Skip to main content
ForestMatters, LLC

Table Mountain Trail

Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, Nevada · 4 min read

Distance
6 mi
Elevation Gain
1,600 ft
Difficulty
moderate
Route Type
Out-And-Back
Best Season
June through September
Dog Friendly
Yes
Difficulty Score
6 / 10
Trailhead Amenities
Restroom
None
Parking
Free
Cell Service
No Signal
Water
None
Camping
Dispersed
Google MapsApple Maps

Conditions, regulations, and fees change frequently. Verify with the local ranger district before your trip. Full disclaimer

At a Glance

  • Broad alpine mesa at 11,000 feet with unrestricted Great Basin views
  • Bristlecone pine groves on the mesa edge
  • Genuine remoteness: the Toquima Range is one of central Nevada's most isolated ranges
  • Access to the highest table-like landform in the Great Basin

Overview

Table Mountain rises in the Toquima Range of central Nevada, a flat-topped alpine mesa at approximately 11,000 feet that is the most unusual landform in Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. While most high-elevation hiking in the Great Basin follows narrow ridgelines or peaks with a specific high point, Table Mountain provides a broad, open plateau that allows extended tundra walking with unobstructed 360-degree views. The experience of crossing this mesa is qualitatively different from most Nevada high-country hiking.

The 6-mile out-and-back from the Jefferson Summit area trailhead gains 1,600 feet through the subalpine zone before reaching the mesa edge. The climb follows a clear trail through limber pine and mountain mahogany before the vegetation drops away and the open mesa expands. Bristlecone pines line the mesa's western edge, ancient and gnarled individuals that have survived thousands of winters at this elevation. The views from the mesa span the full width of Nevada's basin-and-range topography: desert valleys visible in all directions, with other ranges rising as blue ridgelines to the horizon.

The Toquima Range sees far fewer visitors than the Spring Mountains or Ruby Mountains, consistent with the pattern throughout the central Nevada section of Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. Getting here requires navigating state routes through ranch country and then forest roads, and the nearest significant population center is the small city of Tonopah. For hikers seeking genuine solitude at high elevation, this trail delivers. Review our Leave No Trace guide for tundra travel practices, which are particularly important on fragile alpine mesa terrain.

The Route

Miles 0 to 2.0 (Lower Forest Approach): The trail climbs from the Jefferson Summit trailhead through limber pine and scattered sagebrush. The gradient is moderate. The Toquima Valley is visible below as the trail gains elevation.

Miles 2.0 to 3.0 (Mesa Approach): The vegetation opens dramatically as the trail reaches the mesa edge. The last half mile climbs steeply to the mesa top. Bristlecone pine individuals appear near the mesa edge.

The Mesa (Mile 3.0): The flat top of Table Mountain extends in all directions. The walking is open and pathless; navigate by the clear horizon and compass or GPS bearing. The mesa edge to the south and east provides the best long-range views. Return via the same approach trail.

The Return: Descend the same route.

When to Visit

June through September. The mesa holds snow into June in most years. The trail to the mesa edge is accessible earlier. Summer afternoons bring thunderstorm risk on the exposed mesa; plan to complete mesa walking by early afternoon. Fall is excellent for clear Great Basin views.

Before any trip to this remote area, check conditions and weather forecasts via our pre-trip resources guide.

What to Bring

Many hikers carry 2 to 3 liters for this remote trail. There is no water on or near the trail; carry everything from your vehicle.

Consider bringing:

  • More water than expected: the mesa is exposed and dry
  • Wind protection for the open mesa
  • Topographic map and GPS for open mesa navigation
  • Snacks for the exposed mesa walking

Practical Details

No permit required (as of 2026). Free campfire permit for any open fire. Dogs allowed on leash. No facilities at the trailhead. High-clearance vehicle recommended for the forest road approach.

Veterans visiting Humboldt-Toiyabe should review our veteran benefits guide.

