Mt. Rose Wilderness is a vast wilderness area spanning over 31,000 acres, serving as a unique ecological transition zone between the Sierra Nevada and the Great Basin. This region features significant elevation relief, from lush canyon bottoms to high alpine summits, with Mount Rose itself reaching 10,776 feet. The diverse terrain, including expansive forests, mountain meadows, and rugged trails, provides a compelling setting for several sports like hiking, touring cycling, road cycling, jogging, and more.
120
Routes
4.7
(56)
Average rating
2018
People visited

5.0
(3)
676
riders
118km
05:31
1,260m
1,260m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

37
riders
36.6km
02:00
520m
530m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.

40
riders
32.0km
02:00
830m
830m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

19
riders
18.6km
00:51
190m
190m
Easy road ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
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9
hikers
2.90km
00:51
80m
80m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

7
hikers
15.3km
05:44
630m
640m
Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

6
hikers
2.42km
00:46
100m
100m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

2
hikers
10.3km
04:12
660m
410m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
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5.0
(1)
91
riders
59.0km
05:59
1,350m
1,350m
Hard mountain bike ride. Very good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(2)
31
riders
32.2km
03:18
730m
730m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

23
riders
10.6km
01:10
330m
330m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

10.9km
01:05
290m
280m
Easy mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Suitable for all skill levels.
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26
runners
9.13km
01:15
340m
340m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

10
runners
17.6km
02:27
770m
770m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

7
runners
7.10km
00:46
50m
50m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
3
runners
7.25km
00:53
180m
180m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Some sure footedness required.
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20
riders
28.2km
02:19
830m
830m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(2)
14
riders
14.2km
01:25
190m
190m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

2.0
(1)
11
riders
24.0km
01:25
160m
160m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

12
riders
18.7km
01:38
210m
210m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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11
riders
21.5km
01:49
270m
270m
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

8
riders
27.9km
02:18
310m
310m
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

7
riders
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

2
riders
10.9km
01:00
270m
270m
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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Mt. Rose Wilderness offers opportunities for hiking, jogging, snowshoeing, and backcountry skiing. While touring and road cycling are popular in the broader region, mechanized vehicles, including bicycles, are prohibited within the designated wilderness area. The area features approximately 25 miles (40 km) of trails for various activities.
Popular hiking trails include the 12-mile (19.3 km) round trip to the 10,776-foot Mount Rose Summit, offering panoramic views. The Jones-Whites Creek Loop Trail provides a 9.2-mile (14.8 km) hike through diverse forests. For more options, consult the Hiking in Mt. Rose Wilderness guide.
Yes, Mt. Rose Wilderness offers easier options suitable for beginners or families. The Mount Rose Southeast Ridge Trail is a short, accessible hike with views. The Wood Creek Trail provides a gentle 1.5-mile (2.4 km) path. Further easy routes can be found in the Easy hikes in Mt. Rose Wilderness guide.
The highest point in Mt. Rose Wilderness is Mount Rose Summit, standing at 10,776 feet (3,285 meters). It is the highest peak in the Carson Range on the Nevada side of the Lake Tahoe Basin. The summit offers extensive 360-degree views of the surrounding landscapes.
No, motorized and mechanized vehicles, including mountain bikes and bicycles, are prohibited within the designated Mt. Rose Wilderness area. Cycling activities, such as touring and road cycling, are generally confined to roads and specific trails outside the wilderness boundaries. Guides like Cycling in Mt. Rose Wilderness cover routes in the broader region.
Mt. Rose Wilderness features diverse terrain, including high barren alpine summits, expansive forests, and wildflower-filled mountain meadows. Notable features include the Mount Rose Summit, lush canyon bottoms like Hunter Creek Canyon, and the unique ecological transition zone between the Sierra Nevada and the Great Basin.
The wilderness features nearly 5,800 feet (1,768 meters) of elevation relief. This ranges from the mouth of Hunter Creek in west Reno to the summit of Mount Rose. This significant relief contributes to the varied landscapes and challenging trails available.
Komoot offers several guides for Mt. Rose Wilderness, including Hiking in Mt. Rose Wilderness, Easy hikes in Mt. Rose Wilderness, and Running Trails in Mt. Rose Wilderness. Guides for cycling in the broader region are also available, such as Cycling in Mt. Rose Wilderness.
Mt. Rose Wilderness is a popular destination on komoot, with more than 7,000 visitors having explored routes in the area. The routes have an average rating of 4.69 out of 5 stars. This indicates a high level of satisfaction among outdoor enthusiasts.
Running trails are available within Mt. Rose Wilderness, offering diverse terrain for joggers. Information and specific routes can be found in the Running Trails in Mt. Rose Wilderness guide on komoot. These trails range from gentle paths to more strenuous climbs.
Information regarding Mt. Rose Wilderness is primarily managed by the U.S. Forest Service. The official website for the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit is fs.usda.gov/recarea/ltbmu/recarea/?recid=11786. For direct inquiries, the Carson Ranger District can be reached at +1-775-882-2766.

