Nevada · Hiking

Upper Sharps Canyon

1.2 mi
round trip
516 ft
climb
7,554 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Oct
best months

Is Upper Sharps Canyon open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. It doesn't name Upper Sharps Canyon, 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.

Upper Sharps Canyon is a short, easy out-and-back hike in Nevada's Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, within the Mountain City-Ruby Mountains-Jarbidge Ranger District. The trail is about 1.2 miles long, with a total elevation gain of 516 feet, and it reaches a high point of 7,554 feet. The route is rated easy, and the Forest Service manages the land. The trail is natural-surfaced and allows horses, so riders can take it on foot or on horseback. The climb is gentle overall, with the steepest stretch at about 0.3 miles in, where the grade reaches 32 percent. The trip takes about half an hour, and the trail is open year-round. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station show July highs around 84°F with lows near 50°F, while winter highs stay in the mid-30s. That station sits about 1,300 feet lower than the trail's high point, so temperatures on the canyon's ridge run cooler. Ruby Guard is a hike about 0.4 miles away, and the Lower Sharps Canyon mountain biking route is about 0.6 miles off. Krenka Creek is a hike roughly 0.8 miles away, and the Franklin River, about 8 miles away, offers canoeing.

  • Best time to go · May–Oct

    Best time to visit Upper Sharps Canyon

    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° / 16°

      7 wet

    2. Feb

      39° / 18°

      6 wet

    3. Mar

      48° / 25°

      6 wet

    4. Apr

      54° / 30°

      7 wet

    5. May

      64° / 37°

      7 wet

    6. Jun

      74° / 43°

      4 wet

    7. Jul

      84° / 50°

      3 wet

    8. Aug

      83° / 48°

      3 wet

    9. Sep

      74° / 41°

      3 wet

    10. Oct

      61° / 32°

      4 wet

    11. Nov

      46° / 22°

      5 wet

    12. Dec

      35° / 16°

      6 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Arthur 4nw, NV, 2.5 mi away at 6,250 ft. The station sits about 1,300 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.