Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest

Santa Rosa Ranger District

Terrie Jarell, Acting District Ranger
1200 East Winnemucca Blvd.
Winnemucca, NV 89445
(775) 623-5025 ex. 5

The Santa Rosa Ranger District makes up 280,000 acres of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, 40 miles north of Winnemucca, Nevada. It can be reached by traveling north on Hwy 95 to State Route 290 (Paradise Valley) and Forest Road 792. This forest road is very scenic with Paradise Valley on one side and hwy 95 on the other.

Terrain

The Santa Rosa District landscape is comprised of mountains and plateaus, with elevations ranging from 5,000 feet to 9,700 feet in the Santa Rosa Range.

Climate

Snow is likely in the winter months with temperatures averaging from the low 40s for the highs to the teens for the lows. Temperatures start to warm in the spring, rising from the mid-50s in March to the high 70s by May in the daytime hours and staying in the 40s at night. Summer brings pleasant temperatures with highs in the 90s and lows in the 50s. The fall is bright with the colors of Aspen and temperatures remain pleasant dropping into the 60s for the highs and 40s for the lows.

Points of Interest

• Hinkey Summit Rock Formation
• Hinkey Summit Wildflowers
• Chocolate Mountain
• Lye Creek Campground
• Paradise Valley Guard Station
• Windy Gap
• Sawtooth Mountain
• Quinn River
• Falls Canyon
• Horse Canyon
• Summit Ridge Trail
• Rebel Creek
• Santa Rosa Wilderness
• Granite Peak
• Santa Rosa Peak
• Devils Gate

Flora and Fauna

Large aspen stands, Mountain Mahogany, sagebrush, mountain brush, forbs and native grasses enhance the Santa Rosa District’s landscape.

Antelope, Mule Deer, California Big Horned Sheep, Sagegrouse, Chukar, Quail, Hungarian Partridge, and Mountain Lions can often be seen in their native habitat on the Santa Rosa District.

Recreation Types

• Camping
• Hunting
• Limited Fishing
• Birding
• Hiking
• Wilderness
• Horseback Trails

Scenic Drive

Hinkey Summit, Forest Road 792, out of Paradise Valley provides a scenic drive through the center of the district. In the spring, beautiful wildflowers can be seen along the drive. In the fall, you can see the leaves on the large-stands of aspens turning to a bright-yellow or dark-red. There are great views at the top of Hinkey Summit and at the end of the loop at Windy Gap.

USDA Forest Service - Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest
Last Modified: Wednesday, 07 January 2009 at 17:20:37 EST