| Virginia Range (Northern Nevada) Area/Range |
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| Page Type: Area/Range Location: Nevada, United States, North America Lat/Lon: 39.30829°N / 119.66353°W Activities: Hiking, Scrambling Season: Spring, Fall, Winter Elevation: 7864 ft / 2397 m | Page By: hgrapid Created/Edited: Dec 28, 2007 / May 26, 2009 Object ID: 368626 Hits: 2258 Loading... Page Score: 89.02% - 17 Votes Loading... Vote: Log in to vote |
Overview
Rocky face in the Virginia Range |
The Virginia Range covers a wide area of moderate-elevation mountains in Northern Nevada. The range is located to the East of Reno, North of Carson City, Northwest of Fallon, and Southwest of Fernley. The Western foothills of the range are in Washoe County, but the majority of the range is in Storey and Lyon Counties. Because the Virginia Range is located near these large communities, parts of range are quite accessible, with hiking trails and jeep roads heading from summit to summit.
The highest of these summits is Mount Davidson at 7,864 feet, which is also the highpoint of Storey County.
Near the Mount Davidson Summit |
The range is very wide, stretching over 30 miles north/south and over 40 miles East to West. In fact, it is this wide coverage area that makes the Virginia Range unlike most mountain ranges in Nevada. Most Nevada ranges have a distinct north-south running ridge, while the Virginia Range has no single ridge and generally runs southwest-northeast. (Source for this information)
The northern border of the range is the Truckee River, just south of I-80. This often confuses people, because north of I-80 is the southern terminus of the Pah Rah Range, This mountain range reaches 8367 feet at its highest point, Virginia Peak. Because these ranges are so close to each other, they are often confused for the same range. A low pass actually separates the Pah Rah Range, from the Virginia Mountains which are east of Pyramid Lake. The Virginia Range is often confused with the Virginia Mountains, which are located north of the Pah Rah Range, and 25 miles north of the Virginia Range.
Five Highest Peaks according to Peakbagger.com
1. Mount Davidson 7864
2. Ophir Hill 7782
3. Mount Bullion 7682
4. Butler Peak 7520+
5. Flowery Range HP 7337
However, McClellan Peak, at the tail end of the Virginia Range should be #5, since it is 7,451'
The best time to hike in this range is in winter and early spring. The range is plagued with mud, snakes, and intense heat during the summer and fall. This is an excellent hiking destination if you want to avoid the deep snow of the Northern Sierras to the West. Plus, the sunsets in winter time are extraordinary.
Hiking down Peak 6075 in late December, with the glow of sunset reflecting on the mountain. |
Roads and trailheads in the Virginia RangePrincipal hikes in the Virginia Range are located in Virginia City and Reno, Nevada. Most of the other mountains in the range are outside of town and without hiking trails or defined trailheads. I will focus on primary roads and accessible hiking areas on this page. I will grow the page as I collect additional data, or receive comments and suggestions.
Primary roads through the Virginia Range
There are really only three main roads cutting through the Virginia Range.
U.S. Highway 50
U.S. Highway 50 runs south of the Virginia Range, and allows for some offshoots to the Virginia Range, including route 79, aka Six Mile Canyon Road. Past Six Mile Canyon Road, several mining roads lead up into the Virginia Range. However, much of the Virginia Range north of U.S. Highway 50 is on private land, which may restrict access to some of these summits.
Route 341
Route 341 (aka Geiger Grade Road) is an extension of the Mount Rose Highway (Route 431). It works its way up and through the Virginia Range to Virginia City, rising to almost 7,000 feet at its highest point. Most of the area along this road is private land, so there may be restrictions to exploring along the road until you get closer to Virginia City.
Virginia City is at the base of several high Virginia Range peaks, including Mount Davidson, Ophir Hill, Mount Bullion, and Butler Peak. Much of this area is on BLM lands, which allows you to explore the area at your leisure.
I-80
I-80 runs through the northern extension of the Virginia Range. About 5 miles past Sparks, you can make it out to Clark Mountain, 7196' by taking Waltham Way from the Patrick Exit, and heading east towards a road that curves up the lower flanks of the mountain, 800' below the summit.
Clark Mountain 7,196' |
Primary trailheads and areas with access to summits
Washoe Lake
North of U.S. Highway 50, the range can be reached from East Lake Blvd (aka Route 428) in Washoe City (which is east of Washoe Lake). Several small roads head east from East Lake Blvd, most notably Jumbo Grade Way. The highest of these mountains is McClellan Peak at 7,451 feet. McClellan and other mountains here are primarily on BLM land, so hiking and exploring is allowed, but make sure that the road you take to get to them isn't private. Usually a big warning sign will let you know.
The Southern Virginia Range rises immediately east from Washoe Lake. The mountains in the distance are the Pine Nut Mountains. View of Washoe Lake from the summit of Slide Mountain (9698') |
Southeast Reno
In southeast Reno, the Steamboat Parkway heads out towards the Virginia Range, which can be hiked in the hills behind Damonte Ranch High School. This part of the Range reaches summits over 6,000 feet.
East and Northeast Reno
In east and northeast Reno, Hidden Valley County Park and Anderson Lake Road head up to prominent summits in the Reno skyline.
Trailheads for these mountains include the Huffaker Hills trailhead and the terminus of Anderson Lake Road, and Hidden Valley County Park.
The Huffaker Hills trailhead, which is located in Reno at the foothills of the Virginia Range. It is accessed off of Anderson Lake Road, which can be reached by taking the first right on East McCarren Blvd past Longley Lane. The highest of the Huffaker Hills is Rattlesnake Mountain at 5,011'.
The parking area for the Huffaker Hills 4617' |
To get to the Virginia Range from Anderson Lake Road, you go past the Huffaker Hills trailhead, and follow the road to its terminus. From here, you can hike Peak 6075 and its sub-peaks.
Peak 6075 in winter, and the route from Anderson Peak Road. |
Perhaps the best hiking spot in the Virginia Range accessible in Reno is in Hidden Valley County Park. To get to the Park, take East McCarren Blvd to Pembroke Lane, heading towards the mountains. Take Pembroke for 1.8 miles until you see Parkway Drive. Take a right on Parkway Drive which enters Hidden Valley County Park in less than half a mile.
Hidden Valley Park sits below Peak 6075, Point 5768 and the Colored Hills, and Peak 5987.
There are miles of hiking trails in these hills, with steep slopes, colorful rocks, and great views from the summits. Details on hiking these mountains are explained on their respective pages.
The colorful hills in December 2007. They are only snow covered for a few weeks each year. |
Red TapeHiking in the Virginia Range is generally allowed in areas near state parks and scenic areas such as Washoe Lake, Hidden Valley County Park, and Virginia City. Some of the more remote sections of the Virginia Range may be off limits. So, if you are inclined to explore these areas make sure to look out for "No Trespassing" signs.
Jeep roads run all throughout the front part of the range near Reno, heading through the upper reaches of the mountains down to the other side of the Western front of the Range. This is primarily a spot for ATV riders and for people who go out target shooting. If you hike in this area, make sure to look out for these people, and make your presence known. Deer, coyote, and wild horses are found within this range, and you should watch for their droppings. External LinksVirginia Range Wildlife Protection Association
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