Tag: hiking

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3 Trails I Love to Hike in Reno

If you haven’t done much hiking, trail running, or mountain biking, it may be overwhelming to choose a spot to go. I get asked almost weekly for trail recommendations- these are 3 trails in the Reno area that I direct people to. All of these trails can be accessed and downloaded on the AllTrails app.

I believe in protecting the “under the radar” areas I frequent, since very few places are actually still in that category. These trails are all well-used, so I don’t feel like I’m sharing any secrets here.

You’ll notice these are all loop trails. Personally, I love a loop. I also enjoy changing up the direction (clockwise versus counter-clockwise), because if you never look behind you on a trail, you’re only really seeing 50% of the view!

If you’re new to getting outside, or are just looking for some tips before you go, you can find info here.

Best Multi-Use, Year-Round Trail: Keystone Canyon Loop

© AllTrails

Description- 4.8 miles, +/- 600′ elevation gain

You know that giant mountain with very few trees that has repeater and cell towers on top of it on the north side of town? If cardinal directions aren’t your jam, the base of Peavine has an “N” on it for the University of Nevada, Reno.

Peavine has no shortage of trails. It is covered from top to bottom with single track, off-road vehicle trails, and even has a road (unpaved) that goes to the top for the utility folks working on the towers. This trail is just one of the countless options on Peavine.

The Keystone Canyon Trail is one of my favorite loops. It’s close to town, easy to access, and stays in great shape year-round (minus post-heavy precipitation). It climbs up towards Hoge Road, a popular mountain bike parking spot, and then descends either back through Keystone Canyon or mid-slope on single track, depending what direction you choose. I prefer clockwise, because I enjoy descending Keystone Canyon proper.

Sunrise hike on the Keystone Canyon Loop.

Uses

  • hiking
  • trail running
  • mountain biking

Best Time to Go

This trail is exposed, so it’s perfect in the fall/winter/spring months when the outdoor temperature is cooler. Wildflowers are common every spring and can be a sight to behold. Note: please leave them for the next person to enjoy!

It is also pleasant in the summer if you can go early, before the heat of the day. Water runs seasonally through Keystone Canyon, but don’t rely on it. If you’re hiking with a dog, this is a good area to pack extra water for them.

Getting There

From I-80 Westbound, take the Virginia Street exit. Turn right on Virginia Street (towards the University). Continue 1.2 miles. Turn left onto North McCarran Blvd. In 1.2 miles, turn right onto Leadership Parkway. Turn right into Keystone Canyon East access, or continue for about .5 miles more to park in Keystone Canyon West access.

Heavy construction is occurring near the Keystone Canyon East access parking area in Spring 2020. The parking lot is still open, but heads-up for heavy machinery.

Photo 1 is the view of the valley from “the bench”. Photo 2 is in Keystone Canyon.

Best “Kick Your Butt” Trail: Hidden Valley Backcountry Loop

© AllTrails

Description- 3.5 miles, +/- 1020′ elevation gain

Hidden Valley is a community on the east side of the Truckee Meadows at the base of the slope. It is directly east of the SouthEast Connector. Similar to Peavine, this area, accessed via Hidden Valley Regional Park, is full of multiple trail options. I enjoy this particular loop because it’s a lot of elevation gain quickly, meaning you can get a good sweat in a relatively short time frame.

I prefer to walk this loop counter-clockwise; this makes the steepest part the ascent and the descent more gradual. Your climb is worth it, as you get a killer view of the Reno/Sparks area from the top. The trail itself doesn’t top out at the ridge, but you can walk just a bit further to the top to get a full 360°view.

Views from the Hidden Valley Backcountry Loop Trail.

Uses

  • hiking
  • trail running
  • mountain biking

Best Time to Go

This trail is also exposed, so it’s nice in the fall/winter/spring months when the outdoor temperature is cooler. Wildflowers are common every spring and can be a sight to behold. Note: please leave them for the next person to enjoy!

There is NO water along this trail. Plan accordingly! Hidden Valley Regional Park has drinking fountains, but don’t rely on these as sometimes they are not working.

