Category Archives: Trails

A Dry Start to the New Year

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I got out for my first mountain bike rides of the year last week. Typical January weather…sunny and in the 50s! Shorts and a short sleeve jersey were all you needed on some days. With the exception of a little ice in the shadiest areas, conditions on the ground feel more like late summer or early fall.

C Hill Trail
A less than snowy Sierra Nevada

Just how dry is it out there? It’s been reported that December was the driest on record for this area in 130 years, with no rain or snow recorded. We’re continuing the streak into January, with no precipitation on the horizon at least through the middle of the month. Fire danger warnings have been issued, and many wild fires continue to pop up throughout the area.

snow pack
Snowpack compared to last year

Flume Trail Bikes up at Spooner Lake reports that the high country is even still open for riding. People are actually riding the Flume Trail! According to their Facebook page:

If you ride in the high country assume that there will be water/ice around every corner. Have fun but be careful. There have been a few rescues from the Marlette Lake area in the last couple of weeks. It is a bit snowy and icy around Marlette Lake.

C Hill Trail
Looking towards Kings Canyon in the distance

Longview Trail
This north facing canyon is usually buried in snow

I also heard from a running friend that her group was able to do the Lakeview-Hobart Reservoir-Ash Canyon Loop without much trouble at all. Just a little snow and ice here and there in the shade.

Longview Trail
Tom Price on the high plateau

Here are a few more photos from the area…

Canyon Behind C Hill
Canyon behind C Hill, looking towards Prison Hill

Amber Waves of Grain
Dry golden grass in Ash Canyon

Creek Trail
No snow along the creek either

There is no snow to be seen on Slide Mountain or Mount Rose either. For a 10,776 ft mountain to be snowless in January is just crazy. Strangely enough, the water level in Washoe Lake looks decent without much beach exposed.

Deadman's Creek
Even the high peaks above Washoe Lake are snow free

For the next several days, we don’t have much choice but to enjoy this nice weather. I think everyone feels a bit nervous though. Low snowpack can mean bad wildfires later in the year, making it too smokey to healthily enjoy outdoor activities. Drought in the mountains has also driven the bears into town in years past. There seemed to be bears everywhere back in 2007! Who knows what the months ahead will bring though. We sure got a big surprise last February.

For now, get out there and ride!

Winter Wonder(ing where it went) Land

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Hey, Winter!  Where did you go?  Not only has there been no precipitation in Carson City the whole month of December, it’s actually warming up too. It almost feels October-ish out there by mid-day with the temperatures hitting the low 50s, and it looks like just more of the same in the long range forecast.

Ash Canyon
Winter Wonder(ing where it went) Land

It’s definitely strange weather for December. I got out for a ride on Monday, and the trails are sandy, the switchbacks are silty, and the edges are soft. Watching the dust clouds rise off the back wheels this time of year just doesn’t seem right.  My prowess on the singletrack is definitely diminished with fewer hours on the bike, and this is at a time when I’m counting on extra traction to make up for my lack of skills! A few more rest breaks were also required to make it to the top.  But in spite of the lack of fitness and dexterity, a good time was definitely had.  It lifts the spirits to get some sunshine and get active.

Log Skinny
Nathan Harrison on the Log Skinny

It looks like Carson City bicycle commuters will get off easy the remainder of December too. With only the cold to deal with, what is typically one of the hardest months for bicycle commuting has been a snap. Where is the snow and ice? Where are the blizzards? Maybe next month…

Riding to the C

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We rode the new C Hill Trail today at lunch, but this time decided to go all the way to the “C” and big American Flag that overlooks Carson City.  

C Hill Trail
Top of new trail where it meets the road

The new trail doesn’t go all the way up yet, but it does end near the old access road. From there, it’s just a short steep climb up to the next saddle where you can access the trail that leads to the Flag and C.

C Hill Trail
At the flag above the C

The trail up to the C is a steep climb, but pretty smooth. I had to walk up some of it on my single speed, but the guys with granny gears went right up it. It was quite a thrill to get out on the face of the mountain. The face drops off dramatically, giving you a really high up feeling.

C Hill Trail
Looking east

It’s still an out and back from here, but at the saddle below the C and flag, the trail is at a good elevation to easily connect it around the south side of the mountain to the Longview Trail. I wouldn’t be surprised to see this happen soon!

C Hill Trail
View to the North

Warning!

As I was typing up this post, I read that a mountain lion was seen in this area recently, and even appeared to be stalking a jogger. This is after one was killed over the weekend in Lakeview! Be careful out there!

Upcoming Trail Work Days

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Here is some information on upcoming trail work days in our area sent to me by The Tahoe Area Mountain Biking Association:

Saturday, November 12 - TAMBA Trail day with Carson Valley Trails Association.

We started the season here with the IMBA Trail Care Crew visit in April. CVTA has been busy all summer working on the Sierra Canyon Trail with trail machines putting in around 13 miles of new trail. Now they are trying to finish the last half mile section by hand. Let’s head down there and help them out!! Meet at the end of Carson Street (2 blocks south of the 4-way intersection) in Genoa at 9am. Bring your own lunch, we’ll be eating on the trail, about a 15 minute hike in. For those that stay till the end, TAMBA will buy the first round at the oldest bar in Nevada, walking distance from the trailhead! Wearing layers would be good and typical safety items like safety glasses/sunglasses and gloves. We’ll have the hardhats. More info on TAMBA website: http://mountainbiketahoe.org/

Lower Sierra Canyon Work Day
Lower Sierra Canyon Work Day – Photo courtesy of CVTA

This is the plan from CTVA on the rest of the season:

Starting this Saturday November 12, we will have trail building opportunities every day through November 20th from 8 a.m to 3 p.m. each day at the end of Carson Street in Genoa. The project site is a 15 minute walk from the trailhead. There is work in the sun or shade depending how cold it is. Wear layers, some days will be chilly and if you’d rather come a bit later in the morning, go for it.

