At the State Route 89-88 intersection go right toward Kirkwood. Just beyond the Carson Pass Ranger station and trailhead on your left, on your right is a snowpark. Even on weekends this parking area is relatively sparsely used. Looking uphill you'll find the trailhead on your left. Alternately, you can go about a half-mile farther on State Route 88 and use another trailhead on your right.
Parking can be tighter there.
But you'll save about half a mile of not terribly interesting hiking from this spot. This trail connects with the Pacific Crest Trail which continues to Showers Lake northwest. Cattle grazing the grassland here use this pond so it is not exactly the jewel of the Sierra. On your left you'll see a loft peak of 9,445 feet. From the saddle it's downhill and a pleasant walk.