Ice Plant Loop
- 1.6 mi
- round trip
- 212 ft
- climb
- 7,150 ft
- high point
- Out and back
- route
- May–Sep
- best months
Is Ice Plant Loop open right now?
Closure in the area
There's a closure order in Ely Ranger District. It doesn't name Ice Plant Loop, so check the source for the area it covers (2 listed).
Ward Fire Closure (Ely Ranger District)
Agency closure covering Ely Ranger District · Order 04-17-26-09-02 · USFS · Ely Ranger District
Elephant Fire Closure
Agency closure covering Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest · Order 04-17-26-01-04 · USFS · Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest
Area, Road, and Trail Closures (Spring Mountains National Recreation Area)
Agency alert covering Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest · Order 04-17-25-04 · USFS · Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest
Year-Round Fire Restrictions (Spring Mountains National Recreation Area)
Agency alert covering Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest · Order 04-17-24-01 · USFS · Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest
Vehicle Snow Chain Requirements during Inclement Weather (Spring Mountains National Recreation Area)
Agency alert covering Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest · Order 04-17-23-01 · USFS · Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest
As of · Source: USFS · Ely Ranger District. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.
Ice Plant Loop is an easy out-and-back hike of about 1.6 miles on natural surface in the Ely Ranger District of Nevada's Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. It runs from a low point of about 6,935 feet to a high of about 7,150 feet, with a total elevation gain of about 212 feet. The Forest Service manages the land, and the trail is open year-round. Bikes and horses are both allowed, so the route works for hikers, mountain bikers and riders with pack animals. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from the nearby Ruth weather station put July highs around 84°F with lows near 47°F, while winter months bring highs in the upper 30s and regular snow days. Tin Pan Alley and Ice Plant Canyon 2 sit about 0.2 miles away, and Ward Mountain Campground lies about 4 miles off for an overnight stay.
Best time to go · May–Sep
Best time to visit Ice Plant Loop
Best months: May–September. 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.
Jan
38° / 9°
6 wet · 6 snow
Feb
40° / 12°
6 wet · 5 snow
Mar
47° / 19°
7 wet · 5 snow
Apr
54° / 24°
7 wet · 3 snow
May
64° / 32°
7 wet · 1 snow
Jun
76° / 40°
5 wet
Jul
84° / 47°
5 wet
Aug
82° / 46°
6 wet
Sep
75° / 36°
5 wet
Oct
61° / 25°
4 wet · 1 snow
Nov
47° / 16°
5 wet · 3 snow
Dec
37° / 7°
6 wet · 5 snow
Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Ruth, NV, 6.6 mi away at 6,858 ft. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.
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East Iceplant Trail
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Ice Plant Canyon Connector 1
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