Ash Canyon

While the inaugural Epic Rides Carson City Off-Road mountain bike race series may have been a boon to the local economy, some downtown businesses struggled to stay out of the red last weekend because of what they felt were excessive road closures for the first-time event.

When their boys were little, Brian and Katie McRae would pull them along in trailers behind their bikes before upgrading to a tagalong. When the boys outgrew that, Brian would wrap a rubber tube around their bike stems and tow them behind his own bike.

Three days of thrill-seeking, mountain biking adventure and plenty of capital city hospitality and entertainment will kick off the inaugural Carson City Off-Road Epic Ride series beginning Friday and lasting through the weekend.

Meet on Ash Canyon Road where the bumpy road starts up to the water tanks. We will carpool/caravan to the parking area at the pond.

Always bring water, a hat and use sunscreen. Bring a friend or friendly dogs, both of whom also need water! Recommend buying some hiking poles or any type of adjustable poles for use on the uphill trails.

These hikes will be 2-4 miles in distance with flat and/or uphill hiking on sandy or dirt paths. We measure by time hiked rather than distance so that we are hiking about 90 minutes round-trip.

Muscle Powered, a Carson City non-profit that works to enhance walking and biking in the community, was recently notified that Carson City’s Ash to Kings Trail was selected as winner of the Coalition for Recreational Trail’s Annual Achievement Award in the Community Linkage category.

Organizers of Carson City's first Epic Rides Off-Road mountain bike event in June unveiled its event course Tuesday through a video and a series of maps. The event, June 17-19, will gives riders three distance options: beginner, weekend warrior and pro level.

The riding courses were picked in cooperation with Visit Carson City, the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest and Nevada State Parks.

Meet at Murphy road, north end off of Combs Canyon. We can car pool from there. This hike along a fire road is only 1.5 miles from the V&T trail. It is on the far west side of the Timberline neighborhood and is a fun place tucked into the hills. We will walk to a great lookout point near Ash Canyon. This is not a very strenuous hike but has some uphill road walking at the beginning.

The Brewery Arts Center, Carson City’s premiere epicenter for the arts since 1975 will bring to Carson City Winter Wine, Spirits and All That Jazz, an evening of wine, beer and spirit tasting, featuring the very best in art, music and entertainment that the area has to offer happening for the second year all over the campus of the Brewery Arts Center.

The clock is ticking for last minute shoppers. Luckily, Carson City has great options for everyone on the list. Telegraph Square in downtown will be hopping with a Santa parade, vendors, and a pirate ship, in addition to great shops. The Brewery Arts Center is hosting a weekend-long art sale with one of a kind options throughout the campus. Art is a great gift, and making it is even more fun. Carson City Pottery is holding an open house today; a gift certificate for a pottery class is perfect for all skill levels.

SATURDAY:

Carson City Symphony does some great things: one of which is the Strings in the Schools program. Join our talented STRAZZ students tonight at the Community Center as they perform the annual ‘This is not a Christmas Concert’ concert. Sassafras will be filled with some swanky jazz; Judith and Rocky are hosting this week’s jazz jam. Santa has been spotted at Red’s Old 395 and, naughty or nice, little boys and girls will get a photograph to take home. Stick around and enjoy Janet Leigh in Holiday Affair with the Carson City Classic Cinema Club.

TUESDAY: National Day of Giving Charity Drive

• Kit Carson Toastmasters Weekly Meeting at Grandma Hattie’s (6:30am; for info call Frank 775-885-7579 or KitCarsonToastmasters@gmail.com)
• World AIDS Day: Free HIV Test at Carson City Health and Human Services: 900 E. Long St. (8:30am-12pm, 1pm-4:30pm)

Meet near the corner of Ash Canyon Road and Wellington East.

