The returning runner…
Act 74 – Washoe County Area Trail Review #3 – Dry Pond Trail Loop (4 stars – very pretty this time of year!)
Every day is different. For some reason, I had some “pep” in my stride and eagerly dug in to the hilly first half of the run. Maybe it was the two hazards most prevalent in my mind that got me going – wasps and mountain lions. The wasp incident was recent, having been stung in the buttocks and also an even more sensitive area. But I think that the more life-threatening danger was what was giving me the extra energy. I have never seen one, but twice mountain bikers had advised me that they had seen a mountain lion just a few hundred yards ahead in the immediate area of Dry Pond. I figure I’ll never know until it’s too late but, nevertheless, my head was on a swivel trying to spot a dangerous cat. Heck, no one had actually been killed by a mountain lion on this trail! What are the odds that I would be the first?? With this encouraging thought I pushed on. I had started at the northerly trailhead just past the pavement at the end of Timberline Road. Nice parking and restrooms too. And, for whatever reason, that was the direction I almost always ran this “loop”. Starting from the trailhead, the route included a challenging climb of just over 1,000 feet – topping out at over 7,000 feet. The hills are varied with some nearly flat stretches and some challenging climbs too.
Both along the initial 2 miles or so as well as the finishing trail stretch there is pretty continuous creek water for dogs to enjoy (and a nice respite to dip your hat on a hot day too). Well shaded too for most of the first half. Dry Pond itself is truly usually dry. But, on an early season run on a wet year you might find an actual pond at the crest of the route. Heading down on the southerly slope from Dry Pond, there is an old burn scar so can get a little hot on this stretch (probably why I hit this exposed area in the downhill direction). Reaching the bottom along Whites Creek there is both a dirt road as well as a trail paralleling the creek. Honestly, not all that different from each other. I tend to take the dirt road as it is less rocky, but the trail is a little more shaded and closer to the creek which the dogs tend to enjoy. So… pick one.
The only downside of the route is that to make it a loop, you have to run a half mile or so on paved Timberline Road. Otherwise, one of my favorites!
Mark’s Dry Pond Trail Rating – 4 out of 5 Stars
Factors:
Parking – Ample.
Restrooms – Located near the parking areas.
Trail surface – The full range from a dirt road, to rocky, to improved creek bridge crossings.
Terrain- A good hill workout with some altitude!
Dog friendly – Water available in several spots with the longest stretch without water accessibility 2 miles or so. The first mile or so out of the northern trailhead signs call for dogs to be leashed.
Aesthetics/other factors – A challenging route but not crazy. Fairly shaded for most of the way.
Additional Information: https://www.washoecounty.gov/parks/trails/images/Truckee%20Meadows%20Trails%20Guide
Photo: Nice trail bridge creek crossings (to see the pic, go to my main blog page - https://www.markgookinruns.com/blog )