Snodgrass Creek to the Soda Cone is a 13 mile lightly trafficked out and back trail located near Topaz, California that features hot springs and is rated as moderate. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from June until October. Dogs and horses are also able to use this trail.
dog friendly
backpacking
birding
camping
hiking
horseback riding
nature trips
trail running
walking
forest
hot springs
views
wild flowers
wildlife
From Carson City, NV: Drive south on Highway 395 through Minden and Gardenville to just south of Coleville, California (If you get to Walker you have gone too far). Turn west on the Mill Canyon Road (Pack Station Road) and go up the hill staying to the right at the first intersection. It's about 7 miles to Rodriguez Flat.
I chose to do an overnighter parking at Snodgrass trailhead and making my way to soda cone. There was a very deep river/creek crossing 1/4 of the way out. Didn’t get to soda cone as there was another water crossing that just seemed sketchy. I then backtracked and followed the silver creek river crossing all the way to the packsaddle. Another river crossing only thigh deep. The trail around the poison flat was very hard to follow and also marshy. If I hadn’t had the Carson iceberg wilderness map along with my phone, using gaia gps app I might not have been able to find my way. The landscape changes from deep forest to aspen to marshy wetlands and even large rock formations. It’s absolutely stunning. Did not see a single person the entire time.
Mostly down hill on the way in. Would recommend staying the night and exploring the East Fork Carson down past soda cone.