Carson Valley NV, July 20, 2022 – How often do we finish work for the day and just sink into routine at home that is unfulfilling? For me it is way to often based on my proximity to the mountains and the wonders and peace that it holds for me in my life. Yesterday my wife had an event scheduled at the house, it was a ladies event, so i was not required to leave but I was not welcome to attend.. Haha. That gave me the needed bump to grab my pack, grab some grub and grab the dog for a night in the mountains.

Living in the Carson Valley gives me options.

  • I could simply head to one of the sets of trail systems here in the Carson Valley that take willing hikers into the base of the Carson range. the Genoa trail system is one of my favorite evening hiking areas.
  • I could head up HWY 50 to Spooner summit for several hiking and lake options on Tahoe’s east shore. You cant go wrong hiking down to a private rock beach on the east shore for a dip in Lake Tahoe.
  • I could head southwest on Hwy 88 into Hope Valley the carson pass etc.
  • Or I could venture out past Markleville for some untamed wilderness experience on Ebbett’s pass.

For tonight I wanted to sit by a lake and paly with Dakota our 10 year old lab. So we chose to drive 45 minutes up into the mountain to Silver Lake of Hwy 88. what a great evening to be in the mountains. As we played fetch in the lake we watched fisherman catch fish from the shore, kayakers easy there way across the lake and watched as several birds of prey were fishing the lake waters as the sun crept lower in the western sky.

After cooking up a meal and playing fetch for about an hour, we decided to walk down toward the Pot Holes and enjoy a little river rock hoping. Dakota is not really a fan of rock hoping, but she enjoys running in the trees and chasing the wild smells of the forest. Soon it was time to head back home.

Along the drive we took time to morn the lose of some great forest between silver Lake and Kirkwood from the Caldor Fire. Then took an incredible chance opportunity to stop in Hope Valley for sunset and some crazy sunlight images along river and through the trees,

Sunset through the trees in Hope Valley
A beaver has been busy in hope valley creating this little pond and great evening light picture.

Over all a great evening in the mountains. I love living int he Carson valley for just this reason. big enough community to find all the services we like, but close enough to the mountains that with a short 20-40 minute drive i can find so many mountain adventures or short evening get away.