Ward Loop J
- 1.8 mi
- round trip
- 90 ft
- climb
- 7,355 ft
- high point
- Out and back
- route
- May–Sep
- best months
Is Ward Loop J open right now?
Closure in the area
There's a closure order in Ely Ranger District. It doesn't name Ward Loop J, 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.
Ward Loop J is an easy, short hike in the Ely Ranger District of Nevada's Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, about 1.8 miles long and rising about 90 feet from a low point of 7,265 feet to a high of 7,355 feet. The trail is an out-and-back, and the Forest Service manages the land. The route is natural-surfaced and open to both horses and bikes, so it works for riders and pack animals as well as hikers. It sits among a cluster of Ward Loop trails, with Ward Loop A just 0.1 mile away and Ward Loop I at 0.2 mile. Ward Mtn. Campground (Murray Summit) is 0.3 mile off, and Ward Mountain Campground is 0.5 mile away. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Ruth, Nevada, show July highs around 84°F with lows near 47°F, while winter brings highs in the upper 30s and regular snow days from December through February. The trail is open year-round.
Best time to go · May–Sep
Best time to visit Ward Loop J
Best months: May–September. 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.
Jan
38° / 9°
6 wet · 6 snow
Feb
40° / 12°
6 wet · 5 snow
Mar
47° / 19°
7 wet · 5 snow
Apr
54° / 24°
7 wet · 3 snow
May
64° / 32°
7 wet · 1 snow
Jun
76° / 40°
5 wet
Jul
84° / 47°
5 wet
Aug
82° / 46°
6 wet
Sep
75° / 36°
5 wet
Oct
61° / 25°
4 wet · 1 snow
Nov
47° / 16°
5 wet · 3 snow
Dec
37° / 7°
6 wet · 5 snow
Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Ruth, NV, 4.3 mi away at 6,858 ft. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.
Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive
HIKE
Ward Loop A
Next door
A 1.92-mile out-and-back trail in Nevada connected to the C Loop and Birkibeiner Loops system.
HIKE
Ward Mountain Recreation Area - BIRKIBEINER LOOP
Next door
4.21-mile lollipop trail in Nevada with 102 ft gain.
HIKE
Ice Plant Canyon
~7 min drive
8.90-mile out-and-back trail in Nevada with 1,298 ft elevation gain.
HIKE
Ward Loop I
Next door
Ward Loop I is a 1.38-mile out-and-back trail in Nevada with 44 feet of elevation gain.
HIKE
Ward Loop G
~1 min drive
5.30-mile out-and-back trail in Nevada with 514 ft elevation gain.
HIKE
Squaw Peak Hill Climb
~9 min drive
9.86-mile out-and-back hill climb in Nevada with 2,754 ft elevation gain
HIKE
Ward Loop K
Next door
2.60-mile out-and-back trail in Nevada with 189 ft of elevation gain.
HIKE
Ward Loop L Trail
~2 min drive
3.16-mile out-and-back hike in Nevada with 1,139 ft elevation gain and loss.
HIKE
Cave Valley Road
~15 min drive
8.28-mile out-and-back gravel trail in Nevada with 331 ft elevation gain.
HIKE
Ward Mountain Recreation Area - A (REVENUE) LOOP
Next door
0.44-mile lollipop trail in Nevada with 55 ft gain.