Muscle Powered - Citizens for a walkable/bikeable Carson City sponsors a different hike every week. Hikes are moderately paced, usually with some elevation gain, of 1 ½ to 2 hour duration. Participants are responsible for their own transportation and leader may request physician’s release if needed. Please check out our website http://www.musclepowered.org. for specific hikes. “Friend” Muscle Powered on Facebook for weekly notices.
Bring your headlamps or flashlights. Cancelled if rain, sleet, or blizzard.

Saturday, August 29th was the grand opening of the long awaited Ash Canyon to Kings Canyon trail. This non-motorized multi-use trail is seven miles long, and connects the Ash Canyon trail system to Kings Canyon Road (Lincoln Hwy) and the Longview Trail. Though the trail was designed with mountain bi...

This last weekend of August is filled with ways to celebrate your community. Carson Animal Shelter Initiative, better known as CASI, hosts their annual Bark, Whine, and Dine Fundraiser at Fuji Park. Animal lovers can also head to Carson Catalina Apartments for a rummage sale that benefits the Carson Tahoe SPCA. The Carson City Sheriff's Office young Explorers will host a fundraising car wash; The Marine Corp League can be found at the north Carson Walmart; half of the donations received will go to Deputy Howell’s family fund. And don’t miss out on the drought-friendly water balloon ice bucket challenge raising funds for ALS at Butler Meats on Sunday.

SATURDAY:

• Car Wash fundraiser for Carson City Sheriff’s Office Explorers at Unique Sounds: 3080 Hwy 50 East (10am-2pm)
• Virginia City Ferrari Hill Climb
• Back to School at Carson Hot Springs (Free 17 and younger admission per paid adult; outdoor pools only; 7am-10pm)
• Rummage Sale fundraiser for Carson Tahoe SPCA at Carson Catalina Apartments: 700 Hot Springs Rd. (7am-ish until?)
• Annual Outreach and Fundraiser by the Marine Corps League of Carson City Silver State- Detachment 630 at the Walmart store on Retail Drive (8am-5pm; half of the donations go to the family of fallen Carson City Sheriff’s Office Deputy and former U.S. Marine Carl Howell)

The 7-mile trail connecting Ash and Kings canyons in the hills east of Carson City will officially open this weekend with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Saturday.

“It’s very exciting,” said Jeff Potter, a board member of Muscle Powered. “It’s a chance for us to say thank you in a public setting to all the partnerships that were involved.”

Join Muscle Powered and partners for a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the Ash Canyon to Kings Canyon Trail on Saturday, August 29, 2015 at 8:30 am! The ceremony will be held at the Ash Canyon bridge just below the Ash Canyon Trailhead.

Beginning Monday, Fuji Dog Park at 601 Old Clear Creek Road will be closed to the public as a dog park in preparation of the Nevada Fair. The park will reopen for dog use on Wednesday, Aug. 5.
Carson City Parks and Recreation encourages pet owners to take advantage of other "dog friendly" parks and paths in the area. Those parks are:

Here’s a reminder of something special that occurs today in the Outdoor world: Today, Saturday, June 13 is Nevada’s Free Fishing Day for the year 2015. On this day, you can fish anywhere you want, and you will not need to have a Nevada fishing license or a Nevada Trout Stamp.

Today is also Nevada State Parks Day. Today folks can enjoy free admission to all 23 Nevada state parks.

Muscle Powered's Jeff Potter was honored recently for his work on the Ash Canyon to Kings Trail in Carson City at the National and International Trail Awards, held in Portland, Oregon.

American Trails presents the National and International Trails Awards Program to recognize the tremendous contributions of volunteers, professionals, and other leaders who are working for the betterment of trails both nationally and internationally and in both rural and urban settings. These awards are presented every two years at the International Trails Symposium. The ceremony was held May 19.

So, how is everyone feeling today? I’m hoping that you had a great cinco, without over-doing it. Head to the Firkin and Fox this afternoon and join the Nevada Craft Brewers Association to toast the 2015 Legislative session. Sample Nevada´s finest craft brews, mingle with the craft brewers and enjoy live music with the Trippin King Snakes. Keep the good times rolling with even more live music at Sassafras, Living the Good Life, or Glen Eagles.

