Mountains

It’s no secret that I’m ready for spring, but I’d like to see a little winter show up first. Seems that I got my wish this week. We’ll get a nice dusting here in the valley, with a few inches in the mountains. Roads will be slippery, especially that bridge to Reno, so keep the driving to a minimum.

Gardeners pay attention to weather, and hopefully are also aware of Nevada’s climate.

What’s the difference?

Join us for a 5-mile loop hike on a trail south of Genoa called Fay-Luther. This is a wonderful trail built by the Carson Valley Trails Association winding up the foothills of the western mountains for beautiful views to the east and up the Carson Valley.

Brrrrr. That chilly winter air has finally made an appearance, so pile on the layers and stay cozy. I’m going to keep my fingers crossed that some white stuff sticks to the mountains. Valentine’s Day is on Wednesday, so you’ll want to make reservations if you’re planning on dinner with your sweetheart. The Be Mine Gift and Craft Fair at the Carson Mall is a great place to find something unique for your one and only.

The Pine Nut Mountains Trail Association is pleased to announced that it is a grant recipient from the 2018 Nevada Off–Highway Vehicle Registration Program for use in supporting numerous clean up events.

HOMEWOOD, Calif. — If you’ve seen the classic Francis Ford Coppola film The Godfather II then you’ll recognize Lake Tahoe’s Fleur du Lac Estates as the lakeside backdrop for mobster Michael Corleone’s bash held in honor of his son’s first communion in the beginning of The Godfather Part II. It was also the spot where his older brother Fredo was killed.

The mountains are finally wearing a beautiful winter coat, with even a little more to fall before tomorrow, but Carson City just got a dusting. That means the roads are slick, so give yourself some extra travel time until the sun gets a chance to melt it off. The Roska Collective wants to help you kick off your weekend early with Techno and Tequila at Battle Born Social downtown. The Bella Vita Bistro in the Carson Mall adds Thirsty Thursday Karaoke to the mix.

Come join us for a Winter Hike to Pinyon Trail in Carson Valley. This gently rolling 5.2 miles intermediate hike provides majestic views of Carson Valley, Jobs's Peak and the beautiful surrounding mountains. To carpool to the trailhead, meet at 9:00 AM at the north end of the Target store parking lot on Jack's Valley Road. If you wish to meet at the Pinyon Trail trailhead, please be there by 9:30 a.m. For location of trailhead in Carson Valley, go to https://carsonvalleytrails.org/pinyon-trail/.

I don’t want to jinx anything, but there are rumors of wet stuff on the way. Granted, the valley will probably just see some rain, but I love seeing our mountains snow-capped. The Epic Rides’ Carson City Off-Road race isn’t until June, but locals can sign up tonight at a nice discount. Teens can find a little peace and quiet with the new Meditation Group that meets at A to Zen. Learning to calm your mind can be an invaluable tool during the school year.

In anticipation of the Carson City Off Road 2018 mountain bike event in June, the promoting agency Epic Rides will hold a community signup and discount night Jan. 3 at The Fox Brewpub.

CARSON CITY, Nev. – A Nevada Department of Education Committee will select two Nevada high school seniors to participate in the National Youth Science Camp that will include hands-on research projects presented by scientists from across the nation, overnight camping trips into the Monongahela National Forest and a visit to Washington D.C.

Winter is settling in, even if our mountains are lacking their snowy blanket. It’s chilly out there, but the members of Muscle Powered head out for a walk and a hike every Tuesday unless the rain or snow is falling. Join them tonight for a walk around downtown Carson City to take in the twinkling lights and decorations; there will even be a stop afterward for a warm beverage. If you’d rather exercise your brain, the Geeks Who Drink Pub Quiz at Sassafras and DJ Trivia at the Fox Brewpub are your choices.

As winter approaches, many are wondering if Nevada is going to have another wet winter and may be hearing terms such as “El Niño” and “La Niña.” But, what are they, and how exactly do they impact Nevada winters and the moisture we will receive?

