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Timber Mountain Pass Road - Westbound
Backroads Around Las Vegas, Basin and Range National Monument
Timber Pass Road
Timber Mountain Pass Road
Highway 318, approaching Timber Mountain Pass Road (view N)

Overview

Timber Mountain Pass Road is a well-maintained dirt road that normally is suitable for 2WD vehicles. The road starts along Highway 318 north of Hiko and runs southwest over Timber Pass, down across Coal Valley, and ends at an intersection with Seaman Wash Road at a gap in the Golden Gate Range called Water Gap.

Timber Mountain Pass Road provides access to Heizer's City, the community of Cherry Creek in the Quinn Canyon Range, and it provides sightseers spectacular scenery, ranchers access to their herds, and residents a way home.

For eastbound photos, see Timber Mountain Pass Road - Eastbound.

Link to Area Map or Road Map.

Timber Mountain Pass Road
Highway 318 at Timber Mountain Pass Road (view W)

Watch Out

Other than the standard warnings about driving in the desert, ...this road is pretty safe, but be sure that your vehicle is in good working condition, carry plenty of water (radiator and drinking), and pack a lunch. Always drive carefully; even though the road is well maintained, there are occasional hazards such as errant boulders in the roadway.

While out, please respect the land and the other people out there, and try to Leave No Trace of your passage. This road goes into remote areas, so be sure to bring the 10 Essentials. Cell phones don't work.

Timber Mountain Pass Road
Timber Mountain Pass: Road Number 84 (view W)

Getting to the Road

Timber Mountain Pass Road is located in the east-central part of Basin and Range National Monument, about 2-1/4 hours (156 miles) northeast of Las Vegas driving directly, or about 50 minutes (49 miles) north of the intersection of Highway 93 and Highway 318.

From Las Vegas, drive north on Interstate-15 21 miles to Highway 93. Turn left onto Great Basin Highway (Hwy 93) and top off the gas tank if necessary. Drive north past the towns of Alamo (95 miles from Las Vegas) and Ash Springs (102 miles) to the intersection of Highway 93 and Highway 318 (107 miles). Gasoline is available in Alamo, Ash Springs, Rachael, and Lund.

Turn left onto Highway 318 and drive west then north on Highway 318 for 49 miles to Timber Mountain Pass Road on the left (shortly beyond Mile Post 49). The 4-way intersection is marked only by a directional sign facing away from the highway. Nye County also marks roads with a spray-painted number on the pavement: look for #84.

Timber Pass Road
Timber Mountain Pass Road (view SW from Highway 318)

The Road

From the pavement (Table 1, Site 1588), the one-lane Timber Mountain Pass Road turns southwest, crosses a cattle guard, and descends through a canyon (use caution on the blind curves) into a desert valley covered with low shrubs. The Black Cliffs of Timber Mountain tower ahead on the left.

In about 3 miles, the road crosses another cattle guard and continues straight across the valley. This is the White River, which flowed more regularly during the Ice Age, but ranchers drill wells here to water their cattle. The stock pond on the left occasionally holds water for cows, but it also provides water for birds and other creatures, so keep an eye out when passing through. The funny round thing with the solar panels is the water pump.

Timber Mountain Pass Road
No stop signs, but this sign faces away from Hwy 318 (view NE)

Past the pump, the road bends hard to the right and climbs rather steeply. Use caution on the blind curve to the left at the top. If coming back this way, remember the spot carefully. Beyond that spot, the road climbs gently below the Black Cliffs.

At about 7.1 miles out, Timber Mountain Pass Road leaves open BLM land and unceremoniously enters Basin and Range National Monument.

The road continues climbing and winding gently upward, and at about at 8.9 miles out, arrives atop Timber Mountain Pass The pass and the view westward is a bit of a letdown, but shortly (9.1 miles out; Site 1934), the road passes the historical wooden sheep corrals on the right (useful campsite). From the corrals, drivers get a glimpse down the canyon of the wondrous scenery to come.

Timber Mountain Pass Road
Mileage and direction (view NE towards Hwy 318)

The road winds down the canyon, still with gentle grades and gentle curves, and at about 11.5 miles out passes a sign announcing Coal Valley. By this time, the views across Coal Valley and across the Golden Gate Range are grand, but just ahead (11.6 miles), the road dips over a low slope, and from that point, the view truly is spectacular.

Timber Mountain Pass Road continues into the bottom of Coal Valley, crossing cattle guards and passing various road intersections (Site 1935; not a single sign), but always stays straight.

The bottom of Coal Valley is a nice place to stop, get out of the car, stretch the legs, and soak in the full glory of a wide-open basin and range. A few cows or pronghorn might join the scene, but it is very unlikely that another vehicle will pass by.

Timber Pass Road
Timber Pass Road is paved a few yards to a cattle guard (view SW)

Continuing southwest, the road runs into the Water Gap, a gap in the Golden Gate Range where water flows from Garden Valley (to the west) down into Coal Valley. At about 22.4 miles out, the road crosses a cattle guard with a sign announcing Water Gap.

