Nevada · Hiking · Near Sunnyside-Tahoe City

Capital to Tahoe

Capital to TahoePhoto: jfdervin, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)
20.2 mi
round trip
1,776 ft
climb
8,388 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Oct
best months

Is Capital to Tahoe open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Carson Ranger District. It doesn't name Capital to Tahoe, 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.

Capital to Tahoe is a 20-mile out-and-back hike in the Carson Ranger District of Nevada's Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, managed by the Forest Service. The trail rises from about 6,700 feet to about 8,400 feet, with a total elevation gain of 1,776 feet. It is a hard route, and the trail surface is natural, so plan for a rougher ride than a smooth path. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from the Dagget Pass weather station, about 13 miles away, show July highs around 75°F with lows near 49°F, and the trail sits higher than that station, so expect it to run a little cooler. The trail is open to bikes and horses, and it is not accessible. Several other routes start close by, including the Ash to Kings Trail and the Creek Trail, both within about a mile. Washoe Lake State Park Campground is about 5.5 miles away for an overnight base.

Around this trail

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

    Marlette Peak Campground

    Campground

    Campground · 3.9 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Hookah Lounge

    Bar

    Open after 6
  • If it rains

    Fox Cultural Hall

    Museum

    On your way back · 11 mi

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

More in Sunnyside-Tahoe City

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · May–Oct

    Best time to visit Capital to Tahoe

    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, 13.1 mi away at 7,334 ft. The station sits about 1,100 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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