Huffaker Park in Reno, Nevada

Huffaker Park is a Reno neighborhood park with recreational facilities and two rocky sagebrush hills. The latter are accessible via the Huffaker Park Lookout Trail, which is named Huffaker Mountain Trail on a map posted at the trailhead. Let's assume this name refers not to the park hills, but to the mountain ranges that can be seen from the lookout trail. The panoramic views range from the northern end of the Carson Range (viewing west), the Virginia Range (viewing east) and various volcano-shaped hills surronding the Truckee Meadows (viewing around). The west-side section of the loop trail features interpretive panels informing about local history, ecology and geology. Pedestrians and bicyclists will find benches, designated vista points, a gazebo and a small amphitheater along the trail.

Currently, the interpretive panels are not in a good shape: some are missing, others sprayed over and many of them are disintegrating. But visitors with puzzle experience will be able to derive some information. The text snippets and illustrations on the panel address viewing targets that may be right in front of you. The targets of interest include the deer mouse, black-tailed jackrabbit, red-tailed hawk and various plants such as local shrubs, grasses and lichen species differing in color and texture.

The length of the trail, looping around the two shrub-covered hills, is given with 1.4 miles. There is a connector trail between the two hill tops. Short trails such as the South Hilltop Trail fork off the main loop to particular lookout points. Others fork off to connect with neighborhoods and business parks.

Getting there: From the intersection of South Virginia Street and Longley Lane in south Reno, follow Longley Lane northeast for 0.3 miles and turn right on East Huffaker Lane. Follow this road for about half a mile to its intersection with Offenhauser Drive. Turn right and find parking. Huffaker Park has picnic tables and tennis courts. The trailhead of the Lookout Trail is located at the east side of the park, reached by taking the bridge that overpasses an irrigation ditch.

References

[1]	Mike White: Afoot & Afield, Reno-Tahoe, A comprehensive hiking guide. Wilderness Press, Berkeley, California, 1st Edition August 2006, 2nd printing 2008, pp. 336-337.
[2]	J. V. Tingley, K. A. Pizarro, C. Ross, B. W. Purkey and L. J. Garside: Geologic and Natural History Tours in the Reno Area. Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology Special Publication 19, University of Nevada, Reno, 1st Edition August 2006, 2nd printing 2005, page 29.
[3]	Truckee Meadows Trails. RGJ Custom Publishing Group, Reno, October 2009, page 30.

Huffaker Park and Open Space

Huffaker Hills Open Space
Huffaker area animals and plants
Huffaker Hills brush fire
Reno's Huffaker Hills Trailhead

Trailing Ahead

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