Showing posts with label dog friendly hikes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label dog friendly hikes. Show all posts

Tuesday, March 31, 2020

Take a Scenic Stroll Back in Time and Walk the Lands of the Cowboys at Bartley Ranch, Nevada.


6000 Bartley Ranch Road,
Reno, NV 89511


Park Ranger Office: (775) 828-6612
Pavilion Reservations (775) 823-6501


Bartley Ranch occupies a cherished spot among my favorite parks in Reno. Its Western ambiance, unique beauty, and array of amenities, along with special events, firmly establish it as a top contender on my all-time favorite list.

This park offers a variety of spaces, ideal for diverse activities such as picnics, leisurely strolls, wildlife observation, pet walking, and the hosting of special events like parties, concerts, weddings, or even providing an immersive experience of stepping back in time.

The park is decorated with old vintage tractors and wooden shacks, evoking a sense of what life was like in bygone days. The presence of horse tracks along the trails enhances the historical experience.

The park features a beautiful Western Heritage Interpretive Center, a vintage Huffaker School, and an amphitheater available for rental for special occasions. Informative pamphlets in front of the interpretive center provide details about the park's flora, fauna, and history.

Approaching from the south, a scenic lookout presents breathtaking views before descending into the ranch. From this vantage point, one can appreciate a white picket fence shaped like Nevada, observe runners traversing the slopes, witness dog walkers, and see individuals enjoying the scenery from benches.

Within a short 30 minutes, I encountered a wide variety of wildlife and traversed various terrains during a short walk. A charming nature trail, complete with a quaint bridge, led to a wooden walkway against picturesque mountainous hills, followed by a zigzagging trail looping back to the ranch.

Whether participating in a special event, embarking on a scenic stroll, observing wildlife, taking in scenic views, walking your furry friends, celebrating a special occasion, or enjoying a picnic, Bartley Ranch Park is sure to please. It's a park that consistently draws me back for more, and I'm delighted to share this experience with all of you.

Notes
*Plenty of parking available
*Arrive early for special events as parking fills up fast
*Bartley Ranch Park is a popular place for photo sessions

Reccomended Gear
-Sunscreen (after trying so many options, this is my family's favorite)
-Water Bottle (definitely a must in Reno's dry climate)
-Portable potty Liners (priceless gadget that makes any hike with kids a breeze)

*As an Amazon associate I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.



Bartley Ranch in Fall


Park at Audrey Harris Park for lookout.


Photography
©Katherine Fung,
All rights reserved.

Sunday, November 24, 2019

Get your Play on and Take a Short and Scenic Hike at Huffaker Park




South Reno
1160 E Huffaker Ln, Reno, NV 89511


Huffaker park is a park that has it all.  I was so glad when I found this sweet park nicely tucked away in a nice neighborhood.  My kids enjoy the structures/running on the grass and the trail is the perfect distance for my family and I to get the right amount of exercise. Plenty of street parking is available and the trail is completely exposed, so don't forget to protect yourself against the elements. I plan on throwing a party here in the future and know that it will not disappoint.

What you will find:
-a short and sweet looped trail (1.4 miles) with a bit of a challenging upward slope at the beginning (once you start feeling a little burn, it will be over and you will be rewarded with nice views of Reno). From there on out, the trail is easy and enjoyable
-a gazebo at the top of the hill
-basketball court
-two playgrounds with big trees nearby
-a huge covered pavilion right next to one of the play structures and a BBQ grill
-restrooms
-baseball field
-tennis court
-exercise area with lots of bars
-wide open areas of grass ideal for sports and running around with your dog
-water fountain and restroom
-amphitheater at the top of the trail
-beautiful tall trees around the park area (lots of shade)
-path ideal for jogging and mountain biking
-a small creek that runs through the park
-a few interpretive signs about nature
-flowers in spring
-lots of people walking their dogs
-dirt/rocky path on the trail
-benches laid out around the trail and park. You can have a picnic up on the mountain.
-view of mt. Rose

Reccomended Gear
-Sunscreen (after trying so many options, this is my family's favorite)
-Water Bottle (definitely a must in Reno's dry climate + earth friendly)
-Portable potty Liners (priceless gadget that makes any hike with kids a breeze)

*As an Amazon associate I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

Wednesday, November 13, 2019

Take A Beautiful, Short and Educational hike at Tahoe Meadows Interpretive Loop




Just after having my newborn baby a few years ago, I longed to go out for a walk, preferably somewhere beautiful in nature where the whole family could have a good time. It was a mission of mine to search for the perfect place — a place with great views, a short trail, a stroller-friendly path, with some shade and easy to get to. I was lucky to have found Tahoe Meadows, as it has come to be one of my family's favorite hikes.

There are some interpretive signs around and the path is very enjoyable for the kids with lots of nature to explore. Best of all, in spring, it is loaded with wildflowers and soothing sounds of nature from babbling brooks to chirping insects.


-The trailhead is about a 30 min. (beautiful) drive up a the mountain toward Lake Tahoe from South Reno

-Stroller/kid/wheelchair/dog friendly
-Fairly flat
-1.3 mile loop, 49 Feet Elevation Gain
-Restrooms available seasonally
-Partial Shade
-good for snowshoeing and cross country skiing in the winter (may need chains when driving up to get up the mountain depending on weather. check weather and road cameras before making a trip out)
-AllTrails App is great for information, directions, and reviews
-when weather is wet, paths get muddy

Getting There:

The parking lot is in the beginning part of a long stretch(to the left) past the Mt. Rose Summit Trail parking lot. If gates are open, drive downhill until you see restrooms.

Tahoe Meadows trail is best enjoyed from May until October (snow accumulation in the winter makes getting around difficult). For those looking for more intense hikes, Mt. Rose Summit Trail (10.7miles) is a little ways back toward Reno(a few min. to the parking lot) and has been described as beautiful and worth the effort and time.

Reccomended Gear
-Sunscreen (after trying so many options, this is my family's favorite)
-Water Bottle (definitely a must in Reno's dry climate)
-Portable potty Liners (priceless gadget that makes any hike with kids a breeze)
-hiking backpack (great view for kids, storage, nap friendly, shade)
-carrier (more afordable, light weight, shade, storage for keys)

*As an Amazon associate I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.



Categorized under "Family Friendly Hikes"