Getting There

From I-80 Eastbound, take the Sparks Blvd. exit and turn right onto Sparks Blvd. In 2.5 miles, turn left onto Pembroke Drive. In .8 miles turn right onto Parkway Drive. Go about .5 mile and enter the park. Take your first left and continue up towards the foothills. The road will veer right; continue on. A large parking lot will be on your right (directly above the horse arena). Park there.

Best Trail for After the Snow Melts: Dry Pond Loop

© AllTrails

Description- 6.5 miles, +/- 1175′ elevation gain

If you enjoy trees and creeks, this is a beautiful option. The Dry Pond Loop is part of a trail system on the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest in South Reno just off Mount Rose Highway. The trail ascends a creek drainage, crests a saddle where the dry pond lies, and then descends into another creek drainage.

If it’s early in the day, I prefer to hike this one clockwise (ascending White’s Creek and descending Thomas Creek). There is an exposed southern aspect as you climb out of White’s Creek that can get very warm later in the day and in the summer. Both Whites and Thomas Creek have water in them year-round. In fact, springtime water flow can be very high, so there are bridges to cross in designated areas.

Dry Pond, with Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe in the background.

Uses

  • hiking
  • trail running
  • mountain biking
  • fishing
  • horseback riding
  • snowshoeing

Best Time to Go

This is a late spring, summer, and early fall hike. Once the snow starts to fly, this trail becomes unusable for hiking (but useable for snowshoeing), especially up high.

The Dry Pond Loop is nice early on a warm summer day when some of the more exposed trails are too hot to hike. It is also stunning in the fall, especially the Thomas Creek side, with all the leaves changing colors.

Scenes from the Dry Pond Loop trail.

Getting There

From I-580 South, take the Mount Rose Hwy. exit onto SR-431. Keep right onto Mount Rose Hwy. toward Lake Tahoe. In 4.6 miles, turn right onto Timberline Drive.

From Timberline Drive, you have several options, depending on which direction you’d like to go and where you’d like to park. You can park either at the bottom of the White’s Creek Road (.6 miles down Timberline) or at the bottom of the Thomas Creek Road (1.5 miles down Timberline).

There are private residences along Timberline Road. Be mindful when you’re parking; please don’t block anyone’s driveway or road access.

Before you go, please consider…

  • Mud: If it has rained or snowed recently and trails are muddy, stay off of them. It creates a mess, and often people want to step off the trail. This can easily create undesignated trails and can harm sensitive plant and animal species.
  • Snakes: Yep, they’re out there. Heads up, especially on warmer days.
  • Ticks: Again, yep, they’re out there. Be aware of this if you’re stepping off trail to use the restroom. Thoroughly check yourself and your dogs post-hike.
  • Fellow recreationists: Know who yields to who and be courteous. As a hiker, I step off the trail for bikes, even though they yield to me. It’s just a nice thing to do, and much easier for me than for them!
  • Dogs: Please be considerate of others with your dogs. As a new dog owner, I am learning a whole new trail etiquette. Pick up and carry you dog’s poop out. Also, don’t let them run up to others…not everyone likes this! Some trails (Dry Pond Loop) have strict leash laws. Be aware of these.
  • Secure your vehicle: Don’t leave anything valuable in sight; lock your doors/roll up your windows.
  • Overall awareness: If you want to wear headphones on the trail, no judgement. Just ensure you’re aware of your surroundings. Please adjust your volume so you can hear if someone or something is coming up behind you. Safety first!
  • LEAVE NO TRACE: These trails are all heavily-used, and we want to keep using them for years to come. Please adhere to the LNT Principles at all times.

Happy trails, friends!

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Yesterday

I wrote this almost 1 week ago…and then didn’t have the focus to post it, which speaks directly to the content itself.

Our world, as we know it, is changed. We are changed. From here forward things will look different. We will be different. 

The day before yesterday my family and I had taken most of the day to deep clean our home. We wiped down every surface, disinfected floors, and enacted a “no-shoes in the house rule”. We came up with a family plan, one that included what we were going to do, what we were going to stop doing, and what we were going to limit ourselves to. In this process, I gained a small sense of “control” in the midst of a lot of unknowns, mixed information, fear, and confusion.

