Here's a local all-year (mostly) hike

BY SAM BAUMAN

With snow already on the mountain tops, it may be time to look for more local, lower hiking trails around Carson.

There's both sides of Prison Hill and Dead Man's Creek off Washoe Lake, but when the snow builds up you might be interested in a trail that is lower and usually snow-free except in heaviest snowfalls.

I don't know if this hike has a a name. It's on the south side of Duck Hill at the north end of town, the hill with the TV tower on top. To get there take Emerson north to Bonanza and park just before entering the apartment complex there (the house number is 99, but don't block the driveway).

No trailhead markings, just a dirt road with a gradual uphill track. This is basically just dirt road and it's used by hikers, bikers, cars, trucks and ATVs. Before you start look up to the pile of rocks about a third of the way up the hill. There's a tree in the rocks and it has been there for as long as I've trod this stretch (I used to live in the apartment complex). There's a well used sandy pitch leading to that tree, but it's all loose stuff and steep.

So I just followed the dirt road for about a quarter mile to a fork. To the left it's a trail leading to a mine operation. I don't think it's active but if you take that fork give the mine a wide swing. To climb to the top of Duck Hill is mostly bushwhacking, although there are some segments of trails.

The right fork takes you along more dirt road with homes on the right and eventually winding up on Carson City streets. No easy loop.

But what makes this walk interesting is the opportunity to aim for that tree on the way back. Last week I did so after turning around at the fork, where there is a notch in the hillside and a collection of trash with a dump of gravel and dirt at the entrance. Messy place, but you can climb up on the embankment there and look south at the city for a nice if messed-up view.

So I walked back along the road (met about four people en route) to the point where it began downhill and then struck off to the right toward a saddle that seemed to connect to the pile of rocks with the tree. I struck off too soon and mistook the first pile of rocks for the fourth (I later realized). Bushwhacking up the hill isn't too strenuous as a fire several years ago cleared lots of brush. But it starts out mostly decomposed granite sand, soft and unfirm. But the higher you go, the rockier it becomes. A walking stick comes in handy here when the brush gets thick.

I reached the saddle and tried to work my way around the rock heap to get to the tree but found no way to approach the tree. I finally gave up and worked my way back down to the road and only there discovered that the pile of rocks with the tree was three rock piles down the road.

Can't give you much in the way of distances and altitude gain; you just sort of make your own way and go as far as you feel like. Lots of deer droppings and probably some snakes, but I didn't see any. Other critters, yes, lizards and rabbits. Not a demanding hike unless you want to get to the top of Duck Hill, but there are many nice views of the city along the way.

LAST FREE GUIDED RIM TRAIL HIKE

Here's a real hike, this Saturday from Big Meadow to Shower's Lake. The trail wanders from meadows to lakes to creeks, and through dense stands of pine, fir and aspen. The trail then climbs to the granite-lined shores of beautiful Shower's Lake. Enjoy beautiful fall colors, large alpine meadows and stunning high cliffs. Total of 14 miles, out and back. Bring lunch and water. Meeting time is 8 a.m.

TAHOE CITY TOWARD PAINTED ROCK

On Sunday you can hike nine miles over moderate terrain. Get spectacular views of Lake Tahoe and the Truckee River canyon on the brand new section of the TRT. Hike with Tim Hauserman, author of "Tahoe Rim Trail," the official guide for hikers, mountain bikers and equestrians. He will also be happy to sign or sell copies of the TRT guidebook. Meeting time is 9:30 a.m. at the Fairway Community Center in Tahoe City. No need to register. Check rimtrail.com for details.

HEAVENLY UPGRADES

Three new trails, on-mountain lodge renovations, radio frequency ticket technology and a major trail re-grade headline resort improvements Heavenly reports for the 2008-09 season. Guest can enjoy new lifts, new on-mountain restaurants, new lodging and base villages.

