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Mt Rose - 2 members in 5 triplogs have rated this an average 5 ( 1 to 5 best )
5 triplogs
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Aug 24 2023
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 Guides 99
 Routes 1,484
 Photos 16,072
 Triplogs 1,374

male
 Joined Jan 07 2017
 Fountain Hills,
Mount Rose - Washoe COHP, NV 
Mount Rose - Washoe COHP, NV
 
Hiking avatar Aug 24 2023
DixieFlyerTriplogs 1,374
Hiking10.94 Miles 2,375 AEG
Hiking10.94 Miles   5 Hrs   22 Mns   2.32 mph
2,375 ft AEG      39 Mns Break
 
1st trip
Partners none no partners
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
This hike was to the summit of Mount Rose (elevation of 10,776 feet and prominence of 3,630 feet), the highpoint of Washoe County. Washoe County is in northwest Nevada; Reno is the county seat.

Mount Rose is between Reno and Lake Tahoe, and it is in the eastern part of the Sierra Nevada range. Mount Rose gets more snow than most peaks in Nevada.

I started and ended the hike at the Mount Rose Trailhead, which is at a pass on Highway 431, which runs between Reno and Lake Tahoe. This is the highest pass in the Sierra Nevada that is open year round.

The first 2.5 miles of the hike are on a very nice hard-packed dirt trail with very little rock or tree roots on it. There were lots of trees in this section so it was nicely shaded.

After 2.5 miles I came to Galena Creek Falls, which was flowing nicely. From there I went across a meadow that had some nice wildflowers, including lupine that was 5-6 feet high.

Once past the meadow the meat of the hike began and the trail got steeper, gaining about 725 feet per mile over a couple of miles. This was about half the rate of ascent compared to some hikes that I have done lately, so I didn't think that it was too bad. The tread on the trail continued to be good, although there were a couple of rocky sections.

Views at the summit were really nice, so I hung out there for a while. There were great views of Lake Tahoe and the snow capped peaks to the west of the lake.

I had the summit to myself for a bit, and one other guy came up there and we talked for a while. Once I left, I met quite a few people on their way up. Some of them were really struggling, so I doubt if all of them made it to the summit. I imagine that this trail would be crowded on weekends, so I was glad to have ascended on a Thursday.

Synopsis
This hike checks a lot of boxes for me: nice trails to hike on; prolific wildflowers; creek crossings; a waterfall; awesome scenery; amazing summit views; a peak; and a county highpoint. Accordingly, this one is a 5-star hike as far as I am concerned!
wildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observation
Wildflowers Observation Moderate
Wildflowers were prolific in some areas, and were nonexistent in other areas; so overall I'll call it moderate.

water 1 out of 5water 2 out of 5water 3 out of 5water less than max Galena Creek Medium flow Medium flow
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Civilization is a nice place to visit but I wouldn't want to live there
 
Aug 28 2019
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 Guides 11
 Routes 31
 Photos 1,578
 Triplogs 25

80 male
 Joined Nov 19 2012
 Reno, Nevada
Mt RoseReno, NV
Reno, NV
Hiking avatar Aug 28 2019
AZClaimjumperTriplogs 25
Hiking10.90 Miles 2,447 AEG
Hiking10.90 Miles   9 Hrs      1.36 mph
2,447 ft AEG   1 Hour    Break14 LBS Pack
 
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Check out this Mt Rose weather site to get accurate & current weather conditions on the summit.

It can be gusty/blustery/windy & cold once you get above treeline @10,100' & higher & are completely exposed. Be sure to pack equipment to keep warm & or dry because the weather can change rapidly.

It takes most people between 6-7 hours to get up to the summit & back to the trailhead. Your round trip hike is almost 11 miles.

The indoor toilets at the trailhead seem to be PERMANENTLY fenced off. The alternative is nearby PortaJohns. Bring your own water or something to purify water from numerous water sources on the trail; there is no water source at the trailhead.

Trailhead (8,737'Elevation): Just off Mt Rose Highway aka SR431. Put these co ords into your GPS so it can provide you with turn by turn directions while driving to the trailhead: N39° 18.769' W119° 53.850'

Mt Rose Summit (10,776'): It is an approximate 5.5 miles from trailhead to summit, total elevation gain will be approximately 2,500'. 11-mile hike round trip.

