Most of the land around the Mt Rose Wilderness is privately owned and access is not always available. This is the case with the Hunter Creek Trail. Currently the Forest Service has no right-of-way agreement for access to this trailhead. The description for access given here utilizes previously established access to another trail, the Steamboat Ditch Trail.

TRAILHEAD: Elevation 5000ft, highest point 6000ft/use June to heavy snow/difficulty Moderate to Strenuous/2.5 miles, one way. Take Hwy 395 north to Hwy 80. Head west on Hwy 80 to the W. McCarren exit. Go south (left) on W. McCarren to Mayberry Drive which will be the first street after you cross over the Truckee River. Go west (right) on Mayberry to Plateau (Juniper Heights subdivision) which will go up the hill to the south (left). Go left on Plateau up the hill and look for Mountaingate on your right. Turn right on Mountaingate and look for a pull out area with chain-link fences surrounding the confluence of two irrigation ditches. Park here. The Steamboat Ditch trail is accessed around the north end (your right as you face the fences) while you need to make your way around the south side of the fences. You need to be on the road, on the far side of the fences and south of the irrigation ditch. Follow the road around and up the canyon, across Hunter Creek and finally to the trailhead.

About the Trail: A very hot hike in summer, you travel up a stark, steep sided canyon, for the first 1 & 1/2 miles. You'll climb steeply to a ridge, pass over and down a rocky slope and enter a forest. From here the trail becomes difficult to distinguish at times. Just continue making your way upward, not leaving the creek to far. You'll have to do a bit of path finding, ducking under branches and climbing over logs. There are a couple of small creeks which flow into Hunter Creek from the west. You'll finally hear the roar of a waterfall. To get to trails end, stay on the west side of the creek and travel up the very steep, pine needle covered slope. At the end of the trail you'll see a small, picturesque meadow, which is the result of years of beaver activity.

Be sure to bring lots of drinking water! Beautiful views don't forget your camera. On all trails always walk single file, and don't cut across switch backs, to keep trails narrow and wild. Don't litter, Leave No Trace!

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

Carson Ranger District, 1536 S Carson Street, Carson City, Nv 89701 (775)882-2766

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