Nevada · Mountain biking · Old Man of the Mountain

South Fork Cold Creek

2.5 mi
distance
884 ft
climb
May–Oct
best months

Is South Fork Cold Creek open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. It doesn't name South Fork Cold Creek, 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.

South Fork Cold Creek is a mountain biking route in the Mountain City-Ruby Mountains-Jarbidge Ranger District of Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest in Nevada. It starts at about 6,690 feet and climbs to about 7,590 feet over 2.5 miles, with a total elevation gain of 884 feet and a total loss of 595 feet on the return. The route is most comfortable in late spring and early fall, when typical averages from a nearby weather station at a lower elevation show highs around 64°F in May and 74°F in September. That station sits well below the route, so temperatures up high run cooler. The steepest part of the climb comes at about 0.35 miles, where the grade reaches 14%. Conrad Creek, a mountain biking route, lies about a mile away, and the Middle Fork Cold Creek hike and the Joe Billy Basin Trail are both within about a mile. Farther out, Lamoille Canyon offers climbing about 6 miles away.

  • Best time to go · May–Oct

    Best time to visit South Fork Cold Creek

    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, 9.5 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.

Keep exploring — more rides worth the drive

Joe Billy BasinPhoto: Famartin, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Joe Billy Basin

~5 min drive

Joe Billy Basin is a 1.00-mile trail in Nevada with 79 ft of elevation gain.

Joe Billy North CampsitePhoto: Famartin, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Joe Billy North Campsite

~6 min drive

0.79-mile trail in Old Man of the Mountain trail system, Nevada.

Lamoille-Gardner Creek THPhoto: Scott Thompson, CC BY 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Lamoille-Gardner Creek TH

~13 min drive

1.83-mile trail at Soldier Peak with 650 ft elevation gain

Krenka NorthPhoto: Scott Thompson, CC BY 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Krenka North

~13 min drive

0.45-mile trail at Soldier Peak with 428 ft of elevation gain.

Gardner Creek LoopPhoto: Scott Thompson, CC BY 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Gardner Creek Loop

~13 min drive

1.06-mile loop at Soldier Peak with 217 ft gain

RIDE

Conrad Creek

~2 min drive

1.77-mile trail in Nevada with 294 ft elevation gain

RIDE

Middle Fork Cold Creek

~2 min drive

1.50-mile trail in Nevada's Old Man of the Mountain system with 1006 ft of elevation gain.

RIDE

North Fork Cold Creek

~7 min drive

1.03-mile trail in Old Man of the Mountain trail system, 49 ft elevation gain

RIDE

Robinson Lake

~7 min drive

0.37-mile trail at Old Man of the Mountain with 168 ft gain

RIDE

Hidden Lakes

~7 min drive

1.17-mile trail in Old Man of the Mountain trail system, 737 ft elevation gain

Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors