A short handy trail in the area

Once in a while you go back to an old trail for a variety of reasons, in this case to checkout the knee that was operated on last November.

A recent tumble suggested it was a good idea to try an easy hike before marching off on a trek to Lake Aloha up Horsetail Falls.

Dead Man's Creek is a handy, short trail of about a mile. Elevation increase is about 300 feet, thus a good place to check things out. The trail head is on East Lake Boulevard, about 4 miles from Highway 395. A gaunt, silvery tree stands at the site with parking for perhaps three cars.

In 1998 a wildfire blackened the immediate area, wiping out the brush and killing the trees clustered along the bank of the tiny creek. In the five years since the fire much of the vegetation has returned, but the barren tree stumps remind one of what a fire can do.

Today the trail shows signs of neglect but is still in good shape. The brush has encroached at some points but the trail is mostly dirt with a single stretch of rocks about 10 yards long.

Lots of switch backs and about halfway up there is a shady spot with a rickety bench. Along the bottom half of the trail the rocks are mostly black and flat. As the trail rises the rocks turn red along with the volcanic crags.

The big surprise is right at the top -- a new, well-built gazebo. It's a fine structure and offers a wonderful place to sit and gaze on Lake Washoe and Slide Mountain. The gazebo was built by Carson City Eagle Scouts, and they knew what they were doing.

More good news is that the Scouts plan to come back and rebuild the hiking trail, rerouting it in places. A tip of the water bottle to those Eagle Scouts!

This is a handy trail for visitors who might not be up to the Carson Pass or Horse Thief Canyon. And incidentally, the knee is just fine.

-- Kayak adventures are on tap this weekend starting at the Sporting Rage on Highway 395 at 9 a.m. Destination is Silver Lake where last time I was there we saw a bald eagle and had a fine lunch on an island. Things start off with coffee and pastries at the Sporting Rage with lunch served during the trip. Beginners or advanced welcome. Fee is $89.95 and includes everything except muscle. Reserve before 6 p.m. Saturday at 885-7773.

-- Northstar's Star Tours is offering guests the opportunity to gaze into the night sky and learn more about their solar system and beyond in an ideal setting far from city lights.

From its star gazing platform located above 6,000 feet, Northstar-at-Tahoe guests will view galaxies, planets and identify constellations as they gaze through a powerful telescope.

Tony Berendsen, past president of the Astronomical Society of Nevada, will lead the star gazing tours. Berendsen regularly operates the University of Nevada's planetarium observatory.E

"With its dark night skies and high elevation, Northstar offers a premium sky for viewing stars," said Berendsen.

The tours will be offered four times this summer-- on July 18 and 25 and on August 8 and 29. Tours will begin with a short walk to the viewing area where participants receive an introduction to astronomy followed by a question-and-answer session. Tours include an astronomer guide, use of the telescope and a Northstar flashlight.

The July tours will focus on globular clusters, binary stars, whirlpool galaxies and nebulae, while the August tours will focus on Mars.

"This August, Mars will be closer to earth than it has been in the past 70,000 years," said Berendsen.

The Star Tours will meet at 9 p.m. in front of Timbercreek Restaurant, in Northstar's Village. Tours typically take two hours and the cost is $10 per person. Reservations are required for the tours and can be made by calling (530) 562-2288. All ages are welcome (6 and up recommended). Comfortable shoes are a must.

-- Not to be outdone, Squaw Valley is offering full-moon gazing this weekend starting Friday. Viewers ride the cable car to the top and then hike to Emigrant or Squaw Peak before the moon rises. Full moon is Sunday but Friday and Saturday are close enough. Get to the base of the cable car not later than 6:30 p.m. Bring warm clothing, a flashlight, water, wear hiking shoes. Fee for the cable car is $8 for adults, $5 for those 12 and under. Call (530) 583-6985.

-- "Exploring Arizona's Wild Areas," by Scott S. Warren, second edition, (The Mountaineers Books, 334 pages, $18.95)

If Arizona is on your hiking or backpacking or cross country skiing horizon, this is a must book for you. Of course, the Grand Canyon gets a comprehensive and valuable going over, but there are 88 wilderness areas in Arizona -- in all, 5,819,338 acres of raw and semi-developed for exploring.

These acres are mostly wild and author Scott advises that no beginning hiker should even venture into them alone or with other inexperienced hikers. As one who has managed to get lost in the Sierra Nevada on even a modest hike, his warning is worth noting.

Each chapter includes a general map of the area and smaller, more specific maps. All are neatly done, clear to the eye and easy to read. Black-and-white photos are scattered throughout the chapters, each in an appropriate place.

Just looking at Chapter 1 is enough to send the mind back to hiking the Grand Canyon. Would that I had read this book before starting my exploration of the Canyon, I'm sure my hike to the Colorado would have been less stressful and rewarding.

The book is divided into four geographic sections, so finding your destination is easy. There's a resource section in the back with all the phone numbers and addresses you might need for exploring Arizona. An index lists all the wilderness areas.

If there is one weakness in the book it is the poor reproduction of the photos -- mostly they are muddy without contrast or highlights. But that's a minor cavil, the maps are splendid.

Heading for Arizona? Pick this one up. You'll be glad you did.

Sam Bauman is the Nevada Appeal Diversions Editor.