Looking for an epic hike that isn't too far from Reno? Look no further than Mount Rose! To find the trailhead, head up the Mount Rose Highway and once you reach near the top, you'll notice a decent sized parking lot off to the side of the Highway. The trailhead begins behind the bathrooms. This hike is slightly deceptive because for the first half (2.5 or so miles), it's relatively flat. I mean, you're definitely going upwards but you barely notice it (at least I didn't). Once you reach the waterfall (the unofficial halfway point), that's where things begin to get a bit more interesting. The scenery gets better and better, but the incline in the trail will get far more noticeable not just due to steepness, but due to the elevation as well. Many people were turning around as my friend and I continued going. In no way is this a difficult hike, however, it's definitely not easy either. If you're out of shape or have any medical problems, this may not be the hike for you. There's plenty of other gorgeous hikes in the area that would be more suitable. But if you think you can tackle the 10,778 foot Mountain, by all means give it a go. The hike is just shy of 11 miles round trip. Once at the summit, you'll have an amazing 360 view with Lake Tahoe on one side and Reno on the other. It makes for some amazing pano shots. read more

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Okay, I am going to probably get a lot of hate from giving this hike 3 stars instead of 4 or 5 stars which seems to be the norm in terms of reviews. When I go on hikes, I prefer it to be flat, scenic and with pretty meadows. I was not expecting it to be quite scary actually as my husband reassured me that this hike was easy and flat; he was wrong trust me. The beginning of the hike was a steep uphill climb that was full of sand and dirt. Combined with the intense heat and the uneven rocks, I was already getting a shortness of breath when we climbed the uphill. My skin also got a burning sensation even though I slaughtered on sunscreen before the hike. I looked up the UV index on my phone and it was at level 11; wow, no wonder why I felt like I was burning! Thankfully, I brought some sunscreen with me so I started applying it to my face and skin again. The heat was also so intense that my hair started sticking to the back of my neck. Anyways, we continued our climb and when we reached the top, my heart started racing as I noticed we were a good 9000 feet up in the air and the trail was so thin and narrow that my husband and I had to make a single file line just to walk on it. I remember throughout the entire hike, I had to look down because the rocks were so uneven (trust me, they were everywhere) because I didn't want to fall and hurt myself. Another thing about being so high up, we encountered wind storms that constantly blew up dirt and sand on our faces; talk about feeling super dirty and gross! The sand and dirt got all over my clothes, skin and hair. Needless to say, I was not enjoying myself and I kept wishing we were lying on the beach instead listening to quiet waves and sunbathing. After a good 2 and a half mile hike, we finally reached the waterfall and relaxed. The waterfall was gorgeous and there were cute chipmunks too; this is why I gave my review three stars; this was the one good thing about our hike. When we got home that night, I scrubbed my face clean and washed my hair twice too. For avid hikers like my husband, this hike will be enjoyable as for me however, I will take a pass for next time. read more

Mt Rose Hike - Mount Rose waterfall - Hiking Near Me - Incline Village, Nevada

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Mt Rose Hike is an awesome place to get out and enjoy THE NATURE! Whatever the nature is haha! No, but really it is a great hike even if you go a short distance. I will say this location is about 8000 feet so you will be sucking some air. For you people who are not use to being in such high elevation you will feel it for sure. I know I do and I have lived in Reno for almost 20 years. So if you feel like a good cardio workout this is the place to go. The trees and scenery is amazing. Certain spots of the hike you will get grea vantage points over looking beautiful Lake Tahoe. I would really recommend trying to get to one of these vantage points to see these views. Its worth the trek. Parking can be hit or miss depending on what time of year you go. It can be super busy during the winter time and summer time because people like coming up here. I guess we need to stop sharing these great locations to everyone haha jk. I highly recommend this hike. Have fun and thanks for reading my review. read more