In another 0.4 miles, at 22.8 miles out, Timber Mountain Pass Road ends at a 3-way intersection (Site 1560) with Seaman Wash Road (to the left). Cherry Creek Road continues straight.

Visitors to Michael Heizer's City would continue west on Cherry Creek Road for 2.2 miles to Heizer Ranch Road, on the left.

Timber Pass Road
One-lane, graded dirt road (view SW)
Timber Pass Road
The Black Cliffs of Timber Mountain are a good landmark (view SW)
Timber Pass Road
Watch for blind curves descending the canyon (view SW)
Timber Pass Road
Descending the canyon (view SW)
Timber Pass Road
Descending the canyon (view SW)
Timber Pass Road
The canyon begins to open up (view SW)
Timber Pass Road
The road enters the first part of the valley (view SW)
Timber Pass Road
Crossing the first part of the valley (view SW)
Timber Pass Road
The road continues towards the Black Cliffs (view SW)
Timber Pass Road
The road approaches another blind curve (view SW)
Timber Pass Road
Rounding the curve -- all clear ahead (view SW)
Timber Pass Road
A side road forks right to a well (view SW)
Timber Pass Road
Approaching the second cattle guard (view SW)
Timber Pass Road
Crossing White River Valley (view SW)
Timber Pass Road
Stock pond on the left: watch for pronghorn (view SW)
Timber Pass Road
Approaching the well and pump (view SW)
Timber Pass Road
The electric pump is operated using a solar panel (view SW)
Timber Pass Road
The road begins climbing out of White River Valley bottom (view SW)
Timber Pass Road
The road curves right to climb more steeply (view SW)
Timber Pass Road
Climbing steeply (view W)
Timber Pass Road
Use caution approaching the blind curve left (view SW)
Timber Pass Road
Above the steep hill, road is open and easy (view SW)
Timber Pass Road Timber Pass Road
Timber Pass Road Timber Pass Road
Timber Pass Road
Timber Mtn Pass Rd traversing open BLM lands (view SW)
Timber Pass Road
Timber Mtn Pass Rd traversing open BLM lands (view SW)
Timber Pass Road
Approaching the boundary of Basin and Range Nat. Mon. (view SW)
Timber Pass Road
Timber Mtn Pass Rd unceremoniously entering B&R Nat Mon (view SW)
Timber Pass Road
Inside B&R Nat Mon: Black Cliffs of Timber Mountain (view S)
Timber Pass Road
The road continues gently climbing (view W)
Timber Pass Road
Approaching a winding portion of the road (view SW)
Timber Pass Road
Entering the winding portion (view SW)
Timber Pass Road
Coming down this section, it is easy to lose traction (view SW)
Timber Pass Road
The more gentle road resumes (view SW)
Timber Pass Road
Climbing gently towards of a pass (view SW)
Timber Pass Road
Climbing gently towards of a pass (view SW)
Timber Pass Road
Approaching Timber Mountain Pass (view W)
Timber Pass Road
Arriving atop Timber Mountain Pass (view W)
Timber Pass Road
Beginning to descend over Timber Pass (view W)
Timber Pass Road
Descending towards Coal Valley (view W)
Timber Pass Road
Approaching the historical sheep corral (view W)
Timber Pass Road
Arriving at the historical corral (view W)
Timber Mountain Pass Road
The historical sheep corral (view N)
Timber Pass Road
Passing the corral and arriving at the information kiosk (view W)
Timber Mountain Pass Road
Information kiosk near the corral (view N)
Timber Pass Road
Continuing past the kiosk (view W)
Timber Pass Road
Views down the canyon begin to get better (view W)
Timber Pass Road
The road runs parallel to a wash on the left (view W)
Timber Pass Road
Crossing the wash; this can be washed out (view W)
Timber Pass Road
Back on easy road (view W)
Timber Pass Road Timber Pass Road
Timber Pass Road Timber Pass Road
Timber Pass Road
Approaching a major wash crossing (view W)
Timber Pass Road
The road runs down the wash and can be washed out (view W)
Timber Pass Road
Continuing down the wash (can be washed out; view W)
Timber Pass Road
Beyond the sandy wash, the road runs firm again (view W)
Timber Pass Road
Continuing the gentle descent into Coal Valley (view W)
Timber Pass Road
The road crosses a few minor washes (view W)
Timber Pass Road
Approaching the Coal Valley sign (view W)
Timber Pass Road
Coal Valley sign (view W)
Timber Mountain Pass Road
Water Gap on the far side of Coal Valley (view SW)
Timber Pass Road
The views are becoming grand again
Timber Mountain Pass Road
Grand scenery (view W)
Timber Pass Road
The road continues to run straight and smooth (view W)
Timber Pass Road
The road continues to run straight and smooth (view W)
Timber Pass Road
Approaching what looks like a water ditch (view W)
Timber Pass Road
