Overview
The Petersen Mountains High Point is located in northwest Nevada, north of Reno, and near the California/Nevada state line in Washoe County. Highway 395 is just west of Peterson Mountains. The Petersen Mountains High Point is listed as #101 on the Nevada Prominence list with 2,501 ft of prominence. The topography of the Petersen Mountains is Basin and Range and is similar to much of the high desert landscape of northern Nevada with the range aligned almost exactly in a north/south direction.
The Petersen Mountains are on public land administered by the Bureau of Land Management Carson City District Office. The BLM has provided a nice trailhead on the east side of the mountain that I used to access the summit. The Petersen Mountains have been designated as a “Natural Area” and is mostly covered in grasses, sage brush, and a few aspens up high. The area is fenced and I think this designation is primarily to keep OHV’s from destroying the fragile landscape.
From the summit you get expansive views west into California and to the south towards Reno. Unfortunately it started snowing on me while I was on the summit and I didn’t get any good pic’s of the views.
For details on the hiking trail see the Route information.
Getting There
I approached the trailhead for the Petersen Mountains from Red Rock Road which is east of the mountain. Red Rock Road has an exit from Highway 395 north of Reno. Take this exit and go north about 14 miles on this nice paved road to a turn off on the left (west) side of the road that is a gravel road. This isn’t a great road, but I don’t think you need 4WD unless it is wet and muddy. You won’t be able to see the Petersen Mountains to the west until you get to the top of the first hill. Set your trip odometer and go 2.5 miles and turn left. At 3.0 miles take the right fork and at 3.3 miles stay right. At 3.4 miles turn right into the large parking area for the Petersen Mountains.
You may be able to approach this trailhead from Bordertown, but I didn’t use that road and cannot comment on its condition.
Red Tape
No red tape for climbing Petersen Mountain. No OHV’s.
Camping
Developed camping spots in Nevada are not plentiful because virtually the whole state is open to camping anywhere you want. The closest developed campground that I could find is at Pyramid Lake. In 2008 it cost $20/night to camp at the marina plus a $7 permit fee to access the lake.
There is plenty of room to camp at the trailhead, but there is no water available unless you hike up the hill to the spring.
Backpack camping near the summit is feasible, but bring all the water you need.
Mountain Conditions
The Petersen Mountains are accessible all year round. You must use precautions if you hike in the winter and the summer. The mountains get snow in the winter and if you want to climb in the snow, you should make proper preparations. Avalanches would be a remote happening on this mountain on the route I climbed. During the summer, the weather could be unbearably hot and lightning storms are not unusual. Be wary of thunderclouds and bring lots of water in the summer.
The closest town is Reno to the south.
Additions and Corrections
[ Post an Addition or Correction ]
|
| hgrapid | Trailhead access | |
Hasn't voted | Dennis, Like you, we approached from the east, which is probably the best way. Indeed there is access from Cold Springs, but it is a longer trek on dirt road. We had a guy check it out on his motorcycle before we went. He says the route noted on your site may be better now, but still recommended another way. This way was Goldstone Road, about 10 miles up Red Rock Road from the Red Rock Road exit off of Highway 395. Goldstone Road is a well graded dirt for the first couple miles or so. It then gets into single track. The road is washed out a bit, but very suitable for 4WD. The problem for us on March 10, 2012 was the fact that some recent snow and apparently little-to-no road maintenance left plenty of divots in the road, and a mud crossing. Still, it wasn’t too bad driving the final 3 miles or so to the actual trailhead with 4WD. Passenger cars; low clearance or 2WD would really struggle. Argosy Road is another way, but if you take a left after the road turns from wide to single track, it leads south to the same place you get to Single-Track on Goldstone Road. So Goldstone is better than Argosy. If you continue on Argosy it gets really hilly, and very difficult even for 4WD. | |
| Posted Mar 12, 2012 3:38 pm | ||
|
