Nevada Rambler

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The Bently-Kirman Tract Trail is a new trail in the flats of Carson Valley. The trail is on a conservation easement on a working private ranch and is sponsored by the Carson Valley Trails Association and the Nature Conservancy.  It would be hot in summer, but a nice walk for locals in late Fall , Winter, or early Spring. Good views of the Carson Range and access  the Carson River.

Directions: From US 395, 5.5 south of US 50 south of Carson City, take Stephanie Way east, turn north on Heybourne Rd, then follow sign left (west) on an unimproved road to the trailhead parking.

GeoLocator for latitude 39.0486603 longitude -119.7654190

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We originally planned to head up to McClelland Peak in the Virginia Range from the southeast side of Washoe  Valley, but ran into a gated private road (not sure about BLM public land access legalities). So we went to the Jumbo Grade trailhead instead, a longer and partly cross-country route. In late April, there was still deep, wet snow in places above 6500 feet. There are multiple antenna installations on the top of McClelland, which overlooks Washoe Valley and Carson City.  We took a different route down, through an aspen grove and passing part of the Virginia City siphon that brings water over from the Lake Tahoe basin.

GeoLocator for latitude 39.2814789 longitude -119.7396774

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This trail on the southeast side of Washoe Valley is a nice short early-spring hike in Washoe Lake State Park. There are several different short loops. A gazebo on a high point overlooks Washoe Lake and Slide Mountain, a great view.

GeoLocator for latitude 39.2383499 longitude -119.7665482

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It’s good to go for a walk in your own backyard once in a while.  This was a nice Sunday afternoon hike in the open space in northwest Reno, part on National Forest Service land on Peavine Peak and returning via Rancho San Rafael Park (Washoe County).

Statistics:
6.27 mi (2.99 mi uphill, 2.18 mi downhill, 1.09 mi flat)
707 ft total ascent – 8.8 % uphill grade, 37.6 % downhill grade
2:25:29 total time (2:24:17 moving, 0:01:12 stopped)
0:23:00 pace (2.6 mph average speed, 4.4 mph max speed)
5.372 difficulty, 11.015 effort

GeoLocator for latitude 39.5477104 longitude -119.8454285

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Spring hike to Pah Rum Peak, in the Fox Range north of Pyramid Lake. The Fox Range is surrounded by deserts on the west (Smoke Creek Desert), north (Black Rock Desert), and east (San Emidio Desert). The forecast was for temperatures in the 60s and moderate wind, so neither of us carried full winter gear…big mistake. At elevation, the temperature was below 50 F and constant gale-force winds made it seem much colder than that. Glad I had my GoLite jacket. The wind also blew up a lot of dust so the views were hazy. But it was nice to explore this remote area.  Wildlife count: one coyotes and a bunch of cattle on the drive. Two antelope (a pair together) and 21 wild horses (in groups of three to six) on the hike.

The drive to the south end of the Fox Range where we parked is on the Pyramid Lake reservation, day-use permit required. The last 20 miles of the drive are on rough gravel and dirt roads; map and GPS helpful for navigation. The Needles area on the north end Pyramid Lake, pictures in the slide show, has been closed to the public for years.

Statistics:
8.45 mi (4.15 mi uphill, 3.63 mi downhill, 0.59 mi flat)
2200 ft total ascent
5:24:46 total time (4:12:13 moving, 1:12:33 stopped)
0:29:49 pace (2.0 mph average speed, 4.4 mph max speed)
33.644 difficulty, 64.664 effort

GeoLocator for latitude 40.3406715 longitude -119.5613403