California · Hiking · Near Sunnyside-Tahoe City

Cowboy Traverse

2.8 mi
round trip
632 ft
climb
7,669 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Oct
best months

Is Cowboy Traverse open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit. It doesn't name Cowboy Traverse, so check the source for the area it covers.

As of · Source: USFS · Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Cowboy Traverse is an easy out-and-back hike of about 2.8 miles in California's Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, managed by the Forest Service. The route rises from a low point of about 7,000 feet to a high of roughly 7,669 feet, with a total elevation gain of 632 feet. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Dagget Pass, Nevada, show July highs around 75°F with lows near 49°F and only about two wet days in the month. Winter is much colder, with January highs in the mid-30s. The Warr Trail, a mountain biking route, starts just 0.1 mile away. Hidetaka's Hideout, a climbing area, is about 0.8 mile off, and the Cowboy Hat Trail is about 0.9 mile away. Paddlers can reach the Upper Truckee River, about 1.3 miles from the trail.

Around this trail

Add any of these when you start a trip
  • Sleep close

    Berkeley Echo Lake Camp

    Campground

    Campground · 2.2 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Burger Lounge Meyers

    Restaurant

    On your way back · 2 mi

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

More in Sunnyside-Tahoe City

Local outfitters

Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.

  • Best time to go · May–Oct

    Best time to visit Cowboy Traverse

    Best months: May–October. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      36° / 23°

      9 wet

    2. Feb

      37° / 23°

      8 wet

    3. Mar

      42° / 26°

      7 wet

    4. Apr

      48° / 29°

      5 wet

    5. May

      56° / 35°

      4 wet

    6. Jun

      66° / 42°

      2 wet

    7. Jul

      75° / 49°

      2 wet

    8. Aug

      74° / 49°

      1 wet

    9. Sep

      67° / 44°

      2 wet

    10. Oct

      55° / 36°

      3 wet

    11. Nov

      43° / 28°

      5 wet

    12. Dec

      35° / 23°

      7 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Dagget Pass, NV, 11.6 mi away at 7,334 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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