We did the hike last weekend, and other yelpers have done a great job of describing the hike details. There are only a couple of points to make First, I have never, ever seen so many dogs on a trail. Quite simply, this is a hike that people with dogs enjoy, and it is important to note that there was no physical evidence, read 'droppings' to indicate that dogs were on the trail. These people clearly clean up any messes their dogs make, and it was appreciated. Second, it was very busy on Sunday we went. The people I was with compared it to the crowd associated with Mt. Whitney. I can't compare, but that seems significant. I can tell you that when we got there the ample parking lot only had room for three cars, and I nabbed one of those spots. I would strongly suspect that weekdays are not nearly as crowded. Third, there are runners that use this trail to train on. So, enjoy the hike, prepare for dogs, and watch for runners. read more

This trail can be semi-intense, but it is sooo worth it! The first 2.5-3.0 miles or so are relatively flat. Once you hit the light, trickling waterfall, beware: steep inclines are to come. This is one of my favorite trails to complete at least once per year. I love to start around 9:30am then have a picnic at the top of the mountain before making the climb down. I would say that most people in okay physical health can do this hike, but it may take a while. The last half mile is the hardest in my opinion because the air is much thinner, plants don't even grow up there! It is worth noting that you should always follow the signs for the "Mt. Rose Summit" otherwise, you may end up on some other nearby mountain. Regardless which path you take, the views are pretty great. From the top, you can see Reno, Carson City, Lake Tahoe, and some other reservoirs. It is absolutely breathtaking and so worth the hike. read more

Amazing hike, with incredible views along the way. I read in another review that this could be broke up into two hikes. One to the Waterfall and another to the summit. The two and half miles to the Waterfall's is fairly easy with level for the most part. With plenty of shade on the lower part of the hike. After the Waterfall it becomes more challenging but very doable. And the views at the summit are so worth it. I'd highly recommend this hike, loved it. read more

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Darn me for thinking I could hike this trail with running shoes! Hey now, it was a very last minute idea. This place is great for snowshoeing. We saw lots a folks with their snowboards too! Restrooms are closed during winter. read more

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I did this hike in early October so it was pretty cold and windy with some random ice in some water streams. It's a decent hike that'll take you about 4-5 hours. It sort of isn't clear where the summit of Mt. Rose is--I ended up following signs to a different peak (which added 1.5 miles) to get a good view of Lake Tahoe (was this actually the top of Mt. Rose? Who knows). Even then though, the view wasn't that majestic (compared to other views I've had of Tahoe) and the "summit" wasn't well defined. I wish there was a big sign that said you're at the summit of something that also states the elevation. I like it when the tops of mountains have wind shelters too. So, this is a definitely a moderate difficulty hike worth doing once, but honestly I wasn't that impressed. We should've done Mt. Tallac instead! Oh well, can't complain about getting good exercise on a nice Saturday morning. read more

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With nearly double the amount of snow this year in Lake Tahoe region we were lucky enough to snowshoe here! Stunning! Too bad it was foggy we couldn't see the lake. read more

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Destination Difficulty Mileage (One Way) 6 miles Elevation 8700'/10778' Directions to the trailhead Take Highway 431 (Mt. Rose Highway) north of Incline Village. Park at the trailhead located one mile south of the summit. Access Follow a dirt road for three miles through a lodgepole cloaked forest interspersed with mule ears and sagebrush. In the spring, a lush meadow at the halfway point is filled with lupine, paintbrush, and larkspur. The last two miles follow slippery switchbacks to the ridge line. Attractions and Considerations Mt. Rose (10,778'), one of the highest peaks near Lake Tahoe, offers excellent views of the lake, the city of Reno and the surrounding area. Write your name in the log book located at the summit to show the world you made it! _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Ok so now for my review; This is the 3rd highest peak in Tahoe. It is next to, looking down and over Mt Rose ski resort, the Reno valley and Lake Tahoe. This is a challenging hike that I did in about 4 1/2 hours, but you can definately make it longer. Once at the top, at 10, 778 ft, there are just the most incredible views! Totally worth the huffing and puffing of hiking at that altitude. There is a great trailhead at the top of 431 up north of Incline Village with restrooms and educational boards all over. ( It also doubles as a mini snow park here in the winter. )So you can't miss it! It also is part of the Tahoe Rim trail until you split off to go up Mt Rose. Strenuous hike? yes,, worth it? yes,...highly recommend it? DEFINATELY! read more