We have built about about 1,000 feet of trail over the past 8 work days, some of the most challenging you may ever build, thank you. We have about 2,300 challenging feet left to go to connect and open the final ~8.1 mile Genoa Loop.

Important:

  • Required work wear is long pants, long-sleeved shirts, sunglasses or other eye protection…very important, good hiking shoes and work gloves.
  • Bring lunch and water.
  • Tools and hard hats are provided.
  • Check the CVTA website for cancellations if the weather is questionable.

Bike Path Sabotage

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My friend Christy sent me this photo of a cable strung across one of our city’s multi-use paths. This is the new path between Hells Bells and Lepire that parallels Fairview Drive just north of the 5th Street Roundabout. She says she’s found the gates closed several times, but today was the first cable incident, and said she was very lucky that she didn’t crash. Based on the times of day the gates have been closed, Christy suspects middle school traffic.

Cable across bike path
Cable across path

Christy reported the problem to the city, and she says they were quick to respond. Here’s the latest:

We are taking care of the cabling and the problem with the open gates. The contractor is setting a permanent post to lock the gates in the open position. And we’ll reconfigure the cabling to make sure that situation doesn’t happen again.

I haven’t been on the new path myself, but from the photo, it looks like the fence around the ditch has been damaged, leaving long sections of loose cable. I suspect this may take a little while to get fixed, so keep your eyes open if traveling this path! Stay safe.

South C Hill Trail

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On Nevada Day morning, Keith Conrad took me on a trail I hadn’t done on the south side of C Hill.  There used to be a trail in this area years ago, but it never got fully established, and was quickly overgrown. Before the housing crash, plans to build luxury homes behind C Hill were underway, and bulldozers carved away parts of the trail to prepare for seismic testing. I hadn’t been back to this area for a long time. The trail now is all new, and is still a work in progress. I’m not sure if there is an official name for the trail, but I’ll call it the South C Hill Trail for the purposes of this discussion.

C-Hill Trail
The singletrack begins

We started this trail at the southern terminus of Thompson Street, where you can access the fire break road.  Ride the fire break road south towards the power lines.  Near the power lines on the fire break road on the west side of C-Hill, follow the trail that leaves the road. Keep going straight and south through the intersections until the trail fully becomes singletrack.

C-Hill Trail
Climbing above south Carson City

The trail wraps around around the east side of C Hill, and then begins to ascend the canyon on the hill’s south side.

C-Hill Trail
Ascending the canyon

The trail climbs north up the hill for a ways, and eventually you’ll come to an intersection. Going right continues the climb, while a left will take you back down to the bottom of the canyon.

C-Hill Trail
Intersection

Not long after the intersection, you’ll climb to a dirt road. Ride the dirt road up west a short ways, and you’ll see the single track take off again on your left.

C-Hill Trail
Spectacular Views

This section of trail is the most challenging. There are some fun rock obstacles, a switchback, and a few steep but short climbs.

C-Hill Trail
The trail ends near the C and Flag

The trail finishes with a gentle climb and rejoins the dirt road that climbs C Hill. From here you have the C and the American Flag in view, and there is a great view of Carson City below. Descending the trail is fun, but like most new trails, it’s still a bit bumpy and narrow. It will definitely get faster in time.

C-Hill Trail
Carson City overlook

It’s obvious this is not going to be the end of this trail, and I imagine it’ll eventually keep climbing up the mountain. For now though, it’s quite rideable and a lot of fun. The grade is good too, and was comfortable on my single speed in almost all areas.


A video of the nice views!

Go check it out!

CVTA needs your help to finish trails

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From Carson Valley Trails Association (http://www.carsonvalleytrails.org/)

This is an urgent call for help building trail up Sierra and Genoa Canyons (up to the Tahoe Rim Trail) to all mountain bikers.

Background: The CVTA is dedicated to providing access and developing trail in the Carson Valley for all users (hikers, bikers, and equestrians). Under a matching state grant program, the CVTA was able to build a significant new trail network from Eagle Ridge (N of Genoa) to Genoa Canyon and up Sierra Canyon to the TRT (near Genoa Peak) this summer. The mountain bike possibilities on this trail are tremendous including loops and downhill runs starting from the TRT between Daggett and Spooner Summits.

Construction on the Genoa Foothill Trail System

What is needed: CVTA is in desperate need of volunteers to help build trail (at this point mostly trail cleanup). Hours are needed to comply with the matching portion of the state grant. The deadline to provide matching volunteer hours is the end of calendar year 2011. If bikers are going to be users of this trail it is only fair that they pitch in to help build and maintain the trail.

What you can do: Trail building dates are posted on the CVTA web site: http://www.carsonvalleytrails.org/Programs-Calendar.html

All tools are provided and NO experience is necessary. We need all cycling groups to post this message to their members. Help is needed urgently as future trail development is contingent of the success of this major initiative.

Please pick a date and show up. If you enjoy the trails you should realize that they are only exist because of the hard work of many volunteers. Won’t you be one of them?

CVTA invites you to “Build for Bill”

Saturday, October 22, 2011
8am to 3pm
Genoa Canyon (located at the end of Carson St in Genoa)

Come to Genoa Canyon and “Build for Bill” on Saturday, October 22. Every hour of trail building that you donate will be an hour of support for Bill Hay, CVTA president, who was recently diagnosed with stage 4 esophageal cancer, which prevents him from doing the trailbuilding he loves. For more information on how you can help, see the “Build for Bill” flyer (.pdf).