This guide features 20 stops with activities ranging from a wildlife viewing to a short hike. Each stop has information about the natural history of the area including wildflowers, animals, geology, and human history.
The trail follows the easiest route up to McClellan Peak and then down to Virginia City. The roads near the gravel pit and Jumbo Grade are well maintained but other sections can be rough and rocky. The trail is passable with a 4WD high-clearance vehicle. The trail follows city streets in Virginia City. Please use care on the steep and narrow streets — they can be very busy in the summer.
The Google Earth App will show your location on the trail, helping you to navigate the multitude of roads and trails in the area.
Before you start the journey up to Virginia City, you may want to check out some of the wildlife habitats within Washoe Lake State Park.
Contribute your wildlife observations along the trail through iNaturalist (Android App, iPhone app).
This trail passes through both private and public lands, along with sensitive habitats for rare species. Please stay on the established roads and trails to keep this route open to the public.
The trail is 14.5 miles long. It takes about 45 to 60 minutes to drive the route with no stops. Plan an additional 2 to 3 hours to explore all of the stops. There are no restrooms or potable water along the route.
