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October 09, 2005
Hike Through the Trees at Galena Creek Park
Despite boasting a picturesque creek, beautiful trees and some spectacular views, Galena Creek Park is often overlooked by both locals and visitors to the Reno-Tahoe area.
Encompassing 440 acres, the park, which is operated by Washoe County, is a great spot to spend a day enjoying nature at its finest--without having to drive very far from Reno.
Galena Creek Park is located off the Mount Rose Highway (State Route 431), about six miles west of U.S. 395.
Washoe County acquired the land for the park in 1931. Named for a mining town that once existed a few miles to the east, the area was originally part of the Galena mining district.
The word, "galena," derives from the type of lead sulfide rock that was found with the gold mined in the district.
Later, the town of Galena (off what today is Callahan Ranch Road) became an important lumber center, boasting 11 sawmills by 1863, as well as stores, hotels, a court, school, homes and, of course, saloons.
Disastrous fires in 1865 and 1867 destroyed the town, which was abandoned after the second conflagration.
Ironically, floods have had more to do with shaping the face of the Galena area. Over the years, snow melts in late winter and early spring or flash floods in late summer produced "wet mantle" flood, (sometimes as high as 10-feet) which are sheets of water pouring down the mountainside.
The result of such floods can be seen in the mounds of rocks and boulders found scattered around the park.
With its groves of White Fir and Jeffrey and Ponderosa pines, the park is a wooded sanctuary that rises from a high desert, sagebrush vegetation zone to the more heavily wooded alpine environment.
At the lower elevations, there are shrubs like Bitterbrush, Manzanita and clumps of twisted Mountain Mahogany. Animal life includes a wide variety of birds, such as jays and hawks, as well as an occasional black bear and mountain lion (although both are rarely seen).
The park also encompasses several beautiful creeks, including its namesake, Galena Creek. The easiest and most accessible hike is the Bitterbrush Trail, which stretches from the north picnic area (the first turn-off into the park when driving west from Reno or Carson City) to the south picnic area.
The trail wanders about a quarter of a mile through the pines before reaching the sturdy wooden bridge that spans Galena Creek. This is a particularly beautiful place to observe the rapidly rushing water tumbling over the smooth rocks.
North of the Galena Creek Bridge is a Nature Trail that winds up the hillside to a variety of local flora and fauna. An informational brochure available at the park describes the rich natural history of the area and points out native plants, including tobacco brush, willows, manzanita and mistletoe.
Visitors often wonder about the huge concrete blocks supported rusted metal boxes that can be seen along the trail. These are actually old camping stoves placed there in the 1940s when the girl scouts had a camp there. The campers would put charcoal into the box and heat pots and pans on top.
More challenging hiking can be found on the Jones Creek-White's Creek Loop Trail (9.2 miles roundtrip) and the Black's Canyon Trail. Both are considerably more challenging than the lower trails but offer some of the best views found in the park.
The Jones Creek-White Creek Trail, which can take six to eight hours to complete, winds all the way up the side of the mountain and ends at Church's Pond.
The Galena Creek Park, is open 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. from Memorial Day to Labor Day, with more limited hours during the rest of the year. There is no use fee at the park.
Additionally, the park has 68 individual picnic sites, available on a first-come, first-serve basis, as well as two group picnic areas, which can be reserved in advance. No woodcutting or private campfires are permitted.
A couple of years ago, the county restored an historic stone building at the park's south entrance. Known as the Galena Creek Park Stone House, it contains a visitor center filled with historic photos and displays describing the history of the area as well as the geology, plant and animal life. It is open from 12 noon to 4 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.
For more information call 775-849-2511 or go to www.washoecountyparks.com
-Richard Moreno
Posted by Rich Moreno at October 9, 2005 06:48 PM