Hike to Thunder Mountain at Carson Pass

Amador County, California

Save

View all 8 photos

All 8 photos

Save Review Directions Add Photo

Details

Distance

7 miles

Route Type

Out-and-Back

Description

Added by Christin Healey

Great hike any time of the day, but especially amazing for sunrise. A relatively short and straightforward hike to see both Silver Lake & Kirkwood ski mountain from the Carson Pass area with lots of solitude.

The trailhead begins on Rt 88 just past Kirkwood Resort or Silver Lake - depending on which way you are headed. There is plenty of parking but no other amenities. The trail begins at 7,900 ft and climbs steadily up Two Sentinels then along the ridge to Martins Point, ending at the 9,408ft summit of Thunder Mountain. The trail is very easy to follow even in the dark, so it's a perfect sunrise hike for all levels.

Post hike, head to Kirkwood Mountain Resort for coffee and breakfast, or take in the views at one of the nearby lakes with your own camp coffee. Great little hike that's totally under the radar.

Download the Outbound mobile app

Find adventures and camping on the go, share photos, use GPX tracks, and download maps for offline use.

Get the app

Features

Fitness

Photography

Running

Hiking

Dog Friendly

Easy Parking

Food Nearby

Forest

Romantic

Scenic

Reviews

Have you done this adventure? Be the first to leave a review!

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Nearby

Caples Lake to Emigrant Lake

This is an awesome out-and-back hike for the weekend warrior. The trail begins at the western-most point of Caples Lake, and takes you to Emigrant Lake. The first 2/3 of the trail is rather flat and appropriate for all skill levels. The last mile up to the lake schleps up the hill, and has some uneven terrain that may not be suitable for people with limited mobility and/or small children. Howe...

Hike to Granite Lake

Take the road to Kit Carson Lodge. When the road turns to dirt, take this one-lane dirt road as far as you can go. The road terminates into a round parking area, however, as of the writing of this post, there was a large tree blocking the road about 250 ft before the end.The Trailhead is clearly marked just before the parking area. From this jump-off point, you can go to Amy lake, Granite Lake,...

Camping at The Pots

This fantastic camping or chilling spot has beautiful granite pools and slides of all sizes. The area consists of a river flowing over a granite slab creating pools some of which are over ten feet deep. The water cascades down the granite in small water falls. The area is located next to Silver Lake in Amador County just off of Highway 88.If you are leaving from the Tahoe area, head southbound ...

Hike Round Top Summit and Winnemucca Lake Loop

This hike begins near the Woods Lake campground. Start off by hiking towards Winnemucca Lake. You will begin your journey going through the forest beside a crystal-clear stream. Soon the trail opens up to become more open, full of all colours of wild flowers. You follow this breathtaking trail up through meadows to the blue-green waters of Winnemucca Lake (~1.5miles). Take a well-deserved break...

Hike The Sisters in the Mokelumnee Wilderness

The Sisters offer a great day hike with fun scrambling and beautiful views of the Northern Sierra, Lake Tahoe, the Mokelumnee Wilderness, and the Carson River Canyon.The trail to The Sisters begins at Woods Lake (38.6855° N, 120.0095° W), at the end of Woods Lake Road off Highway 88, 1.5 miles west of the Carson Pass. Note that Woods Lake Road is not open during the winter.Take the obvious trai...

Hike to Thunder Mountain at Carson Pass

Details

Description

Download the Outbound mobile app

Features

Reviews

Leave No Trace

Nearby

Caples Lake to Emigrant Lake

Hike to Granite Lake

Camping at The Pots

Hike Round Top Summit and Winnemucca Lake Loop

Hike The Sisters in the Mokelumnee Wilderness

Meiss and Round Lake via Tahoe Rim Trail

Discover

Community

Company

Follow Us

Mobile Apps