Showers Lake Trail Loop
	Trip Date:  07/25/2024 Distance: 6.0 Miles Vertical Gain: 1800' Group Size: 3 Hike Rating:  Easy   Moderate    Hard   Strenuous	GPX for this trip
	Start Coordinates:   N 38 43.538, W 120 02.843     End Coordinates:   Same as start coordinates Car Shuttle Req'd:   Yes Parking Directions:   Take Highway 88 to the turnoff to Schneider Cow Camp Rd on the north side of the road signed "Caples Lake Maintenance Station." Pass the Caltrans buildings on your right and turn right onto Strawberry Creek Rd. Continue on this rough, dirt road to the coordinates where there is parking for a few vehicles on your left. Hazards of Note:   Weather in this area can change quickly so be prepared for various temperatures and rain. Crowd Factor:   Moderate. The section from the first crest down to the PCT will have no others on it, but the PCT (and Tahoe Rim Trail) at the bottom of the hill up to Showers Lake is very popular with both day hikers and backpackers. General Notes: From the parking area continue up the road just a few hundred feet to find the trail headed to the east. Follow this trail through some early forested section, but it will quickly open up and begin a series of long switchbacks that will take you up the side of the hill to a gap almost 1000 feet above where you started from. At this point you have great views back behind you to Kirkwood and the Thunder Mountain area, as well as nice views of the Lake Valley below and even Lake Tahoe in the distance. Take the trail that heads northeast for about 300 feet and find a junction to the east to start the way down the Showers Lake Trail down into the Meiss Valley. Follow this meandering trail down to reach the PCT, and then head left (north) on the PCT. Follow the PCT for a couple of miles until you reach Showers Lake. There is a nice rest spot with campsites on the northeast side of the lake. Then, follow the eastern edge of the lake south to pick up the trail heading back up from the south side of the lake toward the initial crest you reached up out of the Schneider Cow Camp area. Once back at the junction down to Schneider Cow Camp, follow this trail back to finish the loop.
	Heading up the hill from the Schneider Cow Camp trailhead.
	The junction at the top of the climb up from Schneider Cow Camp has a nice view of Red Lake Peak in the distance as well as a look down the trail back up to this spot from the PCT that will be traversed later on in the loop.
	We choose to head down the little-used (but recently maintained) Showers Lake Trail to hit the PCT below at the west edge of Meiss Meadow. It is the preferable direction as the trail tends to be steep in spots.
	Lots of flowers along this section of the trail heading down, as well as amazing views across the valley.
	At the bottom of this trail section where it joins with the PCT, there is new signage for the trail back up and over the crest and then down to Schneider Cow Camp.
	This sign along the PCT near the junction gives an idea of mileage for either north (our direction) or south.
	The flower display along this section of the trail was pretty amazing on this day.
	Making the climb up to Showers Lake provides more opportunity for the enjoyment of the flower displays all around.
	Showers Lake is always a scenic place, and today was no exception.
	GPS Track of the full hike.