I was out fairly late last night having dinner and then drinks with several of my co-workers. This trip to Reno was a business trip after all. That said though, I got it in my head that I wanted to wake early and climb up to the summit of nearby Rattlesnake Mountain for the sunrise. This small mountain rises about five hundred feet above the valley floor. I've climbed it numerous times before when I lived in Reno, but never for sunrise.
With sunrise at 6:34am this morning and only a 10-15 minute drive from my hotel to the Huffaker Hills Trailhead, I left the hotel right about 6:00am. Though, I know the official time for sunrise, I also know that it will take a few more minutes for the brilliant rays of the sun to climb over the mountain range to the east. This should give me plenty of time to reach the summit on this short, but steep trail.
When I exited my rental car at the trailhead, the air was brisk, but between the brightening east horizon and the full moon overhead, I didn't need to use the headlamp I purchased yesterday just for this purpose. The initial part of the trail is a steady incline, but nothing crazy. Soon though, the very steep part of the climb heads up and around the western side of the mountain. In the past, I've even slipped here due to the steepness and loose gravel. I had no problems today though and soon, I'm at the summit surveying all that I can see. The view of Reno and Sparks from up here has always been outstanding. To the southwest, Mount Rose and Slide Mountain, capped with early season snow rise 10,000+ feet and contain the gorgeous blue water of Lake Tahoe beyond. To the northeast, the high-rises of downtown Reno sprawl out. And to the east and southeast, the neighborhoods of hidden valley and the south Reno subdivisions spread out across the land.
Right around 6:45am, the first blinding rays of our mother star start to peak over the ridge to the north of Road to Nowhere Mountain. What a glorious way to begin the new day. Soon, the rays begin to blanket the valley laid out before me and know that I've got to head into the office soon, I make my way back down the mountain. The hike was only about 1.6 miles, but it was well worth it for the views and fresh air.
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