"The debut of Olympic Express and the Heavenly Flyer ZipRider last season set Heavenly apart as the next great destination resort," said Blaise Carrig, Heavenly's chief operating officer. "This winter guests will expect more improvements including new gladed trails in Ski Ways and the re-grading of Skyline Trail."

The Skyline Trail (never knew it had a name) links the top of the California Sky chair to Nevada runs and for years it has been a bottleneck, starting out with a mild downgrade but then angling up, creating a jam where snowboarders have to stop and free a foot to go uphill. Skyline Trail is the picturesque 10,000-foot-high traverse connecting the California side of the mountain to the Nevada side.

With its new, gentle 10-percent downhill grade, all levels of skiers and snowboarders will be able to enjoy Nevada without the traffic jam.

Three new trails will open in California; two in Ski Ways glades and another in Powderbowl Woods. The runs continue the trend Heavenly began in the Olympic Express area last season; Heavenly is glading the trails, leaving tree islands far enough apart to groom the run with a snow cat and will serve upper-intermediate to advanced skiers and snowboarders, giving them a groomed, tree-skiing experience. The two trails in Ski Ways Glades will be designated as black diamonds (most difficult), and the trail in Powderbowl Woods will be designated as a blue square (intermediate/more difficult).

On the Nevada side, Heavenly is providing more on-mountain, indoor seating by adding 160 seats to East Peak Lodge.

Heavenly has continued its corduroy by adding five new low-emission Prinoth Bison groomers and one new low-emission Prinoth Bison winch cat.

Heavenly is expanding snowmaking to include Stagecoach Run from top to bottom. More than eight acres of terrain will be covered, enhancing early- and late-season skiing coverage of popular intermediate-to-advanced terrain.

The California Lodge rental shop is undergoing a remodel and expansion, creating a more efficient rental process so more time can be spent on the slopes. Also new this year is an unlimited yearly ski and snowboard rental program through Rentskis.com and Specialty Sports Venture that rewards frequent renters and diminishes the need to bring gear to the resort. For $359 skiers and riders can purchase an unlimited number of days of Sport or Performance rental equipment (skis/boards, boots and poles if desired) for the 2008-09 season; the Unlimited Demo Rental Pass is available for $459 and the Junior Rental Pass for children 13 and under is $199.

The 2008-09 Heavenly season passes have received a high-tech upgrade this season with the addition of Radio Frequency technology. A small computer chip called an RF "tag" will be embedded into all resort passes sending a radio signal to new handheld scanners. Guests will still interact with lift employees who will verify pass photos and information; however, the "easy scan" pass will not have to be presented to the scanner for it is detectable through many layers of clothing.

Visit www.skiheavenly.com or call (800) HEAVENLY.

VAIL RESORTS

To help offset added airline fees, Vail Resorts is offering a "Baggage Bailout" for skiers and snowboarders staying at Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone and Heavenly this winter. Guests will receive a $50 credit when they book at least a four-day, four-night ski or snowboard vacation by December 1 through Vail Resorts..

To qualify for a "Baggage Bailout," guests must call Vail Resorts Reservations at (866) 949-2573 and book four or more nights of lodging at any lodging property at one of the company's five mountain resorts and buy at least four days of adult lift tickets by December 1.

Guests who have already purchased Vail Resorts' Epic Season Pass are qualified for the "Baggage Bailout," as long as they purchase at least four nights of lodging. The "Baggage Bailout" credit is based on occupancy limits of two people per room. Other restrictions apply.

Children may also receive a $25 baggage credit, if at least four days of children's lift tickets are purchased. The "Baggage Bailout" credit is available to guests, even if they are not traveling with bags or flying on an airline that is not charging baggage fees (such as Southwest Airlines).

The Epic Season Pass offers a full season of unlimited and unrestricted skiing at any of our five resorts and Arapahoe Basin for $579 for adults and $279 for kids, but must be purchased by November 15. The new Unlimited Ski Rental Pass reduces the hassle factor, eliminates luggage fees and provides a season-long quiver of skis (or snowboards) stored at your favorite mountain for $359. The premium package is $100 more for the year.