California · Hiking · Carson-Iceberg Wilderness

Driveway

DrivewayPhoto: jfdervin, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)
4.3 mi
round trip
1,077 ft
climb
8,758 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Jun–Aug
best months

Is Driveway open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Carson Ranger District. It doesn't name Driveway, so check the source for the area it covers (2 listed).

As of · Source: USFS · Carson Ranger District. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Driveway is a moderate hike of about 4.3 miles in the Carson-Iceberg Wilderness, part of the Carson Ranger District of Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest in California. The trail is an out-and-back with an elevation gain of about 1,077 feet, taking hikers from roughly 7,670 feet to about 8,758 feet. The route is on natural surface and is open to horses, which makes it a practical choice for riders. Bikes are not allowed. Summer and early fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station show July and August highs around 78°F, while winter highs sit near 41°F. The station sits about 388 feet lower than the trail's high point, so temperatures up top run cooler. The trail is open from June 1 to October 15. Corral Valley is about 0.6 miles away, and Snodgrass is about a mile off. Poison Lake and the East Fork Carson River are both within about 5 miles.

  • Best time to go · Jun–Aug

    Best time to visit Driveway

    Best months: June–August. 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

      41° / 8°

      7 wet

    2. Feb

      41° / 9°

      7 wet

    3. Mar

      45° / 13°

      6 wet

    4. Apr

      51° / 19°

      5 wet

    5. May

      61° / 25°

      5 wet

    6. Jun

      71° / 32°

      4 wet

    7. Jul

      78° / 36°

      4 wet

    8. Aug

      78° / 34°

      3 wet

    9. Sep

      71° / 28°

      2 wet

    10. Oct

      61° / 20°

      3 wet

    11. Nov

      49° / 12°

      5 wet

    12. Dec

      41° / 8°

      7 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Bodie California St Historic P, CA, 36.4 mi away at 8,370 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive

Corral ValleyPhoto: jfdervin, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Corral Valley

~1 min drive

11.72-mile out-and-back trail in California with 1,428 ft elevation gain.

Corral ValleyPhoto: jfdervin, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Corral Valley

~5 min drive

Scenic 4-mile valley loop with steady climbing through grassland and oak woodland.

Lost Cannon TrailPhoto: Ken Lund, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Lost Cannon Trail

~7 min drive

17.34-mile out-and-back trail in California with 4,042 ft elevation gain and loss.

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East Carson River Trail

~9 min drive

0.6-mile out-and-back hike along East Carson River in California.

Clark ForkPhoto: GSEC, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Clark Fork

~20 min drive

14.11-mile out-and-back trail in California with 3,089 ft elevation gain.

HIKE

Snodgrass

~2 min drive

5.61-mile out-and-back trail in California with 95 ft of elevation gain.

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Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail #2000

~14 min drive

46.78-mile out-and-back on the Pacific Crest Trail in California with 8,414 ft gain/loss

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East Carson River Trail

~11 min drive

2.02-mile out-and-back hike on East Carson River Trail in California

Poore LakePhoto: A Silly Person from Sonora, CA, United States, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Poore Lake

~19 min drive

Poore Lake is a 9.28-mile out-and-back trail in California with 1,001 ft of elevation gain.

HIKE

Tamarack Lake

~6 min drive

2.60-mile out-and-back trail in California with 1,338 ft gain