Washoe Lake Meditations
Walking to the new wildlife observation platform at the south end of Washoe Lake State Park
View of the lake from the elevated platform
Playing in the sand at Washoe Lake State Park
Even during this time of year, when it can get a little cold, I like to sit and enjoy the magnificent views at Washoe Lake State Park.
To the northwest is Slide Mountain, a 9,600-foot slope with pine-covered sides and a distinctive half-face dusted with snow. To the east is the Virginia Range, which contain drier, more barren and smaller mountains.
All around me is Washoe Lake, a remnant of a prehistoric inland sea that once covered most of Northern Nevada. From where I’m sitting, I can see the reflection of Slide Mountain in the placid lake waters.
The native Washoe Indians once gave Slide Mountain a name that roughly translates as “mountain that falls down on itself.” About once every century–the last time was in 1983–Slide Mountain releases a wave of mud and rocks.
In fact, in the mid-19th century, humorist Mark Twain wrote about a fictitious legal battle between two ranchers–one wanted his house returned to him after a slide had deposited it on top of his neighbor’s dwelling.
Washoe State Park was created in 1977 to preserve the valley’s natural assets and provide a place for water sports enthusiasts. The park encompasses 8,053 acres and sits at an elevation of about 5,000 feet.
At the Main Area Campground in the center of the park (accessed from Lake Boulevard), Washoe Lake State Park has 49 campsites available on a first-come, first-serve basis. There is also an RV dump station, boat ramps, flush toilets, showers, drinking water, hiking trails, and picnic tables.
The park can accommodate tents or self-contained RVs (up to 45 feet in length) and has 10 RV pull-throughs. There are, however, no hookups for the RVs.
A one-third mile trail from the Main Area Campground winds through sand dunes and leads to the lake. Smaller, undeveloped trails lead around the lake.
A recent addition to the park is a raised, wooden viewing platform and interpretive displays adjacent to the wetlands at the south edge of the park. You’ll also find a coin-operated telescope on the platform, which allows you to scan the marsh looking for various birds and wildlife.
The displays point out that the marsh at the south end of the lake is popular with a variety of waterfowl, which you can occasionally spot, including cranes and herons.
Washoe Lake State Park is located 10 miles north of Carson City and 15 miles south of Reno via U.S. 395. It is open all year.
Admission to the park is $4 per person; $12 per night for a campsite. For park information, call 775-687-4319.—Richard Moreno