Mt Rose Hike - This is the view in the beginning - Hiking Near Me - Incline Village, Nevada

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Good Gawd almighty.. if there is a climb worthwile it is this one.. Yes, it is 5 miles one way, upwards at a steep and often uncomfortable incline.. Yes, there is less oxygen at 8,900 - 10,776 feet of altitude...Yes, there are parts of the trail that if you don't leave early enough or take enough water, might leave you parched to death.. But for me, all the efforts seemed miniscule upon that last footstep which took me to the highest point of Mt Rose.. The 10,776 ft altitude summit views were incomparably breathtaking. read more

The hike to the waterfall is about 2 miles and it almost nearly flat, perfect for families. Expect to see snow *on trail* in late May or June, even in the lower sections depending on the year. Typically in June you'll see an abundance of wildflowers (by Nevada standards) and have sections of water crossing (very shallow streams) after the waterfalls (you'll probably not get your shoe upper wet if navigated carefully). At the summit on a clear day you can see as far as Mt Shasta. You are more likely to see Stampede. Oh, and of course the sweeping view of Tahoe. :) read more

We had such a great time there. The trail is dog friendly and kid friendly. The slopes were of the right angles for sledding or just climbing up and down. We will visit again. read more

Mt Rose Hike - Snow dog enjoying snow - Hiking Near Me - Incline Village, Nevada

This trail is beautiful and offers something for everyone. The first 2.5 miles are flat, go through some awesome terrain, and lead you to a small waterfall. Even if you're not the active type- do this section. It's incredibly easy and beautiful. The next 2.5 miles get a lot harder. There are sections that are directly exposed and have a serious incline. The last mile is relentlessly uphill... but so worth it! The views of Tahoe and Reno are awesome. Even on a smoky and low-visibility day you could see as far as Donner. Bring jackets because it can get chilly up at 10,776 ft and don't forget yo' water! read more

Whew, this was no easy hike! I came here with a group of friends during the first weekend of June 2013. The total mileage from trail head to summit is 6 miles, one way. The first section of the hike is pretty flat and nicely shaded as we walked through the trees. There aren't really any signs or markings along the way, so we just followed the beaten path and asked other hikers for directions. Along the way, there were still patches of snow, and you know what that means... SNOWBALL FIGHTS! About a third of the way up, there's a really pretty waterfall - great resting area for pictures, picnic, rehydration, maybe even a quick power nap? This is a great hike by itself, and I would recommend for beginners to consider calling this a stopping point. The rest of the trail is definitely challenging. The next part of the trail is way steeper and more strenuous! There isn't much shade, and the summer sun makes it more difficult. My friend and I found a couple of giant makeshift walking sticks along the way, which came in handy later. The last 1 mile is definitely the hardest part. It is a STEEP steep climb to the top with no shade whatsoever. But boy, oh boy, the view was absolutely amazing. I have never seen Lake Tahoe from that high of a peak before. Awesome photo-ops so you can show proof to your friends that you conquered the world! Definitely worth the hike! Advice for future hikers: Bring LOTS of water! I would recommend bringing a camelback or bottles of frozen water/gatorade, and pack your bags with snacks such as granola bars, trail mix, apple slices for quick energizers. My friends and I brought two bottles of water each, and we all agreed that that was NOT enough. For the beginner hikers, the hike to the waterfall is quite enjoyable by itself. Mt. Rose trail offered great views of Tahoe, snowball fights during the summer, and friendship bonding. Check it out for yourself! read more

