Cross Peak

Mountain/Rock

Cross Peak

Page Type: Mountain/Rock

Location: Nevada, United States, North America

Lat/Lon: 39.47740°N / 119.8635°W

County: Washoe

Activities: Hiking

Season: Spring, Fall, Winter

Elevation: 5483 ft / 1671 m

Page By: hgrapid

Created/Edited: Mar 25, 2009 / May 30, 2009

Object ID: 501039

Hits: 448

Page Score: 88.33% - 11 Votes

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Table of Contents

Overview

Sitting on the eastern edge of the Mount Rose Wilderness, Cross Peak rises just over the hillside neighborhoods of western Reno. If looking towards the Mount Rose Wilderness from Reno, Cross Peak fails to stand out. However, once you get close to it, it makes an instant impression. That is because of its steep rise and its rocky summit. Cross Peak rises like a thumb, sticking 400 feet up from its surrounding terrain. This sets it apart from the larger and more gradually sloping hills surrounding it.

On the way to Cross Peak.

Cross Peak didn't use to be so close to the community. Urban development encroached further up the hills until it finally ceased before it crossed over the peak. Another thing that changed the scenery around Cross Peak was a fire that scarred the landscape. Remnants of the fire are obvious along the trail.

Because of its accessibility, Cross Peak is an excellent after work hike. It takes about 20 minutes to reach the summit; even less if you run to the base. The last quarter mile is very steep, and works the calf muscles and lungs. Views from the summit are quite expansive, with the whole city of Reno in view.

View of Reno from the summit

Getting There

From 395 take McCarran Blvd west loop to the south entrance of Caughlin Parkway at the crest of the hill. Take a left on Caughlin Parkway and follow north as it winds around the hills. After about 1½ miles find Sawbuck on the right. Take a right on Sawbuck downhill and turn left on Bitteroot. Park at Bitteroot. If heading from I-80 go south on McCarran Blvd west loop to the north entrance of Caughlin Parkway. Follow the road as it winds southward. After about 1½ miles you will find Sawbuck on the left.

About 100 yards down Bitteroot on the right is the entrance to the Steamboat Ditch Trail. This is where you start the hike. Take the dirt trail for a couple minutes until it reaches a paved trail. Head right (south) on the paved trail where you will go under a tunnel. After the tunnel follow the paved path as it heads towards Cross Peak. About a hundred-fifty yards past the tunnel there is a dirt road on your right. Take the dirt road as it winds around a hill. The dirt road descends and then ascends back towards the base of Cross Peak. Once at the base, a use trail takes you just over a quarter mile to the summit, gaining about 390 feet. This is the north side of the mountain.

Looking back to the rocky summit of Cross Peak. Notice the cross - which marks the true summit.

From the trailhead, the total hiking distance to the summit is about 1 mile, and the elevation gain is 600 feet.

There is an alternative to hike Cross Peak requiring about the same hiking distance and elevation gain. Start at the same trailhead, but instead of taking the dirt road, continue on the paved trail to its terminus. Once at the end of the paved trail, continue on a dirt trail through the woods. After about 1/4 mile you reach a dirt road. The dirt road heads either southeast towards the neighborhoods or north back up to the hills. Head back north up the dirt road to the base of Cross Peak. From here, you can hike the eastern side of the mountain.

Certainly, Cross Peak is just a short, easy hike. However, there are options in this area for a longer hike. For example, on the main route, before the dirt road descends on the way to Cross Peak, an offshoot of the road ascends a hill back north under some transmission lines. There is any number of ways to hike the steep slope above, which eventually crests at an elevation just under 6700 feet. To reach this crest, requires about 2.5 miles of hiking distance and an elevation gain of just over 1800 feet.

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