Showing posts with label reno trails. Show all posts
Showing posts with label reno trails. Show all posts

Thursday, November 5, 2020

Phillip Annie Callahan Park- A Close Getaway Within Arms Reach


15960 Callahan Road
Reno, NV 89511


Park Ranger Office: (775) 849-2511

Phillip Annie Callahan Park is a beautiful and secret park nestled in a forest next to Mt. Rose Highway.  I stumbled upon this park as I was looking for parks in the south to enjoy in the summer with my family.  I was shocked at how a beautiful park like this could be kept as a secret for so long.  In the 5 years I've been visiting, it's always been low-key and peaceful.  I'm guessing that people probably pass it by and head straight to the nearby, well known Galena Regional Park.  

Although the park is on the small side, with one pavilion, limited paved pathways, two play structures, a couple of pretty decent grass areas, and a sprinkling of picnic tables, it also serves as a great place for endless outdoor activities and adventures.  

There's a creek that lines the park that people of all ages enjoy, especially during hot summers (not a bad alternative to swimming, considering the pandemic).  There are multiple access points throughout the park, making social distancing easy to do. A favorite activity me and my kids love to do is to bring a floating toy (think rubber ducks and toy boats) and release it down the creek for the other to intercept.  During dry winters, the part of the creek next to the playground can dry up.  In this case, start walking on the trail to get to the bigger parts if you're interested in water play.  You can't miss them because they are very inviting, with loud sounds.

Shade is plentiful and there's a short loop trail within the park that beginner hikers can access, with the sounds of the creek playing in the background.  There really is nothing better than having both shade and  a beautiful creek accompanying you throughout a hike.  

To access the short loop, follow past the end of the path into the dirt area.  Keep going until you find a bridge. Turn right onto the bridge (before fence) that points back to Callahan Park.  The trail will end at the parking lot of the trailhead of Galena Creek Trail.  You then walk two min back to the parking lot.  Alternatively, you can branch off onto Galena Creek Trail that leads to even more trails of all levels.  The short loop is simple, short, and sweet.  Me, my two kids (4 &2 yrs old) did it today with no problems at all.

This sweet park is a go-to during hot summers, hiking, bike riding, picnics, and small events.  There are no restrooms next to the playgrounds, but a porta-potty can be found at the trailhead of Galena Creek Trail, which is about a two-min. walk back toward Mt. Rose on the left.  For adults this is not a problem but for kids, it could be a different story.  For this reason, I like to keep my portable toilet with liners in my car for when my little ones need relief.  This allows us to enjoy the park without having to worry about leaving for potty breaks.

Notes:
-Beautiful with golden foliage during fall
-Great shade during summers
-no restrooms on site but porta potty two min. away 
-Small play structure is shaded. Big one is partially shaded. Swings for both big and small children available
-wildflowers in spring
-birds and other wildlife 
-ideal for picnics
-ideal for photo shoots
-there's a short paved path that slopes downward that my kids love riding down on their plasma cars and bikes
-horse and dog friendly. Poop bags available.
-mountain biking paths
-horseshoe pits
-Pavilion is non-reservable . BBQ pit available.
-water fountain and benches 
-Brown's Creek Loop is a beautiful longer hike nearby
-download the All Trails app for detailed reviews, trail information, photos, directions. Look up Galena Creek Trail.  The app also navigates you so you don't get lost.
-great for photography 
-kids love throwing piles of leaves into the air. Educational opportunity to teach them about seasons and the water cycle.

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.


Monday, June 15, 2020

Brown's Creek Loop Trail- A Hike with some Breathtaking Views


3584-3694 Joy Lake Road
Reno, NV 89511
I'm always looking for hikes close to Reno that are beautiful and because the kids were getting a little more skillful and interested in hikes, I decided to test the limits and try to do a hike that was a little longer.  Usually, we do 2-mile hikes and 4.8 miles isn't exactly an ideal distance to go on with a 5, 6, and 1-year-old, but if there's one thing I learned (esp. during these uncertain times), it's that humans are capable of so much.

With the help of a few tools (hiking backpack, carrier, and portable potty + Liners), we set off to what ended up being one of the most beautiful, challenging and rewarding hikes.  The trail was filled with so many stunning views and different terrains.  Going through the Galena forest and crossing tranquil Brown's creek was so refreshing.  I would encourage everyone to go on this hike.

The first part of the hike before you get to the loop is through the woods with a gentle upward slope (about 1 mile).  You will come to the 1st fork, which is worth stopping at- The Vista (only a couple of min away).  There you'll find a bench, an amazing view, and an educational sign of a former family attraction named Sundown Town.  The 2nd fork is the start of the loop (not far from the vista).  If  you take the left side, you will be going down the steeper side of the loop.  Go right if you want more of a challenge.