Nope, that is a side road (view SW)
Timber Pass Road
Side road runs along west side of the Seaman Range (view S)
Timber Pass Road
Continuing the gentle descent into Coal Valley (view W)
Timber Pass Road
Approaching a range fence on the left (view W)
Timber Pass Road Timber Pass Road
Timber Pass Road Timber Pass Road
Timber Pass Road
Approaching Highline Road (view W)
Timber Pass Road
Highline Road (view N from Timber Pass Road)
Timber Pass Road
Highline Road (view S from Timber Pass Road)
Timber Pass Road
Past Highline Road, it feels like the bottom of Coal Valley (view W)
Timber Pass Road
Beginning across the bottom of Coal Valley (view W)
Timber Pass Road
Approaching another crossroad (view W)
Timber Pass Road
Approaching east side of triangular intersection (view W)
Timber Pass Road
Side road triangle forks left (view SW)
Timber Pass Road
Timber Mtn Pass Road crosses the side road (view W)
Timber Pass Road
East edge of Coal Playa (view S from Timber Pass Road)
Timber Pass Road
East edge of Coal Playa (view N from Timber Pass Road)
Timber Pass Road
The side road marks the edge of the playa bottom (view W)
Timber Pass Road
Notice the silty playa bottom (view W)
Timber Pass Road
Silty playa bottom stretches for miles (view W)
Timber Mountain Pass Road
Grand views from the bottom of Coal Valley
Timber Mountain Pass Road
Grand views from the bottom of Coal Valley
Timber Mountain Pass Road
Grand views from the bottom of Coal Valley
Timber Mountain Pass Road
Grand views from the bottom of Coal Valley
Timber Mountain Pass Road
Grand views from the bottom of Coal Valley
Timber Mountain Pass Road
Range fence in the bottom of Coal Valley
Timber Mountain Pass Road
Grand views from the bottom of Coal Valley
Timber Mountain Pass Road
Grand scenery (view SW towards Golden Gate Range)
Timber Pass Road
The road continues straight and smooth across Coal Valley (view W)
Timber Pass Road
Water gap still seems a long way off (view W)
Timber Pass Road Timber Pass Road
Timber Pass Road
Approaching a fence and cattle guard (view W)
Timber Pass Road
The road crosses the cattle guard (view W)
Timber Pass Road Timber Pass Road
Timber Pass Road
Approaching the Gates of Water Gap (view SW)
Timber Pass Road
Approaching the Gates of Water Gap (view SW)
Timber Pass Road
Getting closer to the north edge of Water Gap (view W)
Timber Pass Road
Approaching Coal Valley North Road (view W)
Timber Pass Road
Crossing E side of triangular intersection at Coal Valley North Rd
Timber Pass Road
Cross-over road (view SE from Timber Pass Road)
Timber Pass Road
Coal Valley North Road (view N from Timber Pass Road)
Timber Pass Road
Approaching W side of triangular intersection at Coal Valley N. Rd
Timber Pass Road
Entering Water Gap (view W)
Timber Pass Road
Traversing Water Gap (view W)
Timber Pass Road
Traversing Water Gap (view W)
Timber Pass Road
Approaching Water Gap fenceline (view W)
Timber Pass Road
Cattle guard at Water Gap fenceline (view W)
Timber Pass Road
Water Gap sign (view W)
Timber Pass Road
Water Gap sign (view W)
Timber Pass Road
Water Gap sign (view W)
Timber Pass Road
Continuing past the cattle guard (view W)
Timber Pass Road
Approaching directional sign at road intersection (view W)
Timber Pass Road
Approaching directional sign at 3-way road intersection (view W)
Timber Pass Road
Directional sign at 3-way road intersection (view W)
Timber Pass Road
Directional sign at 3-way road intersection (view W)
Timber Pass Road
Directional sign at 3-way road intersection (view W)
Timber Pass Road
East side of the triangular intersection (view W)
Timber Pass Road
Continuing on Timber Mountain Road (view W)
Timber Pass Road
Approaching west side of the triangular intersection (view W)
Timber Pass Road
Timber Mtn Pass Rd ends at this point of the intersection (view W)

Table 1. Highway Coordinates and Distances based on GPS Data (NAD27). Download highway GPS waypoints (gpx) file.

Wpt. Location Latitude (N) Longitude (W) Elevation (ft) Point-to-Point Distance (mi) Cumulative Distance (mi)
1588 Hwy 318 at Timber Pass Rd 675302 4224661 1,641 0.00 00.00
1934 Timber Pass Road at Timber Pass Corral 663959 4216637 1,851 9.10 09.10
1588 Hwy 318 at Timber Pass Rd 675302 4224661 1,641 6.20 15.30
1611 Timber Pass Rd at Coal Valley N Rd 643903 4211981 1,540 6.70 22.00
1560 Seaman Rd at Cherry Creek Rd 642553 4211545 1,545 0.90 22.90

Happy Hiking! All distances, elevations, and other facts are approximate.
copyright; Last updated 240324

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