The Mount Rose Wilderness is one of the most accessible mountain wilderness' with alpine territory in the United States, given its proximity to Reno and Carson City.

Relay Peak (right) and Lake Tahoe from the slopes of Mount Rose

Mount Rose is considered the highest mountain in the "Carson Range" which encompasses the Mount Rose Wilderness and the mountains East of Lake Tahoe and northwest of Carson City. These mountains are far drier than the Sierra Nevada range to the West, receiving nearly half the rainfall, and losing its snow much earlier in the summer season.

The Mount Rose Wilderness encompasses a total of 31,310 acres, and the area was designated the Mt. Rose Wilderness in 1989 by the U.S. Congress. Entrance to the wilderness can be made from within Reno city limits. All of the wilderness is in Nevada and is managed by the Forest Service.

The highest mountain in the range is Mount Rose at 10,776', about 300 feet higher than any other mountain in the range for which it does not share a ridge with less than 300' between them.

Mount Rose is the only mountain in the wilderness that can be considered "alpine" or "above tree line" but only by about 100 feet or so.

Mount Rose from Point 8364

Getting There

There are several trailheads close to the City of Reno where you can access the primary wilderness trails. To climb the loftier peaks in the wilderness (including Mount Rose, Mount Houghton, Relay Peak, Tamarack Peak, and Slide Mountain) the best trailhead is well-developed parking area called the Mount Rose Summit. It can be accessed by taking the aptly titled Mount Rose Highway (Rt 431), which winds through the wilderness with access to several ski areas. It should take no more than 30-40 minutes to reach this parking area from anywhere within City Limits.

Zoom shot of Mount Houghton

Looking back at Tamarack Peak from high up on the Mount Rose Trail

Relay Peak from the Relay Peak Service Road

Chocolate Peak from the Jones Creek-White's Creek trail

Galena State Park is an entry way into the lower slopes of the Mount Rose Wilderness. The park sits at an elevation of about 6,300 feet, and is host to several trails including the very popular the Jones Creek/White Creek loop. This is only about 15 minutes from downtown Reno.

About the same distance from downtown is the Thomas Creek Trail, which takes hikers up over 9,700 feet where Point 9896 and Mount Snowflower can be reached. The Thomas Creek Trail is reached by taking the Mount Rose Highway to Timberline Drive. The trail can be accessed from the trailhead up on Timberline Drive, with better access reached by taking FS Road 049 for 2.5 miles up to 6950 feet.

Snowflower Mountain (10,243')

The northern extension of the Wilderness can be reached from Northwest Reno via the Mount Rose Substation area off of Caughlin Parkway or the Hunter Creek Trail off of Woodchuck, also reached off of Caughlin Parkway. There are several opportunities for boulder climbing off of that trail in particular. These trailheads are about 10 minutes away from downtown Reno.

View on the way down the Hunter Creek Trail.

There are a number of other trailheads located West of the Mount Rose Summit parking area towards Incline Village. From these it is possible to hike up Rose Knob, Rose Knob Peak, and Rifle Peak. Finding trailheads to these mountains is a little less clear, and these mountains lack well defined trails. There are currently efforts to improve trails in Hunter Creek and Galena State Park.

Red Tape

There is no Red Tape in particular, but keep in mind that roads may be closed due to fire danger. Parking at the trailheads is free.

When to Climb

Hiking can be done all year round in the Mount Rose Wilderness. The Hunter Creek Trail accesses the wilderness at an elevation of about 5,000 feet, so the trail doesn't usually get significant snowfall. By May the rock ledges along this trail may have rattlesnakes, and it is recommended you do not hike here when temperatures in the valley are above 80 degrees.

Galena County Park trails start about 6,200 feet, and are usually free of snow starting in April and continuing through early-mid December. Jones Creek-Whites Creek trails which head up over 8,000 feet are generally clear by late April. Bear season starts by the summer, and that should be considered before hiking in the forest alone.

Higher elevation trails, like the Mount Rose Trail, generally lose most of their snow by early June. Trails are generally clear from mid-June through early November. Except in very dry years, snowstorms will start in November and these trails will be covered in snow.

Here is a rule of thumb for hiking different mountains or trails:
Mount Rose/Church Peak: June-October
Mount Houghton/Relay Peak: June-November
Snowflower Mountain: June-November
Slide Mountain: June-November
Chocolate Peak: May-November
Thomas Creek Trail (6,000-9,800 feet): Year-round depending on elevation
Jones Creek-Whites Creek loop (6,200-8,200 feet): April-December
Hunter Creek Trail (5,200-6,200 feet): October-April

Camping

For information on camping, see here and here.

External Links

Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit
Wilderness.net

Images



[ View Gallery - 8 More Images ]