Then came yesterday. The day started out nicely, with us “attending” church from our living room. The sermon was applicable, titled “The Beauty of Being Stuck”. It called us to find ways to collaborate with others even in the midst of distancing ourselves from them physically. Sweet. I liked it. 

The afternoon found me confused, frustrated, and anxious. I was pacing around the house trying to FINISH something, but the problem was, I couldn’t concentrate. I couldn’t focus on ANYthing, except regularly unlocking my phone and reading the latest news. (#unhelpful)

I put on a crap tv show to distract myself, which usually works. I can’t even tell you what it was or what it was about. I couldn’t pay attention.

I stress ate. I don’t even like cereal and I had 2 bowls of it, along with other miscellaneous food items. This left me feeling sick, as stress eating often does.

I sat down to do my favorite thing when I can’t focus…write. But the words wouldn’t come. I had no words. 

So…I jumped in my car and drove to a trailhead. Nevermind that a storm was raging in the Sierra. Nevermind that the trail was wet and muddy. Nevermind that it was freezing cold. I bundled up and took off.

I needed to walk. 

So I did. I put one foot in front of the other. I started out listening to a podcast. Even though the words were interesting, my mind wasn’t processing them; I might as well have been listening to white noise. I switched it to a playlist on my Spotify profile titled “trust”, full of songs with words that I believe are true and that lift my spirits. 

It worked.

Without even prompting myself to do so I mentally began listing all the things I am grateful for right now. I did this for almost the whole 5 miles. I came back to my car in a different state than I was when I left it. I let go. I prayed. I told God the truths that I believe about Him. I thanked Him for loving me. I saw the beauty in the storm, and in being in the storm, but still standing. An unexplainable peace settled in my heart.

Finding peace through moving meditation and mud.

I do not know what the future here on earth holds. None of us do. What I do know is that yesterday, I was struggling. I was feeling the weight of what is happening right now. I felt fear trying to creep in. I was lost without the things I usually rely on to bring me peace. My walk redirected my busy mind to the one thing that brings me true peace, no matter what the circumstances are, which is my faith.

I share all of this to encourage you. Can you relate with the state of mind I described? I know I am not alone in this.

You are not alone right now, either. We are all processing and dealing with this in different ways, but we actually are all in this together, social distancing aside.

When you get stuck, do something that brings you peace. Look for the things you still can do rather focusing on what you can’t. Reach out to a friend or family member. Tell them you’re struggling. Distancing yourself from others physically doesn’t mean you have to emotionally. In fact, it’s even MORE important to stay connected with your support system right now.

Finding ways you can contribute is helpful. I find that when I take the focus off myself, my feelings, my worries, and place that focus on how I can help others, I end up helping myself and my mindset in the process. Even though most of us aren’t in contact with those beyond our immediate household, we can still help others out.

What are your strengths? What are you passionate about? What or who are you thankful for? Write your ideas down and figure out how to creatively execute them. Maybe it’s supporting your local small businesses that are struggling to stay open during this time. Perhaps you’re an encourager and a people-person, so you do something to lift others spirits right now.

Personally, along with being outdoors, I’m passionate about true connection, so this whole “not being around people” is tough. However, there are still ways I can reach out to my friends and family right now and tell them I love them. Check in on them. Be present and available.

Remember to have patience and grace with yourselves and those around you. We’re all trying to figure out how to best navigate our way through these uncharted waters right now. Perhaps your greatest contribution right now is remaining calm and steady during this chaotic and rapidly-changing time. We can always use more of that!

The trail ahead is unknown, but it doesn’t mean we have to live in a constant state of fear.

There is no better time to put aside our differences, recognize what connects us, and meet each other there. I am encouraged when I see the ways our community has come together to support and lift each other up. I am proud when I read the good news stories, or see how appreciative we have become for some of the occupations we once took for granted.

Let’s keep it up, friends! We are all stronger together, collectively, than independently. Reach out, find/do/surrender to what brings you peace, and KNOW that you are not doing this by yourself.