Neature
Peak · Alpine Lakes Wilderness

Nimbus Mountain

11.6 mi round trip4,243 ft gainVery hardDay hike: Free self-issueOvernight: Free self-issue
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Permits and reservations

Day hikeFree self-issue
Fill out the free wilderness permit at the trailhead kiosk.
OvernightFree self-issue
No reservation. Use the same free permit, keep groups to 12 or fewer, and camp at least 200 ft from water.

Alpine Lakes Wilderness rules from the Forest Service. Matched from official wilderness boundaries. Always confirm with the land manager before you go.

About the trail

Distance11.6 miRound trip, out and back
Elevation gain4,243 ftTotal climb, round trip
Summit6,713 ftFrom elevation data

Overview

Nimbus Mountain is a peak reached by a 11.6-mile round trip from Surprise Creek Trailhead. The route follows Surprise Creek Trail, then Trap Pass Trail, then Pacific Crest Trail, then Thunder Mountain Lakes Trail to the summit.

Photos from hikers

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What you need

Parking and passes

Forest Service trailhead: display a Northwest Forest Pass or an interagency pass (America the Beautiful).

Buy a Northwest Forest Pass

Getting there

The hike starts at Surprise Creek Trailhead. Save directions offline before you leave, since mountain roads often lose cell service.

Conditions

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Full forecast at weather.gov