Hiking Prison Hill from Silver Saddle Ridge

BY SAM BAUMAN

The last time I set out to hike up Prison Hill from the East, I got flummoxed by starting at the trailhead at the Silver Saddle Ranch.

The trail seemed to wander and never get any place so I switched and walked the Mexican Ditch trail. But this time I parked where the dirt road to the ranch, off River Road, makes a sharp left and heads down hill. There's a cleared spot just after the gate on the dirt road extension.

The trail is well cared for and the trailhead is marked by an official sign describing the geology of the area. There's no water and no shade along this trail so bring water and sunscreen.

The trail itself is fine dirt, the wash off from the hills around it. You start out going uphill and except for a few dips continue uphill all the way to the top. As you ascend the trail changes from the soft dirt to firmer and rockier surfaces.

And ascend you do, going from about 4,900 feet to about 6,000 feet. My altimeter watch gave me readings I found hard to believe: 1,840 feet at the base, 4,100 feet at the top. Back to the manufacturers with it.

After a long trek across sagebrush covered areas, you come to a long traverse with a valley to the right. This is not a difficult part of the hike, but a fall here could send you tumbling several hundred feet into the creek bed. After about a quarter mile the valley is filled by big rocks " really big ones in some places " and canyon walls tower. Layers of sediment show how volcanic activity here tossed surfaces around; the white layers are often at 90 degrees to one another. By now the Silver Saddle Ranch is no longer visible and the trail seems to climb endlessly.

One of the early landmarks one encounters is the hulk of an old pickup truck, tucked in the stream bed. How it got there is anybody's guess; there's little trace of any road in the canon. But there it sits.

By now the trail alternates between soft powdered dirt and firmer ground with rocks. It's been mostly uphill with few dips. Views are spectacular here; the canyon walls are towering, topped by jagged piles of stone like castles in Europe. On the left it's mostly sagebrush, Mormon tea and Desert Peach; on the right it's more rugged with great facings of rock tumbled about.

This is a long, strenuous trek, (a guess) of about 2.5 miles each way with an altitude gain of 600 feet, although it seems much more, as always.

After a steeper section the trail eases out and you pass a road off to the left, marked by a big Carin of stones on the right. In another couple of hundred of feet another road cuts off to the right, up to a bluff that must overlook the Carson River Valley and the Mexican Ditch. Another road heads the same way at a different angle. (We'll save them for the next time.)

Finally, you emerge in a small clearing where you meet the trail coming up from the west side of Prison Hill. The views here are of the Pinenut Mountains and Carson City, with Highway 50 West cutting a dark slash up the mountains to the west. Dim trails go off north and south from here.

This is one end of the trail, and unfortunately it's not the kind of place you may be looking for to lunch and take a break. No shade, just a few rocks that do for sitting and eating an energy bar.

As always, going down you see a lot that you missed coming up. We didn't see any game this time, but it was a bit late in the morning for deer to be out. But you can bet all kinds of critters are out there somewhere.

You make it about halfway back before you can see the Carson River floodplains and the ranch. Those patches of green look pretty good after all the gray rock and brown trail dirt. By the time you make it back to your car you'll probably be a little dirty and perhaps ready for a break. If so, head for the Silver Saddle Ranch, go through the gate to the Bureau of Land Management hut. Behind it you can stop and picnic free among trees with barbecue stand awaiting.

As to the knee three and a half months after getting a new one, absolutely no problems. Thanks, Dr. Edmunds!

AN EASIER WALK

The trek up Prison Hill may be a bit daunting to some, so here's a shortie that is as close as downtown and mostly forgotten about. Yep, try wandering about the Capitol and Legislative buildings. Not challenging, I'll admit, but it's serene and comfortable, lots of benches about. Mostly in the shade, but you'll find some bits of Nevada history that may surprise you. And if you're of a mind, step into the Capitol for some more history. Can't really call this a hike, but perhaps for a noontime break, it could be satisfying.

SEASON PASS EXTENSION

Alpine Meadows and Homewood longtime season pass holders have persuaded the mountains to extend the early-price deadline. Originally set for September 1, the early rate is now available until Tuesday, Sept. 30. The deadline extension offers a savings of more than $200. Purchase an Alpine Meadows full or mid-week adult season pass online and save an additional $25. Adult full passes to Alpine Meadows are also valid at Homewood Mountain Resort.

Alpine Meadows early-purchase rates: Adult Full Pass (age 19-61) " $899; Teen Full Pass (age 13-18) " $299; Youth Full Pass (age 5-12) " $199; Child Full Pass (age 0-4) " Free; Senior Full Pass (age 62-69) " $499; Super Senior Full Pass (age 70+) " $99; Adult Mid-Week Pass " $399; Senior Mid-Week Pass " $299.

Homewood early-purchase rates:

Adult Full, Unlimited Pass (age 19-61) " $399; Adult Mid-Week Pass " $249; Teen Season Pass (Full Only, age 13-18) " $149; Youth Full Pass (age 5-12) " $99; Senior Full Pass (age 62+) " $149; Super Senior Full Pass (age 70+) " $99.

Visit SkiAlpine.com or call (530) 583-4232 for Alpine Meadows. Visit SkiHomewood.com or call (530) 550-2992 for Homewood.

RIM TRAIL OUTING

Thursday Sept.18 the Rim Trail group is sponsoring another fun local hike. It's along the Mt. Rose Waterfall Trail Hike towards Mt. Rose, stopping at a beautiful waterfall for lunch, and then continuing the loop back to the trailhead. Enjoy the fall colors with plenty of photo opportunities. Total of 10 miles, bring your lunch! Please, only those over 10 years old and dogs on command are welcome.

To sign-up for this hike contact the TRTA office at 298-0012 or emilyw@tahoerimtrail.org.

MOVIE AT SQUAW

Shot on location at Points North Heli in Cordova, Alaska, Europe, Colorado, Utah, Oregon and California, "Such is Life" features a perfect mix of epic big mountain and park skiing. Tahoe locals will enjoy terrain park segments shot last spring in Squaw Valley USA's Mainline Park.

Ski buffs can look forward to watching the Squaw Valley premiere of "Such is Life" alongside some of its athletes. The premiere of Rage Films' "Such is Life" is set for Saturday Sept. 20 at Olympic Village Lodge (past the old fire station in Squaw). Doors open at 7 p.m. with an 8 p.m. show time. Tickets are $10 at the door and all ages are welcome. The teaser for "Such is Life" can be viewed at www.ragefilms.com.

Other ski and snowboard films scheduled to premiere at the Olympic Village Lodge this fall include Matchstick Production's "Claim" on Oct. 4 and Forum's "Forum or Against 'em" on Oct. 31. A complete list of movie premieres and events at Squaw Valley USA is available at www.squaw.com.