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| Page Type: Trailhead Location: Nevada, United States, North America Lat/Lon: 39.45900°N / 119.753°W County: Washoe Season: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter Elevation: 4600 ft / 1402 m | Page By: 1000Pks Created/Edited: Dec 1, 2006 / Dec 24, 2006 Object ID: 248280 Hits: 1125 Loading... Page Score: 82.86% - 3 Votes Loading... Vote: Log in to vote |
OverviewThis newly built trailhead (elevation 4,600+ feet) is in response to the rapidly increasing population of the Reno, Nevada, area. Undeveloped lands are quickly being swallowed up by new construction. Open space is shortly to become scarce in the city area, with subdivisions and malls being built at a steady rate. The Washoe County Parks and Recreation District is currently putting in trails and support facilities, with the help of the local newspaper.
Most of the hills are barren, with only scrub brush and no trees. Rocks of volcanic origin lay about the landscape, and a reservoir lies nearby.How to Get There From the U.S. 395 freeway in Reno, Nevada, south of Interstate 80, exit, southbound, at South Virginia Street Exit to turn left (south) on South Virginia Street. Come shortly to South McCarran Boulevard. Turn left (east), and proceed, roughly 1.8 miles, to the stoplighted intersection of South McCarran Boulevard and Longley Lane. These are both major streets in Southeast Reno, Nevada. You must be headed eastbound along South McCarran to make the turn onto the proper road (you might make a sharp U-turn at Longley Lane, if headed westbound along South McCarran Boulevard). About 70 yards east along South McCarran, past the intersection with Longley Lane, you will see a small sign indicating Huffaker Hills Trailhead. Rattlesnake Mountain (5,011') rises above, here. Turn right (south) and travel about a mile on this two lane paved road. At the top of the hill, the trailhead is signed and obvious on the right (south) side. The entrance road is a bit rough, so drive slowly, here. The parking lot is gravel, with room for about 40 cars.
There are two basic signboards here, with rules, a topo map, and directions. An outhouse is available. There is no water, here.
Watch for the fairly heavy truck traffic, as this trailhead approach road seems to serve a quarry or something.
You can make a left turn, carefully, as the traffic goes fast, back onto westbound South McCarran, leaving this trailhead access road.
Other former access points are mostly now signed private property. Once it was possible to ascend Rattlesnake Mountain from Rio Poco Drive, but no more. This highest bump is now not publicly accessible, it seems.TrailsStill under construction, the main trails here lead south past informational displays, and one heads for the high point, the east summit of Twin Peaks (4,851'). The trails are very good, and easily followed. A few picnic tables are located about, and along the trail. No signs indicating any directions to destinations or mileages are yet up, but the area is small, and it doesn't take very long to hike. There are topo map displays, with a "you are here" indication, along the main trail in two points. It takes about a half hour to ascend the highest bump, the east summit of Twin Peaks. A cairn and wooden bench are located on top. The views are pretty good, mainly of the surrounding city and mountains. Images
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