Mount Rose is the second tallest peak in Tahoe basin and prominent feature of the northern Lake Tahoe skyline, yet the best adjective to describe the journey to the peak is closer to 'pleasant' than it is to 'challenging' despite the 2,100ft elevation gain. Unfortunately the yelp map locator is a little off for this trail. I've got full details of the trailhead location, full trail map etc over here .. http://www.trailspotting.com/2008/07/mount-rose.html read more

very beautiful hiking trail. i recommend bring the whole family for some outdoor fun! Truly love the abundance of shade from the trees and the cool breeze from the little creek. We also got to see and pet some horses along the trail. read more

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Not sure about during the summer...but this place has the best "FREE" sledding/tubbing in the area....did i mention FREE ? ? ? Parking is all down both sides of the road, so be careful if you have little kids. Some of the drivers are in a rush and watching out for others. read more

My group of friends and I were camping at Mt Rose Campgrounds and wanted to go for a hike after lunch. Gorgeous hike! We hike for about 2 miles and collected some wood for our fire pit during our leisurely hike. Weather was great and it was beautiful out. I would like to try the full hike the next time I'm camping at Mt Rose. read more

Outstanding hike in every respect. Wildflowers, groomed trail, lack of crowds and accomodating temps at 6 a.m., epic views, waterfall and other water access for dogs, and while challenging is quite safe...for the strong hiker, estimated 4+ hour moving time, but will take the less-experienced hiker much longer. Good parking. We tried this hike in late June and were thwarted by snow, but we returned in early August and it was fantastic. read more

This hike is a great example of why I prefer Reno to Las Vegas. You get all the benefits of living in America's last bastion of freedom (guns, gambling, hookers, etc) plus a world class outdoors experience just up the road. Leave your guns at home because they're forbidden here, but take a gamble on spending the day with your favorite hooker hiking MtRose. You won't regret it. read more

Close to Kings Beach, not very intense and you will meet some hardcore country backpackers

The total distance from the start of the trailhead along Highway 431 to the top of the Summit is (I think) about 5 miles. The first half of the trail is rather flat, and even from the start of the hike you can get some good glimpses of the lake down below. About halfway through, there's a neat waterfall that serves as a great place for your group to stop and enjoy your lunch, take pictures, replenish with some fluids, and prepare to tackle on the second half of the hike up to the summit, which is TONS steeper than the first half. It's a tough hike, but if you keep on trekkin' along and remember to take little breaks, it's really doable and the view from up top is so worth it! I just went last weekend and there were still patches of snow along the trail, which made the trail a bit more tricky to navigate through. It was nice, though, because the snow gave off some nice, cool air that felt really refreshing! And if your friends are anything like mine, snow ALWAYS = snowball fights! :) In terms of liquids, I'd recommend bringing at a minimum two bottles of water and a bottle of Gatorade if you're planning on hiking all the way up to the top. If you're looking for a less strenuous hike, you can just hike up to the waterfall and then turn back down from there, too! Tahoe is just gorgeous around this time so I'm giving this trail a solid 4 stars- definitely worth checking out! read more

This is a wonderful little day hike with easy accessibility and rewarding views. The first half of the trail is more or less flat, so the entire elevation gain is in the final 2 and half miles to the summit. Construction of the new trail head and trail to Galena Falls is a big improvement over the old route which involved walking on a dirt road. There are some interesting trees growing just below the summit which appear some type of stunted pine. Once at the top, you are rewarded with great views. The downside is that accessibility makes this a popular hike, and it is hard to get a wilderness feel when you keep seeing other people. Also, there is really just a very brief window of time when the weather is cold enough to make this a comfortable hike yet early enough in the season to avoid lots of snow on the way to the summit. In my mind, that pretty much limits it to October (like many other high Sierra hikes). read more

"On a Clear Day you can see. . ." Leave your car on the Mount Rose highway, and walk to the stars on Mount Rose. If you drive by the trail head and do stop for a least the meadow trail, you are abusing yourself. read more

We did the loop with three kids and loved it. We took the slightly higher trail to the waterfall (2.5 miles) and then a .07 connector to a dirt road that takes you back to the parking lot. The elevation gain is minimal, there are some great views of the lake. read more