Poison Flat

Poison Flat is a 5.8-mile out-and-back hike in the Carson-Iceberg Wilderness, part of the Carson Ranger District of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest in northeastern California. The trail runs from a low point of about 6,715 feet to a high of about 7,761 feet, with a total elevation gain of 1,043 feet. The Forest Service manages the land, and the route is rated moderate. The trail is natural-surfaced and allows horses, but bikes are not permitted. It lies within designated wilderness, so plan around that when you pack. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. A nearby weather station at Dagget Pass, Nevada, records typical July highs around 75°F with lows near 49°F, while winter highs there typically sit in the mid-30s. The station sits a few hundred feet lower than the trail's high point, so temperatures on the summit run a little cooler. The hike opens from June 1 through October 15. The East Carson River Trail lies just 0.2 miles away, and the East Fork Carson River offers paddling within a mile. Murray Canyon is about 2 miles off, and Highland Lakes campground is roughly 8.5 miles away.