California · Hiking · Near Bear Valley

Horsethief

HorsethiefPhoto: UncleVinny, CC BY 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
3.6 mi
round trip
1,980 ft
climb
8,632 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Oct
best months

Is Horsethief open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Carson Ranger District. It doesn't name Horsethief, so check the source for the area it covers (3 listed).

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

Horsethief is a 7.2-mile out-and-back hike in the Carson Ranger District of Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest in California, managed by the Forest Service. The trail rises from a low point of 6,656 feet to a high of 8,632 feet, a gain of 1,980 feet one way, and is rated moderate. The trail is natural-surfaced and open to both horses and bikes, so riders and pack animals can join the climb. The Horse Thief Trailhead is the starting point, and the trail is typically open from June 1 to October 15. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from the Dagget Pass weather station, about 14 miles away and roughly 1,300 feet lower, show July highs around 75°F with lows near 49°F and only about two wet days a month. Winter is cold, with January highs in the mid-30s. Apron Crags and The Apron, two climbing areas, sit about 0.3 miles away, and Kit Carson Campground is about half a mile off. Pickett Peak Trail is about a mile away.

Around this trail

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

    Hope Valley Resort

    Campground

    Campground · 0.4 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    The Restaurant at Caples Lake

    Restaurant

    On your way back · 10 mi
  • If it rains

    Alpine County Museum

    Museum

    Museum · 8.0 mi from Bear Valley

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

More in Bear Valley

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · May–Oct

    Best time to visit Horsethief

    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, 13.8 mi away at 7,334 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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