Nevada · Hiking

Catch Pen

21.7 mi
round trip
1,543 ft
climb
8,285 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Oct
best months

Is Catch Pen open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. It doesn't name Catch Pen, so check the source for the area it covers.

As of · Source: USFS · Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Catch Pen is a hard hike in Nevada's Spring Mountains National Recreation Area, part of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, and it's managed by the Forest Service. The route is an out-and-back of about 21.7 miles with a total elevation gain of roughly 1,543 feet, taking you from a low point of about 6,450 feet to a high point of about 8,285 feet. The trail is on natural surface and allows both horses and bikes. It's open year-round. Late spring and early fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Mt Charleston show May highs around 63°F and September highs around 72°F, with July the warmest month at about 79°F. That station sits about 825 feet lower than the trail's high point, so temperatures on the summit run cooler. Rocky Gorge and Blue Tree Loop are the closest nearby hikes, each under a mile away, and Mahogany Grove is about 4.4 miles off for camping. Climbers can find Route 158 about 4.6 miles away.

  • Best time to go · May–Oct

    Best time to visit Catch Pen

    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

      44° / 22°

      6 wet

    2. Feb

      44° / 22°

      6 wet

    3. Mar

      49° / 26°

      6 wet

    4. Apr

      55° / 30°

      4 wet

    5. May

      63° / 37°

      4 wet

    6. Jun

      74° / 46°

      2 wet

    7. Jul

      79° / 52°

      5 wet

    8. Aug

      78° / 52°

      6 wet

    9. Sep

      72° / 44°

      4 wet

    10. Oct

      62° / 35°

      3 wet

    11. Nov

      51° / 27°

      4 wet

    12. Dec

      44° / 21°

      5 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Mt Charleston Fire Stn, NV, 8.2 mi away at 7,460 ft. The station sits about 800 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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