At an altitude of 5,045 feet above sea level: Washoe Lake

Washoe Lake

The calm surface of Washoe Lake on an early-December day in 2018 reflecting clouds and the east-side slopes of the Carson Range

Washoe Lake, like its satellite Little Washoe Lake, is a shallow body of water between Reno and Carson City in the northwest of Nevada. Located east of Lake Tahoe in the lee of the Carson Range—southeast of Mount Rose—Washoe Valley and its lakes are frequently visited by strong winds. These Washoe Zephyr winds were already described by Mark Train. Washoe lake hosts fish and a diverse range of waterfowl. Its water usually is highly turbid. The beaches and the up-to-30-feet-high sand dunes along the east side form a scenic terrain that welcomes Washoe City residents and visitors for hiking and horseback riding. In past winters, I have found the long snow-covered stretch of sand between the frozen lakeshore water and the white-powdered dunes the perfect place for beach snow-shoeing.
Follow Me on Pinterest
Nearby attractions and trails
Ghost of a Sawmill
Davis Creek Regional Park
Rock Lake off Ophir Creek Trail