Bunker Hill Road to White Pine Creek — Snake Range Remote Backcountry
Bristlecone country and mining ghosts above Great Basin.
Most people who visit Great Basin National Park park at the visitor center, hike to Lehman Caves, and drive home. The overlanders who know better head up the backside into the Snake Range on routes like this one — climbing from the desert floor near Baker through pinyon-juniper into the subalpine zone where the ancient bristlecone pines hold their ground at 10,000 feet. Bunker Hill Road and the spurs feeding into White Pine Creek drainage are old mining access routes, and you’ll pass the remnants of silver and tungsten operations scattered across the hillsides. The road surface goes from graded gravel to loose rock to two-track ruts depending on where you wander — the upper reaches above 9,000 feet are genuinely rocky and slow going.
This is a high-clearance 4WD route but not an extreme crawler — a stock 4Runner or equivalent will manage if you’re careful, though a lift helps on the upper sections. The payoff is legitimate wilderness camping at altitude with virtually no competition for sites and some of the darkest skies in the continental United States. Best season is June through October; roads can be snow-blocked into early summer. No permit required for dispersed camping in Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. Fuel in Ely before you leave — Baker has a small market but nothing reliable for gas. Cell service is nonexistent out here.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, High Clearance, Overland Route |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Mixed, Rock |
| Features | Camping, High Altitude, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 28 mi / 45.1 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 10200 ft |
| Best season | June-October |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD |
| Nearest town | Baker, NV |
| Land manager | Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest / Great Basin National Park |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | nps.gov |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a lifted Tacoma or stock 4Runner handle Bunker Hill Road to White Pine Creek?
A stock 4Runner with decent all-terrain tires will manage most of it, but the rocky two-track sections pushing toward 10,200 ft genuinely want high-clearance 4WD — not AWD, not a crossover. A lifted rig with skid plates is the smarter call given the remote exposure.
When does snow close this route, and can you run it in May?
May is a gamble — snow lingers at elevation in the Snake Range well into June most years. Stick to June through October; late-season storms can roll in by late September, so check conditions through Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest before committing.
Do you need a permit to camp or drive this route?
No permit is required for dispersed camping on Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest land along this route. If you cross into Great Basin National Park boundaries, NPS backcountry regulations apply — check nps.gov/grba for current requirements before you go.
What's the hardest section and what should I actually be ready for?
The upper rocky two-track approaching the high ridgeline is where it gets serious — loose rock, off-camber shelf road, and no bailout options nearby. The trail is rated Moderate but the remoteness and 3,800 ft of gain mean a breakdown here is a real problem, not an inconvenience.
How far is the nearest gas from the trailhead, and is there any cell service on route?
Baker, NV is your last reliable fuel stop — fill up there, it's a small town with limited hours so don't assume the pump is open late. Cell service is zero on this route; someone should know your itinerary and expected return before you roll out.
Trail track
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