Outdoors with Don Q: Take a leisurely sightseeing tour this Labor Day weekend

If you're looking for plans this Labor Day weekend, why not take a leisurely sightseeing tour of our own western Nevada and Sierra backyard? It’s easy to do, you’ll be on paved highways all the way, and you’ll have plenty of chances for taking photographs, shopping, buying souvenirs, eating and perhaps even a little fishing.

Here is that suggested trip:
Start your trip right here in Carson City by taking a combination of U.S. 395, Nevada S.R. 88 and California S.R. 88, south toward Woodfords, Calif.

Douglas County:
In Douglas County, as you cross over the West Carson River, take a quick look at how it has been decimated by our on-going drought.
On your right, the spectacular mountains (Job’s Peak, Job’s Sister and Freel Peak) on the right are all that separate Carson Valley (4,700’) from the waters of Lake Tahoe (6,200’).
Keep your eyes peeled for hawks sitting on fence posts or power poles and an occasional coyote or mule deer wandering around in the open fields.

Woodfords:
At Woodfords, turn onto the combination of Calif. S.R. 4 and S.R. 89 to take the short, seven mile drive to Markleeville, Alpine County's county seat.
At that intersection, park, walk to the bridge over the West Carson River and take some photos of what remains of a once-beautiful little river.

Indian Creek Reservoir:
If you would like to take a short side trip, about half-way between Woodfords and Markleeville, look for the paved road on your right that goes to the "airport" (AKA a paved landing strip).
Take that airport road and just as you reach the landing strip, turn onto the paved road to your left that takes you downhill to Indian Creek Reservoir. At this time of the year, the reservoir water level is low and weedy.
It offers a BLM campground with hot showers, plus fishing for trout.

Markleeville:
If you don't take that side trip, continue toward Markleeville. Once there, take the time to leisurely wander around this tiny town. Stop in at the Chamber of Commerce building to pick up maps and brochures (if you’re interested in information about the immediate area). When you’re done visiting the town or at the Chamber, your next stop can be Hangman's Bridge, a short distance out of town.

Hangman's Bridge:
The bridge crosses the East Carson River, and in the springtime, it is a highly-popular beginning point for many rafters, who want to travel about 20 miles downstream on the East Carson River to their take-out point at the “Broken Dam,” located a few miles south of Gardnerville, Nev.

If you have a desire to fish, be sure to know the regulations: There are very special restrictions for fishing the East Carson River from that bridge downstream all the way down to the California/Nevada state line. From Hangman’s Bridge upstream, there are no special regulations.

Washington Fire:
When you’re done sightseeing, fishing or both, continue on your trip.
Once you travel past the Carson River Resort, you will enter the area where the recent Washington Fire ravaged the countryside.

S.R. 89: When you reach the intersection where S.R. 4 (to Ebbett's Pass) and S.R. 89 (to Topaz Lake) part their ways, take S.R. 89 toward Monitor Pass and ultimately on to Topaz Lake. As you head uphill, S.R. 89 will become windy and a lot steeper. Several miles up the road, watch for Heenan Lake on your right hand side.
It is home to some spectacular sized Lahontan cutthroat trout, and it also has some very special fishing regulations. When finished sightseeing and/or fishing, continue driving uphill on S.R. 89.

Monitor Pass:
As you near the top of Monitor Pass, there will be spectacular views of the countryside, the mountains and the large groves of Quaking Aspen trees. Take the time to stop at the top to enjoy the scenery and take photographs.
If you would like to do something a little out of the ordinary, search for a lone peach tree, somewhere near the stone marker for Monitor Pass.

Local lore says that that tree was planted by a Basque sheepherder way back in the 1930’s. Also near that same stone marker, you can find numerous Basque sheepherder carvings on the Quaking Aspen trees. Wander through the trees and enjoy the art work.

Toward Highway 395:
When done, continue to drive east toward U.S. 395. You will begin a rather steep, winding decent, and as you slowly and carefully descend, you will see the panorama view of Slinkard Valley, far below and to the right.
Keep going on S.R. 89 until you reach its intersection with U.S. Highway 395.

Topaz Lake and Topaz Lodge:
At that intersection, turn left onto U.S. 395, drive along the shoreline of Topaz Lake, cross the California/Nevada state line, and in a short distance, you’ll be at the Topaz Lodge and Casino. That’s where you can take a nice, leisurely break. If you decide to eat a meal in the restaurant, be sure to ask for a booth with a view of the lake. Then, when finished with your meal, end this trip by driving the final few miles back home.

Back home:
You have traveled about 100 miles, portal to portal and had a small taste of what this general area has to offer in the way of recreation, sightseeing and various services. I hope it was a fun-filled and interesting trip for you, and if you had an enjoyable time, be sure to tell your relatives and friends about it, when you return back home.

Bet Your favorite Pigeon
Bet your favorite pigeon that he can't tell you the best part about Don stopping to eat at the Topaz Lodge restaurant. If he grins and says, "Don likes to order the steak (medium rare) and eggs (scrambled well) combination (served 24 hours a day) whenever he stops at Topaz," he has been one of his eating companions.

— Don Quilici is the Outdoor editor for Carson Now. Don's wife, Elaine, is the Outdoor photographer. They live in Carson City and can be reached at donquilici@hotmail.com.