Nevada · Hiking

Pony Express Route

29.4 mi
round trip
1,393 ft
climb
4,310 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Apr–May, Sep–Oct
best months

The Pony Express Route is a 58.7-mile out-and-back hike in Nevada, managed by the Bureau of Reclamation on land within its Usbr unit. It is a long, steady climb, with a total of 1,393 feet of gain and loss over the full route, and the high point sits at about 4,310 feet. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from the nearby Fallon Naas weather station run from highs around 67°F in April to 71°F in October, while July averages reach 96°F and winter lows drop to about 20°F. That station sits roughly 376 feet lower than the route's high point, so temperatures on the high ground run cooler. The trip takes about 20.5 hours, so plan for a full day or more. The route starts at an elevation of about 3,919 feet and reaches a low point of 3,901 feet, so the climb is a steady one over the full distance.

  • Nearby · Petroglyph Trail · Simpson Road · Wilson Canyon 1 St
  • Best time to go · Apr–May, Sep–Oct

    Best time to visit Pony Express Route

    Best months: April–May 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

      47° / 22°

      6 wet

    2. Feb

      53° / 25°

      5 wet

    3. Mar

      61° / 31°

      4 wet

    4. Apr

      67° / 35°

      4 wet

    5. May

      76° / 44°

      5 wet

    6. Jun

      87° / 51°

      3 wet

    7. Jul

      96° / 58°

      2 wet

    8. Aug

      94° / 55°

      1 wet

    9. Sep

      85° / 48°

      2 wet

    10. Oct

      71° / 36°

      3 wet

    11. Nov

      56° / 26°

      4 wet

    12. Dec

      46° / 20°

      5 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Fallon Naas, NV, 10.3 mi away at 3,934 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors