Where is Mount Rose Summit?
Usa, north-america
39.1 km
2,720 m
hard
Year-round
Cruising the Mount Rose Summit is an absolute must-do if you're near Reno or Lake Tahoe in Nevada! This high-altitude pass tops out at a whopping 8,923 feet!
Where is it, you ask? It's nestled in western Nevada, practically hugging the California border. They named the peak after some old-time settler dude, Jacob S. Rose.
The road itself, State Route 431 (aka Mount Rose Highway), is a smooth, paved 24.3-mile ribbon connecting Reno and Lake Tahoe.
Now, heads up, it's not a casual Sunday drive. Expect some hairpin turns on both sides of the summit and some seriously steep sections with grades up to 9%.
Perched high in the Carson Range, this pass is usually open year-round – a pretty impressive feat considering Mt. Rose gets hammered with up to 400 inches of snow each winter! Just be warned that winter storms can shut it down for snow removal and avalanche control. Snow tires or chains are often a must in winter!
But, oh my, is it worth it! Think alpine lakes, cascading waterfalls, and epic views of Lake Tahoe. The summit lords over Lake Tahoe's northern edge and the Reno cityscape. Weekends in summer can get crowded, but you'll be rewarded with stunning vistas of Washoe Valley, Washoe Lake, the Lake Tahoe Basin, and the majestic Sierra peaks. The Mount Rose Summit Parking Area sits at a cool 8,911 feet. Get ready for some serious photo ops!
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 39.1 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,720 m
- Difficulty
- hard
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