The Longest
Hiking Trail
(Chapter Two of Three Chapters)
July, 2007
By John Evanoff
Let’s explore hiking trails around Carson
City because I know you’ll enjoy the views, the wildlife and
the ease of access through these colorful canyons with their purple
flower stalks of lupine peeking through the deep reds and greens
of the high country manzanita.
Driving south from Reno to the south end of Carson
City on Highway 395, take a right on Clear Creek Road. If you wish
to hike from Fuji Park, you can park there or if you’re not
inclined to hike the entire route, this trail allows you to take
your car most of the way to within a few hundred yards of Spooner
Summit. Fuji Park was saved by the fine citizens of Carson City
when political leaders almost made the fatal mistake of giving into
selling it to a mega-retail center developer. Amends were made and
the city spent additional funds to restore the park, add shelters
and year around restrooms. Today Fuji Park is a wonderful addition
to the many appealing activities for residents and visitors alike
including an occasional rodeo or horse show and mini-fairs held
throughout the summer and fall. Clear Creek Road heads up the hill
along Clear Creek and winds through several small campgrounds. What
many hikers like to do is negotiate the small hiking trail right
next to the creek, but many bikers like to ride the road all the
way to Spooner Lake and catch the many trails that lead in all directions
from there. Clear Creek is full of rainbow and brook trout too.
The entire road and trail is easily accessible but because of some
steep spots near the summit, it is recommended you take plenty of
water and food to quench thirst and hunger. The Jeffery and Ponderosa
Pine, the Quacking Aspen and Willows and the Nutcrakers and Blue
Jays will keep you company all along the way. Once you’ve
come to the summit, you may want to either cross the road and move
on to Spooner Lake to the West or take the southern or northern
branch of the Tahoe Rim Trail. Either way, you’ll be in for
some of the most awe inspiring trail hiking in the Carson Range.
From Spooner Lake, you can hike or mountain bike ride all the way
along the ridge line to Marlette Lake and up and over to Hobart
Reservoir and then down the Tunnel Creek Road to the Ponderosa Ranch
and Incline. You can also hike or mountain bike in from the Ponderosa
Ranch side at the Tunnel Creek Station and head up to Hobart Lake
and Marlette Lake from there. Once you are their many use the Flume
Trail or North Canyon Trail to travel the mountain ridge. From Hobart
Lake, you can also hike east along the old siphon pipe down the
mountain to the hills above McEwen Creek and the Franktown Road
or to Lakeview and across the highway and up the other side to Virginia
City. This pipeline and the many adjoining it from the entire Marlette-Hobart
Water System is still in use today after being built from 1866 through
to 1910. Many remnants including the Flume Trail now cover a historic
complex of water aqueducts and piping that used the inverted siphon
method of transporting water from one place to another. The water
at the higher elevation of Marlette, Spooner and Hobart was funneled
into a pipe at the top of Lakeview, down through Lakeview, across
Duck Hill and along the northwest side of McClelland Peak to Gold
Hill and Virginia City. Millions of gallons of water fed the needs
of the miners throughout the last 100 years. The double layered
metal pipe that you can follow all along the way will give you a
glance at this imaginative engineering fete. This hike also intersects
with several trails that lead into the northern portion of Carson
City including one that heads down the east side of Indian Mountain
just north of Carson Airport to Carson Hot Springs. At Carson Hot
Springs, enjoy a quick plunge into the mineral waters in the early
morning or late evening. People have been resting their aching bodies
in these clear warm invigorating waters since the mid 1800’s
and probably even earlier by the Washoe Tribe who inhabited the
hills nearby for thousands of years. The geothermal vents in this
area can also be traced up the hill to several large pumice chimneys.
Some of the pumice and rock has been dug out of the side of these
formations for aggregate and asphalt use. Both sides of Indian Hill
afford great views, one of Washoe Lake and the Franktown area and
the other of Eagle Valley and Carson City.