Getting There

From Tonopah, drive north on US Route 6 and State Route 376 approximately 45 miles toward Austin. Turn left on Jefferson Summit Road (Forest Road 020) toward the Toquima Range. The trailhead is approximately 8 miles from State Route 376. The forest road requires a high-clearance vehicle. Download offline maps before leaving Tonopah, where the last fuel and services are available. Cell service ends well before the trailhead.

Trailhead Parking

Gravel parking at the Table Mountain Trailhead off State Route 376, approximately 8 miles west of Belmont via Jefferson Summit Road

← Back to Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest

More Trails in Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest

strenuousout-and-back

Arc Dome Summit

16 mi4,700 ft gain
July through September

Arc Dome Summit is a 16-mile out-and-back to the highest point in the Toiyabe Range at 11,773 feet, climbing 4,700 feet through one of the most remote wilderness areas in the contiguous United States.

4 min read

moderateout-and-back

Bristlecone Trail

5.4 mi1,100 ft gain
May through October

The Bristlecone Trail is a 5.4-mile out-and-back in the Spring Mountains National Recreation Area, climbing through an ancient bristlecone pine forest to views over the Las Vegas Valley and the surrounding Mojave Desert.

3 min read

easy-moderateout-and-back

Galena Creek Trail

5.4 mi800 ft gain
April through November

The Galena Creek Trail is a 5.4-mile out-and-back in Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest near Reno, following a year-round creek through ponderosa pine and aspen to a viewpoint at 8,100 feet above the Reno valley.

3 min read

easy-moderateloop

Las Vegas Watershed Loop

6 mi800 ft gain
April through November

The Las Vegas Watershed Loop is a 6-mile circuit in the Spring Mountains National Recreation Area of Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, offering a cooler escape from the Las Vegas valley through ponderosa pine and white fir forest.

4 min read

strenuousloop

Charleston Peak via North Loop

10.2 mi4,700 ft gain
June through October

Charleston Peak via the North Loop Trail is a 10.2-mile loop in the Spring Mountains National Recreation Area, climbing 4,700 feet to the 11,918-foot summit of Nevada's highest accessible peak via a spectacular ridgeline circuit.

4 min read

strenuousout-and-back

Island Lake via Ruby Crest

14 mi3,000 ft gain
July through September

Island Lake via the Ruby Crest Trail is a 14-mile out-and-back in the Ruby Mountains of Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, climbing 3,000 feet through Nevada's finest alpine terrain to a glacier-carved lake basin.

4 min read

moderate-hardout-and-back

Toiyabe Crest Trail Section

8 mi1,800 ft gain
June through September

This 8-mile out-and-back section of the Toiyabe Crest Trail in Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest samples the remote high country of central Nevada's Toiyabe Range, with 1,800 feet of gain along open ridgeline and subalpine meadow terrain.

4 min read

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Table Mountain unique?
Table Mountain is a broad, flat-topped alpine mesa at approximately 11,000 feet in the Toquima Range, an unusual landform in the Great Basin's typically ridgeline-dominated terrain. The mesa allows walking across open tundra with views in all directions rather than the narrow ridge crest typical of most high-route hiking in the region.
Is Table Mountain in the Arc Dome Wilderness?
Table Mountain is in the Toquima Range, which is adjacent to but separate from the Arc Dome Wilderness in the Toiyabe Range. Both ranges are part of Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, but the Toquima Range has its own character and trail system.
How remote is the Table Mountain trailhead?
Extremely remote. The nearest services are in Tonopah (approximately 60 miles south) or Austin (approximately 50 miles north via US Route 50). The area is suitable for hikers comfortable with self-sufficiency and prepared for complete cell service absence.
Is Table Mountain good for alpine tundra hiking?
Yes. The flat mesa top provides the unusual opportunity to walk across open alpine tundra for extended distances, unlike the ridgeline trails that characterize most high-elevation hiking in Nevada. The mesa supports low-growing alpine plants, occasional snowfields in early season, and consistent wind.