Warming and Drying after Wind

• While Monday afternoon to Tuesday morning are likely going to be too windy for getting outside, we might see a silver lining. Even though there is a chance of precipitation overnight, the temperatures are expected to hover above freezing while the wind barrels through. That means we may pull a LOT of moisture out of the surface over night. As it is right now, the most sun exposed faces at trailhead elevation are starting to show signs of drying so there is a chance that some lower trails may be clear and firm by later in the week. This all requires a lot of conditions to go right (high wind, above freezing, high sunshine, etc). Most likely this week will largely be a muddy mess. Speaking of said messes, don’t expect the Steamboat Ditch Trail to be the exception to the rule. If you got out before it thawed this weekend you know just how bad it is between Woodchuck and Hole-In-The-Wall. For those who didn’t experience first hand, where ever it isn’t packed snow and ice, it is cratered full width with footprints. With the temperature supposed to stay above freezing this week, we might want to just stick to pavement at the lower elevations south of the river.

Trail Karma Opportunities:

Carcione and Canepa Ranch Master Plan

• On the West end of the valley, at Mogul, there are two properties owned by the county and set aside as open space with long term plans to develop into parks. These are the Carcione and Canepa Ranch properties that span the river to the east of the Belli Ranch neighborhood, west of the Tom Cooke trails, and south of the freeway and train tracks. The county held an initial survey and public input meeting via zoom and now you can watch that meeting recording on youtube and provide additional input via filling out this survey by January 7, 2022.

This Week’s Events

• Tuesday, January 04:

• 5:45pm

  • Silver State Striders will be running at Bartlett Ranch Regional park. Departing from the Huffaker school parking lot, there are hilly 5 and 9 mile options. Lights and reflective attire required and traction aids a strong suggestion due to winter conditions. More details on their website.

• Thursday, January 06:

  • 5:45pm

    • Silver State Striders will be running hills in southwest Reno. Departing from the Eclipse Running, this is ~7.5 miles of pavement and hills. Lights and reflective attire required and traction aids a strong suggestion due to winter conditions. More details on their website.

• Saturday, January 08:

  • 8:00am

    • Silver State Striders are running Old Toll Road and beyond into the Virginia City Highlands. There are 14 and 18 mile route options. If you are unfamiliar with Old Toll Road, it is a significant unpaved climb for the first few miles. Meeting at the dirt turnout at the bottom of Toll Road. Traction aids a strong suggestion due to winter conditions. More details on their Facebook Group Page.

That’s what’s on my radar at the moment. If you know of something I missed or is coming soon, send me an email and it might get listed. See you outside!