Carson Pass to Markleeville Backcountry Loop

Carson Pass sits at 8,574 feet where Kit Carson’s party crossed the Sierra Nevada in 1844, and this loop drops you into some of the most pristine backcountry straddling the California-Nevada border. The route winds through Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, past abandoned mining camps like Monitor Pass, before descending into Nevada’s Carson Valley. You’ll navigate rocky volcanic terrain, cross seasonal streams, and thread narrow ridgeline tracks with thousand-foot drops into alpine valleys.

This is moderate to difficult terrain requiring high-clearance 4WD, with loose rock sections and steep grades that’ll test your line choice. Snow blocks the high country from October through June, so plan for July through September. Carry extra fuel—services are 60+ miles apart—and plenty of water for dust and altitude. The payoff is massive: untracked Sierra wilderness, historic mining relics, and some of the most spectacular alpine scenery in Nevada. Dispersed camping is abundant once you’re off the main Forest Service roads.