Carson Bicycle Routes - Recreational

Description: The Mexican Ditch Trail extends from Hells Bells Rd in the north (at the terminus of the Route 6 Multi-Use Path in Moffat Open Space) to Mexican Dam in the south. With the recent installation of new bridges to cross the Mexican Ditch, the route is now continuous. It is a graded dirt surface route that can be easily ridden by mountain bikes and sees some road bike use. At the crossing of Carson River Rd, bicyclists should be cautious, as the traffic travels at high speeds around the curve, and bicyclists must travel a short distance on Carson River Rd which has a narrow shoulder. Because the trail follows the historical Mexican Ditch, it is nearly flat.

Recommendation: Signs [W11-15] indicating the trail crossing should be added to Carson River Rd. Consideration should be given to having the trail cross Carson River Rd directly into Silver Saddle Ranch, at the old gate which is currently closed.

Map: These trail segments are designated as "Unpaved Recreation Trail" (brown) on the Carson City Bicycle Route Map, which is appropriate.

KML: Mexican Ditch 1 | Mexican Ditch 2

Description: The Empire Ranch Trail extend from Morgan Mill Rd to the end of Empire Ranch Rd, skirting the outside of Empire Ranch Golf Course. Along the east side, the trail is close to the Carson River, and there are a number of river access points. This is a great trail for nature and wildlife. Though the trail is unpaved, it is flat and smooth enough for a carefully ridden road bike. A new trail segment connects the Empire Ranch Trail to the Morgan Mill River Access. Signs are missing from the Morgan Mill Rd end, and faded at the Empire Ranch Rd end.

Recommendations: Signs should be replaced. The path should be left unpaved.

Map: The trail is designated on as "Unpaved Recreation Trail" (brown) on the Carson City Bicycle Route Map, which is appropriate. The Unified Pathways Master Plan apparently identifies this trail as a future paved multi-use trail.

KML: Empire Ranch | River Access

Description: The Lone Mountain Trail is a half mile dirt path along the crest of Lone Mountain, the isolated ridge in the north part of Carson City. The north end is at the intersection of Northridge Dr with New Ridge Dr, where there is a small trailhead parking lot. At the south end the trail ends at the intersection of Roop St with Winnie Ln.

The trail is usable by walkers and mountain bikes, but not by road bike. Though the ridge is marred by a power line that tops the southern half, and developers were allowed to gnaw away at the edges, it is nevertheless a wonderful place to walk or bike. You get a clear view of the mountains surrounding Carson City, and an interesting perspective down on the city.

Recommendations: Both ends of the path should be signed.

Map: The trail is designated on as "Unpaved Recreation Trail" (brown) on the Carson City Bicycle Route Map, which is appropriate. The Unified Pathways Master Plan general map does not show this trail, for unknown reasons.

KML: Lone Mountain

The Adventure Cycling Association's Western Express Route, which will be included in the US Bike Route System, passes through Carson City, on its way from San Francisco to Pueblo, Colorado.

The route enters Carson City from Jacks Valley Rd, follows Hwy 395 north to Clearview Dr, turns east on Clearview, north on Silver Sage Dr which becomes Roop St, turns east on Hwy 50, and leaves Carson City in the Moundhouse area.

The section of Hwy 395 from Clear Creek Dr - Old Clear Creek Rd to Clearview does not have sufficent width for safe bicycling, but Frontage Rd to the east has a much lower traffic volume, though also an insufficient width. Clearview is not a designated bicycle route on the Carson City Bicycle Map, but it is of sufficient width. Following the Route 395 bicycle route on Clear Creek Dr from the intersection, then east on Clear Creek Dr, then north on Silver Sage, is probably the best route here. From Appion Way to Fifth St, the Western Express and Route 395 coincide.
The route follows Roop St north from Fifth St to Hwy 50 (William St), however, this is an unsafe route due to narrow travel lanes and high traffic volumes. A good alternate is to go east on Fifth St to Saliman Rd, then north to William St.

The path along Hwy 50, sometimes signed at Route 50, is discontinous and poorly maintained, but from Saliman Rd east to Deer Run Rd - Arrowhead Dr, shoulders are wide enough for safe travel. Beyond Deer Run into Moundhouse (just across the county line from Carson City to Lyon County), there is a wide shoulder, though also very high speed traffic.

This nationally recognized route should be included on the bicycle map in some manner.