Although this hike is extremely long and can take
a couple days, you may want to break it into several days. The trails
around Hobart Reservoir and Marlette Lake are a great way to learn
about the Tahoe-Carson Forests. Many of the trees in this area were
used for the Comstock Lode as timbering inside the mines and for
trusses for the Virginia and Truckee Railroad. If you were to look
at this same area around 1890, you could spend an afternoon walking
without seeing one tree, just stumps sitting a couple feet out of
the ground. That’s how powerful the timber industry was at
Lake Tahoe and it took heavy replanting and a more than a half century
to bring the region back to where it is now. By 1950, the forest
even though young, began to look alive again. The US Forest Service
and several other agencies have come together to protect this area
for all those who may one day wish to discover it’s tranquility
and beauty. The Tahoe Rim Trail Association is another way for you
to be part of this regeneration of the forest. Many more members
are needed to maintain the trail and you can still be part of bringing
Mother Nature to generations to come.
Fishing at all the lakes is extremely good, but
I find catch and release with barbless fly hooks the best method
to enjoy the high country. Regulations change, so read up before
you plan to fish. You may see a few small bear and coyote and it’s
always best to observe from a distance. If you plan an overnight,
keep your food hung high and away from your tent or sleeping bag.
Summer time is a great time to bag overnight with the stars overhead.
Bring some binoculars so you can view the heavens as well. Mule
Deer and squirrel are extremely abundant and occasionally you’ll
see a skunk or porcupine. This is also a good spot to check out
the bird life including the Mountain Blue Bird, Blue Jay, Clark’s
Nutcracker, Mountain Chickadee, Stellers Jay, Hairy Woodpecker,
Red Tailed Hawk and an occasional Bald Eagle.
The walk up Indian Hill and to the backside of Washoe Lake State
Park is also a great hike. You can park at Washoe Lake State Park
and start your hike from there or hit the trail from the backside
of Indian Hill just east of Lakeview. If you hit the ridge line
of McClelland Peak before noon, you will miss most of the heat of
the day and be able to take in the view of Gold Hill, Silver City
and Virginia City. The ridge line from McClelland Peak moves north
at a steady grinding pace to Buller Peak, Mount Bullion and Mount
Davidson. Along the way, you can look down to American Flat to the
east all the way to Lahontan Reservoir.
If you stop in Carson City at the BLM Office on
Morgan Mill Road, you can ask them for maps of the region or if
you visit any Forest Service Office in the area, they have maps,
camping permits and can answer any questions you might have concerning
regulations. If you hike the entire route as I have done on two
occasions when I was much younger, it will take you four days including,
one day from Fuji park to Spooner Lake and camping there; one day
from Spooner Lake around the west side of Marlette Lake and camping
near Hobart Reservoir; one day hiking the siphon pipe across to
Indian Hill and down to Carson Hot Springs; and one full day hike
up McClelland Peak and on to Mount Davidson with an overnight stay
in Virginia City. So, there are four full hikes and days in one
or four separate hikes enjoyable one by one.
Before you head out to hike or mountain bike, make
sure to wear appropriate attire including good hiking boots. McClelland
Peak is a demanding hike but well worth the effort. Use plenty of
sunscreen and bring at least a half gallon of water for each person
to avoid dehydration. If you stay overnight at Hobart, Marlette
or Spooner, or for that matter anywhere between, bring enough water
to last you a couple days and a small portable water filter just
in case you need more. Wear a hat to keep your head shaded and free
of mosquito bites. There is nothing worse than an itchy head when
you’re trying to sleep at night. Bring some mosquito spray
along too. Most importantly, start your hike early and take your
time. Don’t try to race to get it all in at once. Remember,
it will all be here tomorrow, so enjoy the sights and companionship
of your fellow hiker(s).
Next, month we spend some time east and south of
Carson City where the pinion nut is king, the Paiute Indians still
live and where Nevada State prisoners which they weren’t living.
Historically, this part of the Eagle Valley and Carson City is by
far the oldest and yet the most forgotten.
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