Surprising number of hiking trails at Carson's Washoe State Park
I haven't been doing hiking of late because of a back problem, but with my new electronic "tickle belt" I'm able to hit the hills again.
I recently returned to my old favorite Dead Man's Creek on Eastlake Boulevard about 5 miles from downtown Carson. It was 90-plus that day so I turned back burned out before reaching the gazebo that perches at the end of the trail, but I did discover a new sign at the trailhead, courtesy of Nevada Division of State Parks. It's one of the best trail signs I've seen in recent times.
I was surprised to see how many hiking trails it describes — more than a dozen. And here I thought there were just two, the one to the gazebo listed as .6 miles (it's actually closer to one mile) and the one to the left as you start up the gazebo trail. That one leads to the Washoe Lake Park Ranger Station about a level mile away. You can also branch off from the gazebo trail at the first switchback for a nice wildlife viewing area about a half-mile uphill. And there's a trail starting up at the Ranger station that leads up into the hills to the south.
But the new sign and brochures at the sign list several trails all of them accessible from the Creek parking lot (small, maybe four close cars). Just walk across the highway through the gate and you're in the park.
Walking to the north brings you to the entrance to the park (a fee to drive in) and the beginning of many trails which wind along the lake shore. There's a dunes trail which takes one along the many sand dunes that line the western shore of the lake. The dunes were built up by sand blowing off Slide Mountain into the lake and being washed up on the eastern shores. The dunes are fragile so one must stick to the trail.
Other routes lead through the campgrounds area, which may not be as interesting but could result in meeting some out-of-town visitors. The campgrounds and equestrian areas are well designed and offer room for tenters and RV tourists (fees apply, of course).
The park often offers special events, such as star watching, and coming up Saturday Aug. 20 is "Dutch Oven Cooking for Beginners." This will be a demonstration of iron-pot cooking. "Bring your own apron and be prepared to do so cooking," the Rangers advise Call 687-4319 to receive a spot.
The park itself is a real beauty with lovely places to just view the lake and enjoy a picnic. Facilities include toilets and drinking water. There's a launching ramp for small boats and a group site for reunions and other gatherings.
One of the nice things about the park is that even in 90-degree plus, the shoreline is cool thanks to the westerly winds coming across the lake, which incidentally is at a season high right now as the snow melt continues to feed it.
The gazebo looked just fine up there and the hills behind it as hike-able as even. Maybe when the temps are ion the 80s … .
---Sam Bauman
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