WEDNESDAY:

• Equality Day at the Legislature

Join Bike Habitat and Muscle Powered for the Eighth Annual Tour of Carson City bicycle ride this Sunday, May 3. Signups are at 9:00 AM, ride begins at 9:30 AM. The ride will begin and end at the Bike Habitat, and tour around the perimeter of Carson City for a moderately paced 27-30 mile bike ride.

This is a free event, and lunch will be served for the riders back at the shop after the ride. Donations and memberships are encouraged to support Muscle Powered of Carson City to promote a more bike friendly community.

Just remind yourself that these April showers bring May flowers, and the balmy spring weather is returning in just a few days. This weekend has indoor and outdoor activities aplenty, so you can choose the degree of wind and rain you want to deal with.

While hiking in Ash Canyon John Petroulis took a photo of this animal. He has not been able to determine what species it is.“It was behind sage and would not come out in the open to be photographed. It co...

Every year on March 17, the Irish and the Irish-at-heart across the globe observe St. Patrick’s Day. What began as a religious feast day for the patron saint of Ireland has become an international festival celebrating Irish culture with parades, dancing, special foods and a whole lot of green. Carson City definitely gets in on the game with festivities all over town. Corned beef and cabbage, green beer, and live music abound. I've included a short YouTube video of Tom and Mary Kay Aufrance who will be performing at Red's this evening.

May the Irish hills caress you.

The Carson Canyons half marathon is slated for Saturday and will kick off a series of three half marathons in as many months.

“Doing a half marathon now is good for training as far as doing something longer for the summer,” said Kevin Bigley, owner of Ascent Physical Therapy in Carson City, which is organizing and sponsoring the runs. “You’re getting a good base in for your running calendar.”

Yes. You are looking at a bunny with a pancake on its head, but I can explain. Today is National Pancake Day, so head over to the International House of Pancakes for your free short stack and donate to this year’s charity, the Children’s Miracle Network. It is also National ‘I Want You to Be Happy Day.’ Pancake Day and trying to share a smile, ergo silly picture of a bunny with a pancake on its head. Find your own way to share some happiness today.

The Ormsby Sportsmen's Association of Carson City has announced that it has disbanded and closed its doors after an existence of almost 70 years, beginning way back in August, 1945.

Carson Now Reader Mark Vanderlinden submitted these photos of his Sunday ride along Ash Canyon Trail. Mark says he enjoys riding Ash Canyon and Kings Canyon after storms to see what Mother Nature left behind. In this case, a couple inches of snow and about 5 inches at the top.

A black bear sow and her three male cubs were captured this week on the west side of Carson City by the Nevada Department of Wildlife. The four bears were safely released back in to the wild Friday morning in the Ash Canyon area west of Nevada’s capital city.

The bears were on the verge of becoming “conflict” bears before the capture. “They had been raiding garbage cans and searching for fallen fruit from trees,” said NDOW biologist Carl Lackey. “NDOW’s new family trap, which has multiple trap chambers, was used in the capture.”

Happy Friday, Carson City. Many people in our area have Facebook accounts, but not everyone, so I am pleased to bring you the event list that is featured on my Facebook page, I love Carson City.

Every week, as I have for the last two years, I follow the pages of local businesses and organizations, search website calendars, and compile a list of anything and everything going on in this community. Some of it is family friendly, some is just for adults, but all of it is nearby.

My son and I joined the Muscle Powered Trail Crew over the weekend to work on the Kings Canyon to Ash Canyon Trail. The Bike Smith hosted this particular work day, and many of the guys from the shop were there to lend a hand. We arrived at the Kings Canyon trailhead at 9:00 AM where we received a safety talk, a hard hat, and trail tools to carry up to the work site.