The first 2.4 miles from trailhead to the Waterfall include a mere 250' elevation gain & the trail is mostly tree-canopied with numerous views of Mt Rose. The waterfall is a popular rest area/turnaround spot with plenty of nearby shade trees is here: (N39° 19.566' W119° 55.575').

Apply your mosquito repellent at this point.
A sign will point you in a Northerly direction. You'll be hiking through a mosquito-infested meadow. Trail elevation will gradually increase from 9,000' up to 9,200' at which point you'll start hiking up the tree-covered draw from 9,200'to 9732' which is the saddle, a nice shady place to stop for a nutrition break. This is also a popular turn around spot.

The fun begins after you pass the saddle/rest area, you'll see a sign that tells you Mt Rose summit is another mile up the trail. What it doesn't tell you is that you have another 1,000' of elevation gain ahead to reach the summit. You'll have a mostly tree-covered trail from the saddle/rest area up to 10,050'. Put these co ords into your GPS as a waypoint @10,050' (N39° 20.572' W119° 55.435'). From this point, you have a mere 1/2 mile of trail & another 800' of elevation gain to reach the summit.

You'll top out above treeline at approximately 10,200' elevation at which point you'll be exposed to Mother Nature as you proceed up the trail. Check out my photo set, I have a lot of photos which includes the elevation the photo was taken so you can see exactly how exposed you'll be & what the trail look like.

There were 10s of thousands of butterflies migrating when I was up there last week, all flying about as only butterflies can fly. Once you arrive at the summit there are a couple of nice protected/shelter area when you hunker down behind the rock shelters. There are commanding views in all directions so you'll want your camera to take photos of you being KING OF THE MOUNTAIN.
wildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observation
Wildflowers Observation Substantial
Lupine, Cow Parsnip
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  1 archive
Jul 24 2015
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 Photos 147
 Triplogs 43

50 female
 Joined Jul 08 2015
 85206
Mt RoseReno, NV
Reno, NV
Hiking avatar Jul 24 2015
hikerchicaTriplogs 43
Hiking10.00 Miles 2,447 AEG
Hiking10.00 Miles   2 Hrs   48 Mns   3.57 mph
2,447 ft AEG
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Beautiful hike with beautiful views from the top! Easy hike for the first 3.5 or so miles. The uphill really begins about the last 1.25 miles.
 Named place
 Named place [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Lake Tahoe
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Aug 26 2011
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 Guides 177
 Routes 249
 Photos 10,213
 Triplogs 2,215

74 male
 Joined Feb 12 2002
 Gold Canyon, AZ
Mt RoseReno, NV
Reno, NV
Hiking avatar Aug 26 2011
AZLOT69Triplogs 2,215
Hiking11.00 Miles 2,447 AEG
Hiking11.00 Miles   5 Hrs      2.20 mph
2,447 ft AEG
 
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Nice day, cool temps, few others around.
wildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observation
Wildflowers Observation Extreme
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It's best for a man to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open his mouth and remove all doubt.
--Mark Twain
 
Sep 16 2009
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 Guides 177
 Routes 249
 Photos 10,213
 Triplogs 2,215

74 male
 Joined Feb 12 2002
 Gold Canyon, AZ
Mt RoseReno, NV
Reno, NV
Hiking avatar Sep 16 2009
AZLOT69Triplogs 2,215
Hiking10.75 Miles 2,447 AEG
Hiking10.75 Miles   5 Hrs      2.15 mph
2,447 ft AEG
 
Linked   linked  
Partners none no partners
A great late summer hike. It was not the best day for photos so I will have to return. Weather was changable, quick storm came up then cleared out and so did I. When I got back to the TH it looked awful at the peak and I saw so many people heading up there ill equipped.
 Geology
 Geology [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Granite
wildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observation
Wildflowers Observation Light
_____________________
It's best for a man to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open his mouth and remove all doubt.
--Mark Twain
 
average hiking speed 2.01 mph

WARNING! Hiking and outdoor related sports can be dangerous. Be responsible and prepare for the trip. Study the area you are entering and plan accordingly. Dress for the current and unexpected weather changes. Take plenty of water. Never go alone. Make an itinerary with your plan(s), route(s), destination(s) and expected return time. Give your itinerary to trusted family and/or friends.

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