Granite Peak

The hike to Granite Peak is a short gravel double track path that will get you sweating before reaching panoramic views of the northern Reno area.

Gaining 700' in elevation over a 1.2 uphill climb, the hike follows a rotted and rough gravel double track as it switches back up the north face of the mountain. A mostly barren landscape is covered in sage brush and several boulder outcroppings along the path. What isn't there is any type of shade or protection from the sun and wind. The path reaches increasingly wide views across the Reno sprawl that is slowly encroaching its way north, as warehouses begin to dominate the surroundings of Silver Lake located prominently below the mountain.

While tracks from ORVs might be seen along the double track, the deep ruts and harsh condition of the trail tends to keep the amount of off road traffic pretty minimal. It's more than likely that hikers will have this trail all to themselves.

A few mining ruins and tailings piles are passed. At about 1.2 miles, the trail wraps around the boulders at the peak. It makes a great place to sit down and take in the views extending to north Reno and Peavine Mountain to the southwest, and the rugged mountainous interior of the area to the northeast.

Hikers should keep their eyes open and might spot the coyotes that hunt on this mountainside. There is no dedicated parking area, but there is enough space to pull to the shoulder of the dirt road near Red Rock Rd. There are no amenities or any signage anywhere along this hike. This is a rough trail on BLM land that offers hikers a chance to reach a rarely-visited peak with panoramic views of the surrounding area.