Hike the Timber Creek Trail
What to Expect
Safety Advisory
You're starting above 8,000 feet and climbing to nearly 9,500 — if you drove in from the Nevada desert that morning, the altitude will hit harder than expected. Give yourself a buffer day to acclimate, or at minimum take the climb slow and watch for headache or dizziness.
Creek crossings can run high during spring snowmelt, typically May through mid-June. The crossings aren't bridged, so waterproof boots or trekking sandals for fording are worth the pack weight.
Trail Details
Pro Tips
Start the loop clockwise from Baker Creek Trailhead — the steepest pitches are easier to climb than descend on the loose, gravelly sections, and you'll hit the meadow views with fresh legs.
This trail is your ace when Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive is closed for snow, which can last well into June. While everyone else is stuck at the visitor center wondering what to do, you'll have five miles of backcountry practically to yourself.
The meadow clearings about two miles in face east toward Wheeler Peak — arrive by mid-morning for the best light on the range, or come in late afternoon when the meadow grasses turn gold and the creek crossings catch the low sun.
Photos
S. Horak
