Nevada · Hiking

Little Cottonwood Creek

3.3 mi
round trip
764 ft
climb
6,110 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Jun, Sep
best months

Is Little Cottonwood Creek open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. It doesn't name Little Cottonwood Creek, 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.

Little Cottonwood Creek is a moderate hike on natural-surface trail in the Santa Rosa Ranger District of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest in Nevada, managed by the Forest Service. The out-and-back route is about 3.3 miles long, with an elevation gain of 764 feet, starting at roughly 5,345 feet and reaching a high of about 6,110 feet. The trail is open to horses and bikes, so it works for a variety of outings. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station show May highs around 73°F and October highs around 69°F, while July averages near 93°F and winter lows drop into the teens. Lamance Creek Trail is about 1.3 miles away and Hanson Creek about 1.5 miles. Summit Trail lies roughly 1.9 miles off, and paddlers can head to Martin Creek, about 7.6 miles away.

  • Best time to go · May–Jun, Sep

    Best time to visit Little Cottonwood Creek

    Best months: May–June and 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.

    1. Jan

      42° / 18°

      9 wet

    2. Feb

      47° / 22°

      8 wet

    3. Mar

      56° / 26°

      7 wet

    4. Apr

      63° / 31°

      6 wet

    5. May

      73° / 37°

      6 wet

    6. Jun

      82° / 43°

      4 wet

    7. Jul

      93° / 49°

      2 wet

    8. Aug

      91° / 48°

      2 wet

    9. Sep

      83° / 39°

      2 wet

    10. Oct

      69° / 31°

      3 wet

    11. Nov

      53° / 22°

      6 wet

    12. Dec

      41° / 17°

      9 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Paradise Valley 1 Nw, NV, 3.4 mi away at 4,560 ft. The station sits about 1,600 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.