Outdoors

A massive early March storm has all but restored the snowpack across Nevada to median levels after what started as an abysmally low snow year in many locations.

Clean Up The Lake, the environmental non-profit responsible for the 72-mile cleanup of Lake Tahoe, has recently completed a two-year monitoring effort on the lake. CUTL conservation dive teams revisited 20 litter hot spots in the 0 to 25-foot depths along the Nevada shoreline that were identified during the 72-mile cleanup of Lake Tahoe in 2021.

On Sunday, March 17, 2024, Capitol City Gun Club in Carson City will host two events in one: our St. Patrick’s Corned Beef Fun Shoot and a Grand Opening of our new 5-Stand Pavilion.

The current big storm that arrived at Lake Tahoe, Sierra and Carson City area brought many feathered visitors to our backyard to scrabble for sustenance under the snow.

The strong winter storm that pounded the Sierra with several feet of snow and brought 15 to 20 inches to Carson City and lower valleys, has begun to exit the region Sunday.

Chains are required across mountain passes, while local snow removal efforts are underway across Washoe County, Carson City as well as Lyon, Douglas and Storey counties.

As I write this on Leap Day, I am waiting for the big blizzard to arrive. The National Weather Service is warning to expect six to 10 feet of snow above 7000 feet and one to two feet here on the west side of Washoe Valley. They are calling for winds of 30 to 40 mph with gusts over 75 to 80 mph here in the valley and 115 mph over the Sierra ridges.

Hello fellow anglers. Time to buckle down and ride out the storm. They say that the month of March comes in like a lion and out like a lamb. This weekend is a good start to keeping our lakes and streams full.

Every month, the Carson City Park Rangers offer various Ranger-Led programs that include educational opportunities, historical fun, events, and exciting adventures. All programs are offered for free and take place in one of the many Carson City parks and open space areas.

The Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team members, Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District, and the Nevada Division of Forestry will conduct prescribed fire operations this week at Lake Tahoe, conditions and weather permitting.

My friend Meri recently sent me a copy of the California Native Plant Society, Tahoe and Sierra Valley Chapter, February and March 2024 newsletter. In it was an informative article by Gale Rankin called "The Green Leaves of Winter - Masters of Survival."

A month away from the first day of spring, March 19, this is the time of year where I look forward to the trees budding out with light green growth, daffodils and other bulbs blooming and fruit trees bursting with flowers. Lawns will be greening up and winter will be behind us.

Carson Fly Fishing Club's first general meeting for 2024 is this Tuesday, Feb. 20 at 7 p.m. Carson City Sheriff's Office, 911 East Musser Street in the Ormsby Room. Our guest speaker is Kris Urquhart, biologist for Nevada Department of Wildlife.

Spectacular color fills the morning sky over Carson City on Tuesday morning.

Although gardeners love plants, few of us love weeds. Although it seems absurd to talk about weeds while there is snow on the ground, the Boy Scouts say, “Be Prepared!” If you want to do less pulling or hoeing of weeds in spring and summer, consider applying a pre-emergent herbicide relatively soon.

Sunset from the Koontz Lane trailhead of Prison Hill in Carson City.

Eagles and Agriculture 2024 is set to captivate nature enthusiasts and heritage aficionados from Thursday through Sunday this week.

These warmer days have me hankering for gardening. Although I received a small hydroponic unit as a Christmas present, I don’t think a 7-inch by 14-inch lighted box is going to satisfy my yearning for spring and being outside with my plants. I decided the least I could do was write about gardening!

On Sunday, February 11, 2024, Capitol City Gun Club in Carson City, NV will host a Valentine’s Fun Shoot from 9:00am to 4:00pm. Target fees will be discounted with a limit of 200 targets per person. The Club is located at 3590 Arrowhead Drive. For more information call (775) 882-9904. Everyone is invited to come!

Brilliant colors wake up Carson City Tuesday morning.

Carson Now reader Laura Wiggins said she saw "these two bald eagles keeping their eyes on us as we teed off at Sunridge Golf Course" south of Carson City in Douglas County. In the second photo, Carson Now reader Stella C captured a single bald eagle at Riverview Park in Carson City.

I take my dog for a walk every morning, right before the sun comes up, and the other day I saw an unusual sight so I went back and got my camera. There was a low-lying fog on the ground all around where I lived. It covered the part of Dayton where the golf course is and the schools. It covered the area where the old section of town is, it was all around me, but it wasn’t where I was standing (near Pioneer Crossing Casino)… and it never did come into my area. I’ve lived here 13 years and I’ve never seen that before.

Carson City nonprofit Muscle Powered, which is dedicated to promoting and creating pedestrian and bicycle-friendly infrastructure by maintaining and developing trails and resources, has been awarded for the second time a national recognition from the Coalition for Recreational Trails.

A bald eagle while taking a walk Friday at Riverview Park in Carson City.

Brilliant color over Carson City with the Friday morning sunrise.

Bees, butterflies and other pollinators are key components of Nevada’s ecosystem, pollinating crops and native plants while serving as food for countless species.

The USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit has announced the return of Ski with a Ranger at Heavenly Mountain Resort. Skiers and snowboarders are invited to Ski with a Ranger beginning Friday, Jan. 26, 2024.

Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team members including North Lake Tahoe, North Tahoe and Tahoe Douglas fire protection districts, California State Parks, Nevada Division of Forestry, and the USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, will continue prescribed fire operations this week at Lake Tahoe, conditions and weather permitting. Smoke may be present throughout the Lake Tahoe Basin and surrounding areas.

A High Wind Warning has been issued for the Greater Reno-Carson-Minden areas from 1 p.m. Saturday through 4 a.m. Sunday.

Expect strong southwesterly winds with gusts 50-65 mph, with wind prone and foothill areas seeing gusts 70+ mph.

Friends of mine (Marcy Rawley and Jim Coyle) own a small ranch down in Yerrington. Marcy's got a great eye for taking photos and took this of the sun going down behind the Pine Nut mountains yesterday, Jan 11 2024.
Note the linear form of the fence, the road and ruts in snow....then there's the last 3/4 of the sun setting over the mountains to the west. Great composition.

Hello fellow anglers. Not really the best weather for fishing right now in the sierras, but I do want to pass along some info for an alternative.

Starting January 18th to the 21st will be the International Sportsmen's Expo in Sacramento California. You can go to the International Sportsmans Expo Sacramento website to get the itinerary for all the days and times for each of the demos and exhibits.