mile stretch to the summit was intensely steep, bringing us up to a breathtaking 10,381 feet. The rugged terrain tested us with lingering snow patches and fierce, howling winds that would have been unbearable without the right gear. Near the very top, the dirt trail gave way to sheer rock, requiring us to put our cameras away and scramble with our hands to safely reach the pinnacle. Standing on that peak, looking at the sprawling alpine wilderness below, every ounce of everyday stress completely evaporated, leaving only pure internal peace.
After soaking in the summit views, we carefully navigated our way back down the rocky scramble and completed our loop by taking the alternate path past Winnemucca Lake. The descent gave us plenty of time to just talk and reconnect during our five-month hiking hiatus. Jatin and I dove into deep conversations about the exciting prospect of his soon-to-be fiancée, swapped stories about my recent three-month trip to India, and celebrated the beautiful birth of Qudrat.
A vibrant landscape photograph of Winnemucca Lake nestled in a rugged alpine basin
We capped off the successful trek with a late, well-deserved meal at Ham's Station on the drive back, eventually pulling into home around 7:30 PM. It was an incredibly well-spent day—a powerful reminder of how nature heals the mind, strengthens our bonds, and provides the perfect canvas to share with the world through my lens.