Nevada · Mountain biking · Cave Lake State Park

West Square Top

4.0 mi
distance
903 ft
climb
May–Sep
best months

Is West Square Top open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Ely Ranger District. It doesn't name West Square Top, so check the source for the area it covers (2 listed).

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

West Square Top is a mountain biking destination in Nevada's Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, within the Ely Ranger District. The Forest Service manages the land, and the route starts at about 7,639 feet, climbing to a high point of 7,978 feet over roughly 4 miles. That makes the ride a little over 900 feet of elevation gain, with a longer drop of about 1,745 feet on the way back. The steepest part of the climb comes around mile 2.7, where the grade reaches about 14%. Summer is the most comfortable time to ride. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Ruth put July highs around 84°F with lows near 47°F, while winter months bring highs in the upper 30s and regular snow days. The Square Top climbing area sits just 0.4 miles away, and the South Square Top hike is about 0.6 miles off. Mountain bikers can also pick up the Steptoe Creek Trail and the High Roller within a mile.

  • Best time to go · May–Sep

    Best time to visit West Square Top

    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.

    1. Jan

      38° / 9°

      6 wet · 6 snow

    2. Feb

      40° / 12°

      6 wet · 5 snow

    3. Mar

      47° / 19°

      7 wet · 5 snow

    4. Apr

      54° / 24°

      7 wet · 3 snow

    5. May

      64° / 32°

      7 wet · 1 snow

    6. Jun

      76° / 40°

      5 wet

    7. Jul

      84° / 47°

      5 wet

    8. Aug

      82° / 46°

      6 wet

    9. Sep

      75° / 36°

      5 wet

    10. Oct

      61° / 25°

      4 wet · 1 snow

    11. Nov

      47° / 16°

      5 wet · 3 snow

    12. Dec

      37° / 7°

      6 wet · 5 snow

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Ruth, NV, 16.7 mi away at 6,858 ft. The station sits about 1,100 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Keep exploring — more rides worth the drive

High RollerPhoto: Famartin, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

High Roller

~1 min drive

2.16-mile trail in Cave Lake State Park, Nevada with 865 ft elevation gain.

Cave Springs LoopPhoto: Famartin, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Cave Springs Loop

~3 min drive

2.74-mile loop at Cave Lake State Park with 836 ft elevation gain

Ward Loop FPhoto: Chris M Morris, CC BY 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Ward Loop F

~25 min drive

1.12-mile trail in Ward Mountain Recreation Area North Trailhead, Nevada

Steptoe Creek TrailPhoto: Famartin, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Steptoe Creek Trail

~1 min drive

1.59-mile trail in Cave Lake State Park, Nevada, gaining 581 ft.

South Square TopPhoto: Famartin, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

South Square Top

~1 min drive

1.97-mile trail in Cave Lake State Park, Nevada with 1,151 ft elevation gain.

Cave Lake LoopPhoto: Famartin, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Cave Lake Loop

~2 min drive

3.96-mile loop in Cave Lake State Park, Nevada with 1,732 ft elevation gain.

RIDE

Tin Pan Alley

~18 min drive

0.37-mile trail in Murry Point, Nevada with 116 ft elevation gain.

RIDE

Upper Slalom

~18 min drive

Upper Slalom is a 1.50-mile trail at Murry Point with 74 ft of elevation gain.

RIDE

Ice Plant Loop

~18 min drive

0.81-mile loop at Murry Point with 281 ft of elevation gain

RIDE

The Whoops

~18 min drive

0.80-mile point-to-point trail at Murry Point with 43 ft elevation gain

Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors