running in Reno, NV: where are some good place to run (on trails/dirt/grass only)

Do you have a car?

If you do, here's your running heaven:

Take 395 North to the Golden Valley Road exit. Go right coming off the highway, follow Golden Valley Road to Estates, left on Estates road. Park where the pavement turns into dirt. Your car will be safe.

Run north, up the hill. You will come to a fork in the road, run to the right. You will be going up a long hill. When that plateaus out, take any of the small dirt roads to the left. Just do an out-and-back.

Enjoy.

Interestingly I am in Reno currently.

Reno is a hidden training gem. Mild year round temperatures. 4500' altitude.

Because Reno is in a bowl there are plenty of marshy areas/floodzones that are not buildable.

Reno Parks & Rec has put gravel paths around these greenbelts. Multiple trails in the hills surrounding.

This is even in South Reno...not just the downtown U. Nevada Reno area.

Reno is hardly even a gambling town anymore - tho you can still get a $5.99 Prime Rib at CalNeva. Reno sure has changed since the early 80's.

Why Reno isn't uttered in the same breath as Eugene, Boulder, Boise, Provo, Spokane.....is beyond me.

Thoughts?????

codger wrote:

Interestingly I am in Reno currently.

Reno is a hidden training gem. Mild year round temperatures. 4500' altitude.

Because Reno is in a bowl there are plenty of marshy areas/floodzones that are not buildable.

Reno Parks & Rec has put gravel paths around these greenbelts. Multiple trails in the hills surrounding.

This is even in South Reno...not just the downtown U. Nevada Reno area.

Reno is hardly even a gambling town anymore - tho you can still get a $5.99 Prime Rib at CalNeva. Reno sure has changed since the early 80's.

Why Reno isn't uttered in the same breath as Eugene, Boulder, Boise, Provo, Spokane.....is beyond me.

Thoughts?????

redneck conservatives instead of educated liberals is why people don't know Reno as well as other training mecas

I have a legitimate snake phobia. How often do you guys see snakes while running on trails or dirt roads out west?

Check out racho san rafael park for some nice dirt/grass to run on. If you're feeling some hills(and have a car) head over to Galena Creek Park, tons of awesome trails there.

If you get a chance take the 45 minute drive up to Lake Tahoe. It's a phenomenal place to run.

I am a Reno native and I do most of my running on trails and dirt roads. I see maybe 2 or 3 snakes a year, and I haven't seen a rattler in more than 10 years. You'll be fine.

guys, thanks so much for all the info and suggestions, I may check them all out (and sorry I did not reply back yet, busy).

I am staying on the south side of Reno. My hotel is near Huffaker park, and so far I've run there a few times (nice, hilly, dirt trail surrounding a big hill/"mini-mountain". 1.4 miles, repeat it 5 times)

To answer you question, yes, I have a car. So I will look for what you guys suggest.

How far is your first suggestion? I am staying on gateway drive off of south meadow parkway (and yes I will map it if you don't reply). What do you think of the suggestions from the poster above you?

Thanks again to all that replied.

(and I've only seen one little snake. I saw a lot more in the south on trail runs)

Reno runner, are you staying at the Residence Inn?

Don't you have to drive to Huffaker Hills to get a run in?

There is a Hills system (don't know name) due north on Gateway about 1 mile north of S. Meadows.

There is an inter-connecting series of crushed gravel trails heading northeast. I connected 100 yards north of S. Meadows ON Gateway. Miles & miles are inter-connecting trails through the grassy open spaces.

Very windy yesterday.

codger wrote:

Reno runner, are you staying at the Residence Inn?

Don't you have to drive to Huffaker Hills to get a run in?

There is a Hills system (don't know name) due north on Gateway about 1 mile north of S. Meadows.

There is an inter-connecting series of crushed gravel trails heading northeast. I connected 100 yards north of S. Meadows ON Gateway. Miles & miles are inter-connecting trails through the grassy open spaces.

Very windy yesterday.

Yes, that's where I am, you nailed it. Funny, small world (is that where you are?)

I've driven to Huffaker, but discovered one can get there in less than .5 miles by going down Gateway toward the park and cutting through a business parking lot (forgot name, but across the street is some Fitness club. ) and finding sort of trail head. I will look for the trails you are mentioning.

How long you in Reno?

Reno runner,

I've lived here for 19 years and am only 1.5 miles from the Residence Inn. The 1.4 mile loop you've run is Huffaker Mountain Trail, a City park, not to be confused with the Huffaker Hills which is County property to the east (across Double R Blvd).

As mentioned, Rancho San Rafael has great trails and is about 12 miles away. You can run for hours and climb as much as 3000 feet up Peavine Mtn. It's just north of downtown. There's also Bartley Ranch Park which is closer, but is more enclosed. Check this website for trails around the Reno area.

http://www.washoecounty.us/parks/ParkTrailMaps

I really like the Jones/Whites Creek loop. Be forewarned though, it involves about 2000 feet of climbing starting around 5500 feet.

If you want to do tempo on a paved 3.25 mile loop, go to Damonte Ranch Park on Steamboat Parkway, about 2.5 miles southwest of you.

Another option is the Steamboat Ditch Trail. Go to Horseman's Park at 2100 Pioneer Parkway. Go west from the paved parking lot across Skyline Blvd. Great city views along this trail. You'll cross several residential roads. When you get to the underpass, you've run 5 miles.

JM

Wow man, thanks for the input.

You guys have all been very helpful. I am here for another ~ 10 days so, I have chances to try a bunch of these options. Sounds like some challenging stuff.

Appreciate all the feedback from everyone. this is why letsun is still a good site.

Does Jason still post here? He always had good information on running in the great state of Nevada.

Tons of good trails as listed above.The only downside is lack of shade. Not good in the summer for blondies like me.

Reno wrote:

I really like the Jones/Whites Creek loop. Be forewarned though, it involves about 2000 feet of climbing starting around 5500 feet.

JM

I've done these trails. They are nice and secluded, but they are tough, no doubt. All uphill or downhill barely any flat areas.

Another spot a friend liked was Davis Creek Park on the drive down to Carson City. Has plenty of trails that start in the valley and then go up into the mountains.

If you're in Reno you might as well hoof it to Truckee and Tahoe for a weekend. Tahoe is truly heaven on earth. I'm amazed it's not a national park.

TLW wrote:

Does Jason still post here? He always had good information on running in the great state of Nevada.

I suspect that Jason has already replied to this thread.

South Meadows parkway...

I suspect you are doing time with IGT.

Not much longer for me. The flat trails start almost directly north of the Residence Inn (on the opposite side of the road). They head northeast. Any time you come to a big grassy field look for a gravel trail around the edge. Heading toward Huffaker Hills (the real Huffaker Hills) you will see a lake (1 mile loop around).

Keep going NE and you will come back on to S. Meadows (but further down). Then you hit a trail that follows a long narrow marshy area for quite a few miles.

I did an out & back.

OP, how do you fit your evening run in with managers happy hour?

I will be doing that run at 7pm in front of the RI swimming pool at Gateway.

I've lived here for 19 years and am only 1.5 miles from the Residence Inn.

Read more:

http://www.letsrun.com/forum/flat_read.php?thread=5240877#ixzz2WmSbunsQ

Reno native - any good running on the other side of 580?

South Meadows becomes Foothill Road on the other side of 580. How far back into the hills (on that side of 580) would one have to go to access trails?

Also, how manageable/brutal is Reno in the winter?

Thanks.