Weekend Outlook 12/22-12/25, 2022 (Christmas Weekend)

Trail Damage Warning:

• Whites Creek had some serious flooding in the early August round of downpours. Major trail damage along much of the lower section of trail as well as some of the upper section. The local trail managers are all aware of the damage and would appreciate users seeking alternate routes until they are able to get repairs done. Due to the extensive nature of the current damage, that may not be this year. If you are planning on doing the Dry Pond loop, be careful or consider an out and back on the Thomas Creek side.

Weekend Events:

Here are the events that are on the radar for this weekend:

• Thursday, December 22:

  • 5:45 pm

    • Silver State Striders will be running 7 ish miles of hills starting and ending at Eclipse Running (Moana & Lakeside). Headlamps and reflective clothing are a must. Traction aids are also suggested due to the chance of ice on the route. Check their Facebook Group Page for more details. You can also find their training schedule on their website at this link.

• Saturday, December 24:

  • Christmas Eve

  • 8:00 am

    • Silver State Striders are running 10 ish out and back from the Glen Hare Center (350 Hunter Lake Drive) winding through Old Southwest Reno. Check their Facebook Group Page for more information. You can also find their training schedule on their website at this link.

• Sunday, December 25:

  • Christmas Day

Trail Outlook

• The Truckee Meadows are going to pull a classic trick and melt all the snow right before Christmas day. No white Christmas for us. Thursday night into Friday there is a slight chance of overnight rain which may extend the melt deeper into the shaded areas too. With all this warmth and melting comes mud. Generally, you can expect deep mud at most trailheads and on any trail segment that isn’t covered by snow. A few very sun exposed sections, such as Las Brisas trail, may firm up by Thursday afternoon, but any water crossing or hillside drain is expected to stay wet and soft throughout the weekend. Hidden Valley Regional Park is the only exception to the mud expectation. The trails in the park proper are likely to be firm and clear and the upper trails may firm up quickly with the warm weather. Given the mostly calm and sunny conditions, this is another great weekend to slather the sunscreen and hit the snow parks, resorts, or snow shoes. Plenty of packed and groomed trails around Tahoe Meadows and Chickadee Ridge. With the holiday spanning Saturday and Sunday there is a good chance you won’t be alone where ever you go outside.

If you are swapping the running and riding for a little back country sliding, check out the latest avalanche conditions over at Sierra Avalanche Center. Avalanche conditions are improving, but the persistent weak layer that showed up with the last storm may be haunting your favorite untracked patch. Knowing where to look can make the difference of coming home.

If you get out, let us know what you saw by submitting a trail report.

Be kind, be safe, and enjoy.

December 20, 2022 Last light over Reno looking South-East from ALERTWildfire.com’s Peavine Peak camera.