NEEDLE ROCK (6,069+) AND PAINTED HILLS April 8, 2000

Leaving home at about 6 a.m., I had signed up for this Reno Sierra Club hike. I met the group at 9 a.m., and was able to secure a ride. This area is a banner hike for local scenery, and they seem to be working on preservation. I have been interested in Needle Rock ever since I saw it some twenty years previous. It looks to be a good rock climb, and is seen from the highway to Pyramid Lake.

We took a dirt road and parked about a half mile from NV 445. The leader hiked briskly to being way out in front, and she beelined our group right to the base of Needle Rock. I saw a bit of a use trail, so knew it was climbed. Looking at it close up, I saw a route but we didn't have any rope, since this was a conducted hike. They have rules, in addition to not being rock climbers.

The group had lunch and I snapped pictures. We were taken about further to the top of a small hill, and then hiked about relatively fantastic rock formations. I remarked about this being the third best red rock in Nevada, but that wasn't saying much for the rest of the state, other than in the Vegas area.

A hiker became sick and the leader ran to get her truck and give a ride to her. Back at the cars, finished with the hike, we went back into Reno and had food and drink. I did some shopping, and motored back west on Interstate 80 to get home to work on my computer.

I hiked some 8 miles with over 2,000' gain. Driving 280 miles, I had used 2.5 rolls of Kodachrome. I mostly wore a T-shirt and long pants, and my hat came in handy.

BACK TO PETE'S THOUSAND PEAKS HOME PAGE