+ 90
Mount Rose Summit
Hiking Trail
Hard
9.74 mi
2,291 ft
Strenuous ascent to a big reward atop the highest peak on Lake Tahoe’s Nevada side.
Mount Rose, at 10,779 feet above sea level, is the highest peak in the Carson Range, the mountains on the east side of Lake Tahoe. It is the second highest peak in the entire Tahoe Basin, after Freel Peak. Despite its imposing height and intimidating slide-path slopes, the ascent of Mount Rose is actually quite accessible to moderately fit hikers, and makes a very popular challenge for locals and visitors alike. The trail follows a less-steep weakness up the mountain’s southwest flank with incredible scenery the whole way.
This hike begins at the Mount Rose Summit parking area on NV-431, and starts out on the Tahoe Rim Trail heading west. The first few miles traverse rock-strewn hillside through sunny stands of spruce and fir. Through gaps in the trees, you’ll see Mount Rose looming not so far in the distance.
It all gets much more interesting at an intersection where a sign points out the trail to Mount Rose Summit (the actual summit, not the trailhead). Follow this downhill to cross a creek, pause for an excellent view of Galena Creek Falls, then promptly begin the climb up the mountain.
It begins as a mellow ascent through flowery mountainside meadows with an excellent vantage over the valley. The views remain, but the gentle gradient does not, as the trail goes on. Soon it begins a leg-burning ascent along a scree-filled gully, then gains a ridgeline for a brief respite before a set of switchbacks that punch above treeline. This is when the views get truly spectacular, and you gain the summit ridge with views spilling away in all directions.
Continue across the exposed ridgeline of broken volcanic rock to the summit, where a stone windbreak stands for good reason. If you’re lucky enough to have a calm day, linger and enjoy your hard-earned command over the Carson Range.
Sources:
Written by Jesse Weber
Mount Rose, at 10,779 feet above sea level, is the highest peak in the Carson Range, the mountains on the east side of Lake Tahoe. It is the second highest peak in the entire Tahoe Basin, after Freel Peak. Despite its imposing height and intimidating slide-path slopes, the ascent of Mount Rose is actually quite accessible to moderately fit hikers, and makes a very popular challenge for locals and visitors alike. The trail follows a less-steep weakness up the mountain’s southwest flank with incredible scenery the whole way.
This hike begins at the Mount Rose Summit parking area on NV-431, and starts out on the Tahoe Rim Trail heading west. The first few miles traverse rock-strewn hillside through sunny stands of spruce and fir. Through gaps in the trees, you’ll see Mount Rose looming not so far in the distance.
It all gets much more interesting at an intersection where a sign points out the trail to Mount Rose Summit (the actual summit, not the trailhead). Follow this downhill to cross a creek, pause for an excellent view of Galena Creek Falls, then promptly begin the climb up the mountain.
It begins as a mellow ascent through flowery mountainside meadows with an excellent vantage over the valley. The views remain, but the gentle gradient does not, as the trail goes on. Soon it begins a leg-burning ascent along a scree-filled gully, then gains a ridgeline for a brief respite before a set of switchbacks that punch above treeline. This is when the views get truly spectacular, and you gain the summit ridge with views spilling away in all directions.
Continue across the exposed ridgeline of broken volcanic rock to the summit, where a stone windbreak stands for good reason. If you’re lucky enough to have a calm day, linger and enjoy your hard-earned command over the Carson Range.
Sources:
Written by Jesse Weber
Route and Elevation
Segments
| Name | Distance | Elev. Diff. | Avg. Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Highway to Mt Rose Trailhead | 2.57 mi | 269 ft | 1.1% |
| Mt. Rose Kiosk to the Top! | 4.94 mi | 1,706 ft | 6.5% |
| One Mile | 0.89 mi | 223 ft | 4.7% |
| Two Miles | 1.95 mi | 253 ft | 1.5% |
| Trailhead to Waterfall | 2.35 mi | 253 ft | 0.8% |
| Mt Rose Hwy Climb | 0.79 mi | 167 ft | 3.9% |
| Waterfall To Summit | 2.53 mi | 1,736 ft | 12.9% |
| Unnamed Road Climb | 0.41 mi | 171 ft | 7.7% |
| Wilderness Sign to Summit | 1.23 mi | 968 ft | 14.9% |
| Unnamed Road Climb | 0.42 mi | 240 ft | 10.6% |
| Unnamed Road Climb | 0.19 mi | 203 ft | 19.6% |
| Tahoe Rim 4way to Mt. Rose Summit TH (descent) | 0.59 mi | -171 ft | -5.1% |