The annual Silver Saddle Ranch Holiday Open House is the perfect time to explore this hidden gem of open space in east Carson City. The Silver Saddle Ranch (SSR) is a 703-acre working ranch located between the Pine Nut Mountains to the east and Prison Hill to the west. The Ranch and surrounding landscape is dominated by agricultural fields, sagebrush, and wetland and riparian habitats.

Gusty conditions ahead of rain and snow showers in the Carson City region has prompted the National Weather Service to issue a High Wind Warning beginning Sunday morning.

A Thanksgiving tradition in Carson City that has brought community members to the dinner table at the Carson Nugget for decades drew nearly 1,000 people for a delicious family-style meal Thursday.

A Carson City tradition continues Thursday as the Carson Nugget hosts its annual free Thanksgiving dinner from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the upstairs ballroom.

A new study from the Wildlife Conservation Society, Nevada Department of Wildlife and the University of Nevada-Reno finds that conservation efforts have resulted in successful re-colonization of black bears into portions of their historic ranges in the Great Basin in Nevada. The animals had been absent from these areas for more than 80 years.

Along with a High Wind Warning issued earlier, a moderate to strong atmospheric river will bring significant precipitation to the region prompting the National Weather Service to issue a Flood Watch for Carson City, Carson Valley and much of Western Nevada.

The Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit and the Eldorado National Forest will begin the sale of Christmas tree permits on Monday, Nov. 13. Permit holders may choose from a variety of pine, fir or cedar trees up to six inches in diameter at the base in designated cutting areas.

It’s Nevada Day weekend, and that means the annual parade and festivities will bombard downtown Carson City with thousands of revelers. I made the decision to put all of the parade related events into a separate list for a few reasons: one, this list would be way too long otherwise; two, Halloween fun is plentiful all weekend long; and three, I want my list to be as easy to read as possible. Read on for events throughout Carson City, Carson Valley, Dayton, Silver and Virginia Cities.

Tickets are now on sale for the annual Celebrity Chef and Harvest Dinner, a benefit for The Greenhouse Project, Monday, Nov. 13, at Café at Adele’s. The evening features a six-course, wine- or beer-paired dinner dinner prepared by Chef Charlie Abowd, co-owner of Adele’s and Chef Kevin Ashton of Zozo’s Ristorante in Reno.

CARSON CITY — A bronze plaque at Great Basin National Park in eastern Nevada memorializes Stephen T. Mather, the founder and first director of the National Park Service.

Some weekends are pretty cut and dry, just a few things to choose among. This, however, is not one of those weekends. High-flying, death-defying action takes over the Minden Airport as the Aviation Roundup Air Show takes to the skies. Pasta-lovers won’t want to miss the Eldorado Great Italian Festival in downtown Reno. Carson City’s monthly Downtown Wine Walk gets a dose of nostalgia as the Western Airstream Convention sets up shop and welcomes the curious.

Carson City’s downtown will be glittering with silver this weekend as Airstream trailers park along Carson Street for an international rally.

UPDATE 5:58PM: Highway 395, which was closed in both directions from Riverview Drive and SR208 Holbrook Junction due to the Cutter Fire, is now back open. The Cutter Fire burning in the Pine Nut Mountains has grown to 650 acres, according to Sierra Front Interagency Dispatch Center.
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A wildfire is burning Tuesday afternoon in the Pine Nut Mountains near Leviathan Mine Road in Douglas County, according to Sierra Front Interagency Dispatch Center.

Fall is the time of year for increased bear foraging activity and more human and bear encounters are possible, according to wildlife officials in Nevada and California.

Scattered rain and snow showers remain possible with a very chilly airmass that is spreading over Carson City and much of western Nevada, prompting the National Weather Service to issue a Freeze Watch for late Friday through Saturday morning.

The 2017 pine nut harvest season kicks off on lands managed by the Nevada Bureau of Land Management and Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. Both agencies are working together to ensure the public is safely harvesting pine nuts and aware of the regulations.

On September 15, 2017 the annual Nevada bear hunt season opens, and this year 45 hunters have been issued tags to participate in the season that lasts until Dec. 1, or until the quota of 20 black bears has been met, according to the Nevada Department of Wildlife. The quota in 2016 was 41 bears.