There are 3 small bridges that cross the creek.  We stopped at the first creek so the kids could wet their feet and have some fun.  It was very nice, since there were trees all around to help supply shade. You will cross a 2nd bridge before you get to the third fork.  We took the wrong turn at the 3rd fork and went straight into the "National Forest" (the sign for the loop was a little ways up with back of sign facing us) and ended up going up another 1.5 miles. This trail was nice and challenging and we ran into lots of people on mountain bikes.  When we realized we were lost, we went back to the fork and found the sign.  Instead of going straight, go upward and to the right to stay on track.  After the 3rd fork, we crossed the 3rd bridge and made our way back to the parking lot.  

My 5-year-old surprised me and walked the whole trail.  My 4-year-old got tired at the 5-mile mark, at which point I carried him with a carrier.  My 1-year-old took naps and enjoyed the views the whole time in the hiking backpack.  At the end, we did a total of 8.5 miles.  It was the most empowering and rewarding  journey we had done as a family.  We met a lot of cool dogs, saw a lot of wildflowers, and met a ton of nice people who stepped to the side for us. 

Notes:
*Dogs, horses, cyclists allowed
*Enter the Galena estates to get to trail entrance parking lot (on left) on Joy Lake Road
*The trail entrance is across the street a little way up from the parking lot going back toward entrance to Galena Estates
*Bring lots of water
*If hiking with kids, pack lots of snacks.  We also packed a portable toilet for the kids and lots of sunscreen and hand sanitizer. 
*There is plenty of shade throughout the hike, but there is also exposed areas.
*have your phone handy for emergencies
*if you download AllTrails, you can bring up their trail maps and track your location at all times with respect to highlighted trail (Next time, I won't forget to hike without it.)
*Both me and my daughter tripped on some rocks and got scrapes.  Next time I will bring alcohol pads and bandages.
*trail is rocky so good footwear is recommended
*I saw a good amount of people with hiking poles, but you definitely can do without them   
*Lots of vegetation, lizards, and insects to look at
*Around the loop is about 2.3 miles.  The total mileage of Brown's Creek Trail is 4.8 miles.
*Spring and early summer wildflowers

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.  The products I suggest are products I use myself. 

 Pick right side for more of a challenge to go up steep left side at end of loop. Left side to go down steeper side.

Tuesday, March 31, 2020

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



Click Here for map of trails

Location:
6000 Bartley Ranch Road, Reno, NV 89511

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

Bartley Ranch is a unique park with a western feel and is easily one of my favorite parks in Reno.  

It's a park filled with a variety of terrains laid out across 56 acres and is ideal for: picnics, a nice stroll, viewing wildlife, walking pets, holding special events (parties, concerts, weddings, exercise, and taking a step back in history.  

Old vintage tractors and wooden shacks lay across the land, making for a historic experience.  I could imagine how life was like back in the day, just by looking at all the historical machinery.  Horse tracks along the trails added to the experience.  

There's a beautiful Western Heritage Interpretive Center along with a vintage Huffaker School and amphitheater that you can rent out for special occasions.  There are pamphlets in front of the interpretive center where you can find more information about the park and its animals and plants.

Coming from the south, there's a lookout right before going down the hill and turning into the ranch, where you can find great views.  From high above you will see a white picket fence in the shape of Nevada, runners running along the slopes, people walking their dogs, and people sitting on the benches to soak it all in.

I love how within just 30 minutes, I could see lots of wildlife and experience different terrains.  During my short walk, I walked through a short and cute nature trail where I came across a little bridge, and up a short hill was met up with a wooden walkway against some cool mountainous hills and a downward zigzag trail looping back to the ranch.  

This park is charming and I can't wait to check out a concert at the amphitheater, explore the buildings inside, have a BBQ picnic, and finish the long trail that loops all around the ranch.

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.

Activities: BBQ/Picnicking,  Come in from the Cold,  Horseback Riding,  Hiking/Walking,  Junior Ranger Program,  Photography,  Biking
 
Facilities: Flying B Pavilion,  Huffaker Pavilion,  Last Chance Pavilion,  Plaza Pavilion,  Huffaker School,  Western Heritage Interpretive Center,  Brick House,  Robert Z Hawkins Amphitheater,  Horse Arenas





Bartley Ranch in Fall


Park at Audrey Harris Park for lookout.


Photography
©Katherine Fung