My family and I were in Reno for the Triple Crown World Series softball tournament. We arrived Monday and were there until Saturday. Mount Rose, highpoint of Washoe County, is 30 minutes away from Reno. I knew I would get a chance to climb it, but wasn't sure on the timing. On Tuesday morning, I set the alarm for 4am and was planning to do a early ascent, needing to be back by 11am. However, I wasn't feeling it that morning (didn't like the idea of finding the trailhead in the dark, not enough sleep, worried about errands I needed to run, etc...).

Finally on Friday we played a 9:45am game and then had the day off. I waited until 3pm to leave so I could hike the peak (at least half of it) in the setting sun. Despite being 96 degrees in Reno, it was only 70 degrees at the trailhead at 8900 feet! In addition, there was a lovely breeze. I was excited about the conditions, so off I headed in high spirits.

Mount Rose is a very popular hike, but rather long for the novice hiker at 10.6 miles roundtrip. The trail is wide, well marked, and well traveled. I ran into at least 30 people, most of them headed down.

I made good progress to the waterfall that is just short of the halfway point. Here I took my first break. My heels have been bothering me lately, but were not aching yet. On the bleak side, I had 1800' of elevation to go, after giving up the 300 feet I had gained on the first quarter of the hike.

After the waterfall, I started gaining elevation quickly. In addition to elevation gain, I was passing incredible flower displays! After following a couple of small drainages, the trail emerged near the treeline and started switchbacking up Mount Rose. Above the treeline the views were tremendous! The lighting was poor though, so no great pictures... YET.

The top is stunning as it sits 6000' above Reno. Numerous lakes, including Washoe Lake and Lake Tahoe are visible. I escaped the wind by sitting in some well crafted wind structures on top. After some pictures, I headed down.

As the sun lowered, the lighting became incredible. I was rewarded with some great photos on the way out, especially of Lake Tahoe with the setting sun behind.

The last 2 miles were painful because of my heels, but I was still able to finish in 4 hours and 30 minutes, despite taking hundreds of photos on the hike out.

If you are ever in Reno, this is a must do hike!

Drive south from Reno on U.S. 395. The freeway ends at the Mt. Rose Highway (SR 431). Turn right and follow signs toward Lake Tahoe and Incline Village. Continue on 431 as it climbs elevation. Go past the Mt. Rose ski area to the Mt. Rose Trailhead at the 8900' summit of the pass. Look for a huge paved parking lot with a large information area and restrooms.

From the parking lot, the trail starts to the left of the bathrooms. Follow the trail for a 100 yards or so to a sign indicating the start of the Mount Rose trail. Follow this trail for 2.6 miles to a junction (the junction is just past the waterfall). At the junction bear right (following signs to Mount Rose) and continue for 2.7 miles to the peak.