Nevada · Hiking

Upper Loop

Upper LoopPhoto: Ken Lund, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)
1.6 mi
round trip
514 ft
climb
5,055 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Mar–Jun, Sep–Oct
best months

Is Upper Loop open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Carson Ranger District. It doesn't name Upper Loop, so check the source for the area it covers (3 listed).

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

Upper Loop is an easy out-and-back hike of about 3.2 miles on county land in Nevada, within the Carson Ranger District of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. The trail starts at roughly 4,972 feet and reaches a high point of about 5,055 feet, with a total elevation gain of about 514 feet over the course of the round trip. The steepest stretch comes at about 0.7 miles in, where the grade reaches about 9%. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station show May highs around 72°F and October highs around 68°F, while July averages climb to about 93°F. Overlook Loop, a mountain biking route, sits just 0.1 mile away, and the Ballardini Ranch Trail and Lower Loop are both within half a mile. Alum Creek, a canoeing spot, is about 4.4 miles off.

Local outfitters

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

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

    Best time to visit Upper Loop

    Best months: March–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

      46° / 27°

      7 wet

    2. Feb

      50° / 29°

      6 wet

    3. Mar

      57° / 34°

      6 wet

    4. Apr

      63° / 38°

      5 wet

    5. May

      72° / 46°

      5 wet

    6. Jun

      83° / 54°

      3 wet

    7. Jul

      93° / 61°

      2 wet

    8. Aug

      91° / 60°

      2 wet

    9. Sep

      82° / 53°

      2 wet

    10. Oct

      68° / 43°

      3 wet

    11. Nov

      54° / 33°

      5 wet

    12. Dec

      45° / 27°

      7 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Reno Wfo, NV, 8.4 mi away at 4,987 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive

Ballardini Ranch TrailPhoto: Ken Lund, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Ballardini Ranch Trail

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Lower LoopPhoto: Ken Lund, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

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Hunter CreekPhoto: Ken Lund, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

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Dry PondPhoto: Matt Lavin, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

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Lower Thomas Creek TrailPhoto: Ken Lund, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

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Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors