Taft Creek
- 4.1 mi
- round trip
- 2,048 ft
- climb
- 8,813 ft
- high point
- Out and back
- route
Is Taft Creek open right now?
Closure in the area
There's a closure order in Ely Ranger District. It doesn't name Taft Creek, 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.
Taft Creek is a hard out-and-back hike in the Ely Ranger District of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest in Nevada. The trail starts at a low point of about 7,000 feet and climbs to a high point of about 8,800 feet, with a total elevation gain of about 2,050 feet. The Forest Service manages the land, and the trail has a natural surface and allows horses. The route runs about 4 miles long. It opens from June 15 through October 30, so plan on hiking in the late spring or early fall when the weather is most comfortable. The Taft Creek trail is one of several routes in this part of the forest. Ranger Creek and the South Taft Creek Trail both start within half a mile. For a longer outing, Timber Creek Campground is about 7 miles away, and Cleve Creek Campground is about 9 miles away.
Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive
Photo: cm195902, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)North Schell Peak Summit Route
~12 min drive
2.12-mile out-and-back to North Schell Peak summit in Nevada with 1,451 ft gain.
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RANGER CREEK
Next door
3.38-mile out-and-back trail in Nevada with 1,431 ft elevation gain
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Gilford Creek Trail
~15 min drive
1.22-mile out-and-back trail in Nevada with 323 ft elevation gain.
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Cottonwood Spring Trail
~15 min drive
9.52-mile out-and-back hike in Nevada with 2,162 ft elevation gain and loss.
Photo: cm195902, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)North Fork Timber Creek Trail
~12 min drive
1.97-mile out-and-back trail on North Fork Timber Creek in Nevada with 461 ft gain.
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Ranger Creek Trail
Next door
2.9-mile out-and-back trail in Nevada with 1,323 ft elevation gain and loss.
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Rams Horns Canyon Trail
~18 min drive
2.16-mile out-and-back trail in Nevada with 751 ft elevation gain and loss.
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Kraft Canyon
~11 min drive
3.87-mile out-and-back trail in Nevada with 1,594 ft elevation gain.
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North Fork Berry Creek
~10 min drive
3.70-mile out-and-back trail in Nevada with 1,037 ft elevation gain.
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Flaming Juniper Trail
~19 min drive
1.1-mile out-and-back hike in Nevada with 452 ft of elevation gain
