California · Hiking · Near Bear Valley

High Trail

13.0 mi
round trip
1,670 ft
climb
7,910 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Oct
best months

Is High Trail open right now?

Closure in the area

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

High Trail is a 13-mile out-and-back hike in the Carson Ranger District of Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, managed by the Forest Service. The trail rises from about 6,467 feet to about 7,910 feet, a climb of 1,670 feet one way, and it is rated hard. The route is on natural surface and is open to horses. Bikes are not allowed. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from the Dagget Pass, NV weather station, which sits a few hundred feet lower, show July highs around 75°F with lows near 49°F and only about two wet days a month. Winter brings highs in the mid-30s and lows around 23°F. Gray's Crossing Trail lies less than a mile away, and the East Carson River is about 2.4 miles off. Climbers can head to True Value Crag, roughly 3.3 miles away, and Markleeville Campground is about 8.3 miles from the trail.

Around this trail

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

    Wolf Creek

    Campground

    Campground · 1.7 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Lake Alpine Resort

    Restaurant

    On your way back · 19 mi
  • If it rains

    Alpine County Museum

    Museum

    Museum · 8.4 mi from Bear Valley

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

More in Bear Valley
  • Best time to go · May–Oct

    Best time to visit High Trail

    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, 28.3 mi away at 7,334 ft. The station sits about 600 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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