Weekend Outlook 1/06-1/02, 2022
Trail Reports:
Wednesday 1/4/22 3pm:
I found standing water in footprints, saturated soils, and soft, saturated snow in the lower Evans Canyon trails and north-facing portions of the Keystone Canyon/Rancho Connector. I bailed off the connector to try and find drier soils on the 4x4 roads on south facing slopes between Evans Canyon and Keystone Canyon, but still encountered soft, sticky, peanut butter in many areas. Trails in this area are not ready for foot or bike traffic. -Anonymous
Weekend Events:
Here are the events that are on the radar for this weekend:
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.
Trail Outlook
In a word… Mucky. As the trail report at the top describes, there is just way too much meltwater everywhere. While isolated patches are beginning to firm up, no trail segment has escaped one or more extended sections of total saturation or outright surface water. This weekend’s above freezing daytime temperatures and the expected wintry mix on Friday will only prolong these conditions. This is an excellent weekend to drive up above the snow line and enjoy some of that beautiful white stuff we can see ringing the valleys.
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. The rapid heat, wind, and cold cycling rapidly changes backcountry conditions. 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.
Last light of a winter sunset over the Kings Row trailhead. Credit: Laura Weiss