California · Hiking · Near Bear Valley

East Carson River

7.0 mi
round trip
310 ft
climb
6,596 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
best months

Is East Carson River open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Carson Ranger District. It doesn't name East Carson River, 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.

The East Carson River is a 7-mile out-and-back hike on natural trail in the Carson Ranger District of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, where the Bureau of Land Management's Sierra Front Field Office also manages the surrounding land. The route rises about 310 feet from its low point of 6,359 feet to a high of 6,596 feet. The trail is rated hard, and horses are allowed. Bicycles are not. The most comfortable stretch for a visit runs from late spring through early fall. Typical averages from the Topaz Lake weather station, about 13 miles away, put May highs near 72°F and October highs near 70°F, with July and August peaking around 90°F. The station sits roughly 1,300 feet lower than the trail, so temperatures on the hike run cooler. The open season runs from June 1 to October 15. Gray's Crossing Trail is about 1.8 miles away, and the East Carson River Trail is about 2.4 miles away. The East Fork Carson River, a paddling route, lies about 4.6 miles off, and the True Value Crag climbing area is about 5.7 miles away.

Around this trail

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

    Wolf Creek

    Campground

    Campground · 2.6 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Lake Alpine Resort

    Restaurant

    On your way back · 20 mi
  • If it rains

    Alpine County Museum

    Museum

    Museum · 11 mi from Bear Valley

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

More in Bear Valley
  • Best time to go · Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct

    Best time to visit East Carson River

    Best months: April–June and September–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

      47° / 22°

      3 wet

    2. Feb

      51° / 25°

      3 wet

    3. Mar

      58° / 29°

      3 wet

    4. Apr

      63° / 33°

      2 wet

    5. May

      72° / 41°

      3 wet

    6. Jun

      82° / 48°

      1 wet

    7. Jul

      91° / 55°

      2 wet

    8. Aug

      90° / 53°

      2 wet

    9. Sep

      82° / 46°

      1 wet

    10. Oct

      70° / 36°

      1 wet

    11. Nov

      56° / 28°

      3 wet

    12. Dec

      46° / 22°

      4 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Topaz Lake, NV, 13.1 mi away at 5,292 ft. The station sits about 1,300 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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