Steamboat Hills Hight Point

The route to the Steamboat Hills High Point gives hikers a chance to get off the marked trails and explore the undeveloped hills between south Reno's Galena/Montreaux area and Highway 395. While there are no trail markers or signs, the route is fairly easy to discern, tracing a series of meandering hills and gullies before heading off the double tracks and scrambling up the final slope to the rocky high point of the area.Along the way views of the eastern face of Slide Mountain and Mount Rose stand picturesquely above the sprawling Montreaux estates, and with snowy peaks and a little imagination you may be able to picture a rural Swiss mountain scene unraveling as you make your way higher and toward more expansive views. Washoe Lake and Washoe Valley become visible to the south, while the casinos of the Reno-Sparks area remain a constant in the distance toward the north. The path follows a network of dirt double tracks that local off roaders visit, however these hills, while fairly easily accessible, really don't see much car or foot traffic, save for a few local dog walkers along the low points. The last stretch to the peak requires heading off trail and making your own way toward the top ridgeline. If you look closely, you can follow a somewhat visible track that others have stamped down, though it's not hard to make your own way up the brushy stony landscape.At the top, buttes to the south will offer views across Washoe Valley, Geiger Grade can be seen veering up the mountains toward Virginia City to the east, metropolitan Reno is bordered by Peavine Peak to the north, and the eastern wall of the Sierras lie immediately to the west.From the top, it's possible to look down to the east to see the access road that will wrap around the summit and lead eventually back to the trailhead.There are no amenities of any kind along the trail, nor signs on the path. While cel service seemed consistent, it still may be a good idea to have an idea of the correct forks to take along your route before heading out. There is no shade along the hike.