Nevada · Hiking

Jefferson Canyon Road

1.0 mi
round trip
429 ft
climb
6,821 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
best months

Is Jefferson Canyon Road open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. It doesn't name Jefferson Canyon Road, 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.

Jefferson Canyon Road is an easy out-and-back hike in Nevada's Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, within the Austin-Tonopah Ranger District. The route is about 2 miles long, with a total elevation gain of 429 feet, and it starts and ends at roughly 6,600 feet. The Forest Service manages the land. The climb is gentle, with the steepest stretch at about 0.6 miles in, where the grade reaches 8 percent. The high point is 6,821 feet, and the low point is 6,595 feet. The trip takes about an hour. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Smoky Valley run to highs around 72°F in May and 68°F in October, while July highs average about 91°F. That station sits roughly 1,200 feet lower than the route, so temperatures on the road run cooler. Nearby options include the Adt - Nevada - S - Seg 5 hike about 2 miles away, Mount Jefferson at about 5 miles, and Windy Pass and Lone Pine Springs, both within about 6 miles.

  • Best time to go · Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct

    Best time to visit Jefferson Canyon Road

    Best months: April–June and September–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

      42° / 17°

      4 wet

    2. Feb

      48° / 21°

      4 wet

    3. Mar

      56° / 27°

      4 wet

    4. Apr

      63° / 32°

      4 wet

    5. May

      72° / 40°

      4 wet

    6. Jun

      84° / 47°

      3 wet

    7. Jul

      91° / 55°

      3 wet

    8. Aug

      90° / 53°

      2 wet

    9. Sep

      81° / 44°

      2 wet

    10. Oct

      68° / 33°

      3 wet

    11. Nov

      54° / 23°

      3 wet

    12. Dec

      42° / 16°

      4 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Smoky Valley - Carvers, NV, 9.6 mi away at 5,647 ft. The station sits about 1,200 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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