On the Trail with Sam Bauman: That big hunk of black stone called Castle Rock

The hike to Castle Rock is easy and it's close to Carson City.

Just head up Highway 50 to Stateline, left on Kingsbury Grade and at the top of the grade, turn left onto North Benjamin. You can also catch Kingsbury Grade from Highway 395 south to Minden, turn onto Highway 88, right on Muller Drive, up Kingsbury with a right onto North Benjamin. Both are about same distance, but 395/88 probably has less traffic.

North Benjamin becomes Andria and expands into an open space where three trail heads start: one for Castle Rock, another for the Tahoe Rim Trail and the third for Genoa Peak. All are fine trails, but we're headed for Castle Rock.

The Castle Rock trail is marked 13N80 and is down a bit on the left just as the road widens. A metal Forest Service gate blocks the trail to cars. This, incidentally, is the headwater of Burke Creek that flows into Lake Tahoe.

Castle Rock is so-named because it sort of looks like a castle. If you've taken the Heavenly Gondola you've probably looked out to the north and seen the black rock sticking out of the trees in the distance.

The Rock has been a hiking destination for locals for years. It's not the kind of path that visitors will stumble on as it isn't all that important or demanding a trail and I don't remember seeing much written about it. But the views of the Carson Valley are some of the best.

No water here. Do bring a lunch because there are few places around Lake Tahoe when snacking and packing are as much fun or rewarding.

The hike is mostly nice and easy. There are some houses up on the left (with dogs always bark). There's not a lot of vertical climbing until you get to the Rock itself.

The first section of the trail is all downhill. You start out heading west, then make a sharp uphill turn to the north. Continue on the road until a final modest downhill stretch winds up at a small open area where logs are piled on all sides.

Here you have yet to get your first glimpse of the rock - it's hidden by pines. And at this point the trail gets steep, 20 degrees or more. Stick on the trail, don't shortcut the switchbacks. About halfway to the base you'll get your first clean sight of the Rock straight ahead and Lake Tahoe on the right.

At about 7,850 feet you'll reach the actual base of the Rock surrounded by thick duff and decomposed granite. A path leading to the left offers a fine view of the Carson Valley, Highway 395 and Kingsbury Grade. There are several in-and-up paths around Castle Rock and plenty of superb views of the lake and West Shore.

The views from the base of the rock are superb, but for the real 360-degree version you may want to climb it - carefully. The climb to the right is more demanding and requires hand grabs; check your foothold before trusting it. One short section narrows to a tight squeeze, so make sure your gear isn't hanging out there.

The climb to the left requires some descent through brush.

Use care getting down from the Rock; going down is often more difficult than going up.

Climbing up the rock is not an easy climb, so if you're at all sensitive to heights, don't try it. And don't send the kids up, either. Yes, they can probably scramble up better than you, but let's not risk a fall. This is a nice family outing as long as things don't get out of hand. The views are quite satisfying all around the base.

On Sunday, when we were there, few hikers were on the Castle Rock trail, but there were plenty on the nearby Tahoe Rim Trail, so we decided to tack on a jaunt along the Rim Trail, a leg of the circuit we had never tried. There is a vista point about a quarter mile up the Rim Trail so we headed for it.

This trail is not as easy as the Castle Rock Trail. At many places the rocks make for one- and two-foot steps as you climb. Had my trusty old hiking stock, which came in handy at some of the steep step offs.

At the vista point, marked by a guidepost in the middle of the trail, you peel off toward Lake Tahoe, climb a few hundred feet and find several trails wandering off to spots for the best views.

The air is clear and the winds cool and soothing. Not the Rim Trial at its most demanding, but a very pleasant beginning.

• Contact Sam Bauman at 841-7818 or sambauman@att.net