An awe-inspiring road to Mount Rose Summit in NV

Mount Rose Summit is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.720m (8,923ft) above the sea level, located in Washoe County, in the U.S. state of Nevada.

How long is the road to Mount Rose Summit in Nevada?

The road to the summit is totally paved and navigable by all passenger vehicles. It’s called State Route 431 (SR 431), also known as Mount Rose Highway or the Mt. Rose Scenic Drive. The pass is 39.10km (24.3 miles) long, running east-south from Reno to Lake Tahoe.

Is the road to Mount Rose Summit in Nevada challenging?

Located near the border with California, the east and west approach to the summit feature hairpin curves. The road is steep, hitting a 9% of maximum gradient through some of the ramps.

Is the road to Mount Rose Summit in NV open?

Set high in the Carson Range, the mountains on the east side of Lake Tahoe, access to the pass is typically open all year round, with the occasional closure in winters due to dangerous weather conditions. It is the highest elevation Sierra pass that is open year-round – not an easy feat since Mt. Rose Summit receives up to 400 inches of snow during the winter. Anyone taking this route in the winter should be aware that during and immediately after winter storms, the road likely will be closed to allow for snow removal operations and, just as importantly, avalanche control. Snow tires and/or snow chains are also frequently required for winter travel, too.

Is the road to Mount Rose Summit in NV worth it?

The road is very scenic, with alpine lakes, waterfalls, and views of Lake Tahoe. The summit dominates the skyline of northern Lake Tahoe, along with the Reno metro area. The drive is often very busy during the summer, especially on the weekends. Travelers on the route will have excellent views of Washoe Valley, Washoe Lake, the Lake Tahoe Basin and the high peaks of the Sierras. The Mount Rose Summit Parking Area sits at an elevation of 8,911'. The peak was named after Jacob S, Rose, an early settler.