By Charlie Pankey, Sierra Rec Magazine
For more than a decade, Carson Valley has been home base for Sierra Rec Magazine — the place where our adventures begin and where we always return. It’s where the open spaces meet the Sierra front, where trails climb into the Pine Nut Mountains, and where small-town festivals keep community life vibrant all year long.
This week on the Sierra Rec Now Podcast, I sat down with Keith Lewis, Director of Visit Carson Valley, and Josh Rudelbach, a local endurance runner and community voice, to talk about fall in the Carson Valley — a season defined by golden trails, the scent of sagebrush after a storm, and the sound of laughter drifting down Main Street during one of the valley’s signature events.
A Valley Built for Adventure
Carson Valley sits just below the Sierra crest — close enough to touch Tahoe’s snow line, but far enough to stretch out beneath wide blue skies. For the outdoor-minded, that means you can hike, bike, run, or ride year-round.
“We’ve got a trail system here that’s second to none,” Keith told me early in our conversation. “You can walk right out your door and hit BLM land or loop around Genoa. The trails the Carson Valley Trails Association has built are incredible.”
That’s a sentiment we share deeply at Sierra Rec. Over 11 years of stories, we’ve explored those same trails — from the Sierra Canyon Trail to the Genoa Loop — and every fall, we’re reminded why this valley feels like home.
Keith recently spent his birthday on the Genoa Loop, “hitting the waterfall and coming down Sierra Canyon into town,” he said. “I even stopped into the Genoa Bar for a little refreshment after eight miles on the trail. The colors were amazing — it’s a great day hike right now.”
Josh, who joined Visit Carson Valley this year, sees the landscape through both a creative and athletic lens. Known locally for his drone photography and endurance running, he’s been capturing the changing light and colors across the valley. “If the light’s good this week,” he said, “I’m taking the drone up over Indian Hills — those fall colors are popping right now.”
Fall Festivals and Small-Town Spirit
While most people think of Carson Valley as a quiet gateway to Lake Tahoe or Yosemite, locals know that autumn is one of the liveliest times of year here.
“Main Street Gardnerville had one of the biggest crowds ever for the Coffin Races,” Keith shared. “The Carson Valley Swim Center actually won this year — it was a great community event.”
The fall festival lineup continues with the Dia de los Muertos celebration on November 1st, which coincides with Nevada Day weekend. “You can do both in one day,” Josh said. “Catch the Nevada Day Parade in Carson City, then come down to Gardnerville for food, music, and the festival — it’s the best of both worlds.”
As Keith added, “The food vendors are amazing, and the entertainment is great. It’s one of those events where you realize how strong our local culture really is.”
The Ferris Fifty: Carson Valley’s First Endurance Race
But perhaps the biggest new story in Carson Valley this fall is the Ferris Fifty Endurance Run, taking place November 8, 2025.
For years, Visit Carson Valley has been a champion of outdoor recreation and trails. Now, with Josh’s background in endurance sports, they’ve stepped into event creation — launching a race that not only celebrates athleticism but also the unique terrain of the Pine Nut Mountains.
“We wanted something that could draw visitors during the shoulder season,” Keith explained. “November is intentional — it’s a quieter month here, and we wanted to create an event that keeps people coming back.”
So far, the response has been strong. “We’ve got 73 racers signed up already, and we might hit 100,” Keith said. “There’s a 50-mile, a 50K, and a 15K course — all starting at the Douglas County Fairgrounds and finishing at TJ’s Corral.”
Josh designed the route himself: “It’s 50 unique miles,” he said proudly. “No loops. We wanted runners to see new terrain the whole way. You’ll start up Pine Nut Road, hit the Pinyon Trail, then loop through the foothills of the Pine Nuts and up over Hot Springs Mountain for sweeping views of the Carson Valley.”
He also designed the course to have a net elevation loss, something rarely found in mountain races. “It’s not flat,” Josh laughed, “but it’s a true downhill race overall — a unique challenge in the endurance world.”
And with that kind of terrain, runners might share the course with wild horses. “They’ll be out there,” I told him. “You’ll be running right through their range.”
Keith agreed. “That’s part of what makes this special — it’s pure Carson Valley. It’s wild, it’s open, it’s ours.”
Community at the Core
The Ferris Fifty isn’t just about running; it’s a community effort. “We’ve got nine aid stations staffed by local organizations,” Keith said. “Groups like the Carson Valley Trails Association, Pine Nut Mountains Trail Association, and the Nevada Off-Road Association have been with us from day one.”
He added, “We could always use more volunteers. Even if you’re not running, come out to TJ’s Corral and cheer. That energy makes a difference.”
And for longtime locals like us, it’s rewarding to see how this kind of event ties together so many of the themes we’ve covered for over a decade — community, conservation, and recreation.
Fall in the Valley: A Local’s View
When I asked Keith and Josh about their favorite fall traditions, both smiled. “Corley Ranch is always a must,” Keith said. “Pumpkin picking, the corn cannon — it’s just a good time. You can’t leave there without a smile.”
As winter nears, the town transforms again. “Don’t miss Carson Valley Christmas,” Keith added. “The tree lighting on December 6th, the parade, breakfast with Santa in Genoa — it’s all pure small-town joy.”
And if you’re a golfer, Keith says the season’s not over yet. “Golf in the Carson Valley right now is amazing. The colors, the weather — it’s perfect.”
Why Carson Valley Remains Our Home Base
For eleven years, Carson Valley has been the quiet foundation beneath Sierra Rec Magazine. It’s where our stories are written, where trails are tested, and where we return after long days exploring the Sierra.
We’re proud to have Visit Carson Valley as both a sponsor and partner, helping us share the spirit of this region through our magazine, podcast, and video stories.
As Keith put it perfectly: “You’ve got to love where you live to promote it.”
We couldn’t agree more.
Plan Your Visit
Ready to experience Carson Valley this fall?
Watch our upcoming Ferris Fifty feature video (coming soon!) and check out the official event page for race registration, volunteer signups, and visitor info.
👉 [Register for the Ferris Fifty Endurance Run
For more on Carson Valley trails, fall festivals, and year-round adventures, visit VisitCarsonValley.org and explore all that our home base has to offer.
