Nevada · Hiking · Near Sunnyside-Tahoe City

Sunflower Hill Trail

Sunflower Hill TrailPhoto: jfdervin, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)
2.7 mi
round trip
2,047 ft
climb
8,324 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Oct
best months

Is Sunflower Hill Trail open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Carson Ranger District. It doesn't name Sunflower Hill Trail, so check the source for the area it covers (2 listed).

As of · Source: USFS · Carson Ranger District. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Sunflower Hill Trail is a moderate hike of about 5.3 miles in an out-and-back shape, rising from 7,487 feet to 8,324 feet. It sits within Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park, on the Carson Ranger District of Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest in Nevada, and the land is managed by State Park and Recreation. The climb is most pronounced around mile 2.4, where the grade reaches about 15 percent. The total elevation gain is 2,047 feet, and the round trip passes through the same high and low points. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical July averages from a nearby weather station run near 75°F for highs and 49°F for lows, with only a couple of wet days a month in July and August. That station sits about 1,000 feet lower than the trail's high point, so temperatures on top run cooler. The trail sits right alongside the Tahoe Rim Trail, about a tenth of a mile away, and the Trt Marlette Peak Loop is 0.2 miles off. Climbers can head to Sand Harbor, about 2.3 miles away, and Washoe Lake State Park Campground is 6.5 miles away for an overnight stay.

Around this trail

Add any of these when you start a trip
  • Sleep close

    Marlette Peak Campground

    Campground

    Campground · 0.2 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    kokanee

    Restaurant

    On your way back · 2 mi
  • If it rains

    Fox Cultural Hall

    Museum

    On your way back · 8 mi

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

More in Sunnyside-Tahoe City

Local outfitters

Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.

  • Best time to go · May–Oct

    Best time to visit Sunflower Hill Trail

    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

      36° / 23°

      9 wet

    2. Feb

      37° / 23°

      8 wet

    3. Mar

      42° / 26°

      7 wet

    4. Apr

      48° / 29°

      5 wet

    5. May

      56° / 35°

      4 wet

    6. Jun

      66° / 42°

      2 wet

    7. Jul

      75° / 49°

      2 wet

    8. Aug

      74° / 49°

      1 wet

    9. Sep

      67° / 44°

      2 wet

    10. Oct

      55° / 36°

      3 wet

    11. Nov

      43° / 28°

      5 wet

    12. Dec

      35° / 23°

      7 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Dagget Pass, NV, 14.5 mi away at 7,334 ft. The station sits about 1,000 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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Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors