Road trip guide: Conquering Lucky Boy Pass in Nevada

Lucky Boy Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.449m (8,034ft) above sea level, located in Mineral County, in the U.S. state of Nevada.

Lucky Boy Pass

Where is Lucky Boy Pass?

The pass is located near Hawthorne, in the western part of Nevada, within the Toiyabe National Forest.

Is the road to Lucky Boy Pass unpaved?

The road to the summit is totally unpaved. It’s called Lucky Boy Pass Road. It’s mostly a graded dirt road, suitable for 2-wheel drive vehicles in dry weather. It was originally a path that was developed by prospectors.

How long is the road to Lucky Boy Pass?

The road to the summit is very steep, hitting a 14% of maximum gradient through some of the ramps. Starting at the paved State Road 359, the ascent is 13.19km (8.2 miles) long. Over this distance the elevation gain is 930 meters. The average gradient is 7.05%.

Is the road to Lucky Boy Pass open year-round?

Set high in the Wassuk Range, the pass is typically open all year-round, with the occasional closure in winters due to dangerous weather conditions.
Pic: David Goulart