Carson Pass Snowmobiling

Silver Bear Trails and Hope Valley Routes






Back Country Safety

  • Check with the Forest Service before heading out to be sure conditions are safe on the route you will be using.
  • Always carry emergency supplies and a cell phone.
  • Let a responsible person know where you are going and when you will be returning.
  • Travel with at least one other snowmobile.

The Sierra Avalanche Center provides information about avalanche conditions in the Sierra from Yuba Pass in the north to Ebbetts Pass in the south. Visit their website at Sierra Avalanche Center.

The Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest Carson Ranger District Winter Recreation Guide has a map and safety guidelines.


Snowmobile Tours

Lake Tahoe Adventures

Lake Tahoe Adventures offers guided scenic back country snowmobile tours of Hope Valley. 2-hour tours range from beginner to advanced. Prices range from $130 to $220.
(800) 865-4679
Lake Tahoe Adventures

Carson Pass Snowmobiling

photo of snowmobile on Carson Pass, CA

Carson Pass has two main snowmobiling regions, each with a Snow-Park staging area, miles of groomed and ungroomed roads, and acres of open country. Silver Bear Snowmobiling Trails begin at the Iron Mountain Sno-Park about 25 miles east of Jackson. Hope Valley Snowmobiling Trails launch from the Hope Valley Sno-Park on the east side of the pass. The area around the summit of Carson Pass is closed to snowmobiling.

Carson Pass Sno-Parks

Two Sno-Parks along Highway 88 are designated for snowmobile use: Iron Mountain and Hope Valley.

Sno-Parks are parking areas maintained in the winter to allow people to park safely and pursue winter activities such as cross-county skiing or snowmobiling. They have pit toilets available. To use a Sno-Park you must have a permit. You can purchase a day permit for $5 or an annual pass (Nov. 1 - May 30) for $25. They are good at any California, Oregon, Washington, or Idaho Sno-Park.

In Amador and Alpine counties passes can be purchased at the following places:

  • Amador Ranger District office, 26820 Silver Drive, Pioneer
  • Buckhorn Plaza Hardware, 26659 Tiger Creek Road, Pioneer
  • Alpine County Chamber of Commerce, 3 Webster Street, Markleeville
  • Kirkwood Mountain Resort General Store, 1501 Kirkwood Meadows Drive, Kirkwood

For a complete list of locations that sell Sno-Park permits in California, see
California Sno-Park Vendors
Permits may also be purchased online for an additional $1.95 at
Sno-Park Permits.

Carson Pass Sno-Park Locations

Iron Mountain Sno-Park: Located at the junction of Mormon-Emigrant Trail Road and Highway 88. Restrooms. Recommended activities there include snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, dog sledding, and snow play.
Meiss Meadow Sno-Park: Located one mile west of the summit of Carson Pass. Restrooms. Recommended activities there include cross-country skiing, dog sledding, and snow play. Snowmobiling is not allowed there.
Carson Pass Sno-Park: Located at the summit of Carson Pass. Restrooms. Recommended activities there include cross-country skiing, dog sledding, and snow play. Snowmobiling is not allowed there.
Hope Valley Sno-Park: Located at on Blue Lakes Road close to Highway 88. Restrooms. Recommended activities there include cross-country skiing, dog sledding, and snowmobiling.

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Silver Bear Snowmobile Trails

photo of Iron Mountain Sno-Park on Carson Pass, CA

Staging Area: Iron Mountain Sno-Park (shown right)
Distance: 36 mile loop
Difficulty: Moderate
Depending on snow levels and weather conditions, 20-55 miles of groomed routes in the Silver Bear snowmobile trail system are maintained throughout the winter. The System consists of several out and back and loop trails suitable for day outings. The trails are marked with international symbols and orange diamond-shaped signs.


map of Silver Bear Snowmobile Trails on Carson Pass, CA

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Hope Valley Snowmobile Trails

Staging Area: Hope Valley Sno-Park
Distance: 1 - 11 miles
Difficulty: Easy - Moderate
Much of Hope Valley is open to snowmobiling, but there are areas that are not. For some of the routes listed below snowmobile riders must stay on the designated trail. It would be helpful to pick up the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest's Winter Recreation Guide for the Carson Ranger District, available at the Carson Ranger District office, 1536 S. Carson St., Carson City, Nevada.
Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest Carson Ranger District Winter Recreation Guide and Map

Hope Valley Snowmobile Routes

  1. Willow Creek: 8.5 miles, ungroomed. Ride in the corridor only. Crosses highways 88 and 89.
  2. Blue Lakes Road: 11.5 miles, groomed. Follow posted speed limit signs.
  3. Forestdale Road: 3.5 miles, ungroomed. Ride in the road corridor only. For information on seasonal closure, contract the District at (775) 882-2766.
  4. Tamarack Lake: 1.0 miles, groomed.

map of Hope Valley snowmobiling trails near Carson Pass, CA

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Other Sierra Passes - Other Snowmobiling Adventures

Ebbetts Pass

logo saying Ebbetts Pass Adventures, Murphys to Markleeville

Snowmobiling on Ebbetts Pass Scenic Byway (Highway 4) is among the best in the Sierra. Strike out from the SnoPark near Bear Valley and head up the pass for spectacular riding and scenery. The SnoPark at the Spicer Meadow Road turnoff is the staging area for all the routes out to Spicer, Union and Utica Reservoirs. Find complete information at Ebbetts Pass Adventures.

Echo Summit

logo saying Dsicover Echo Summit, Pollock Pines to Meyers, CA

A short distance to the north, Echo Summit (Highway 50), has more places for snowmobiling. Follow the Mormon Emigrant Trail Road or visit Crystal Basin. Read about your choices on
Discover Echo Summit.

Sonora Pass

logo saying Sonora Pass Vacations

Snowmobilers on Sonora Pass (Highway 108) make the journey up the Sonora Pass highway from the SnoPark near Strawberry an annual event. Read about it at Sonora Pass Vacations.

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