A small portion of the Genoa Foothill Trail currently exists in Carson Valley, located on the eastern edge of the Sierra Nevada. A major expansion is planned, with construction anticipated to commence in the Spring of 2011. Once completed, this trail system will add a substantial segment to a larger trail system as envisioned in the Douglas County (Nevada) Trails Master Plan. Carson Valley Trails Association (CVTA) is a volunteer-based organization dedicated to ensure "communities connected to nature through a system of trails".

The trail system will create public access to portions of the Eastern Sierra Nevada mountain range through the Humbolt-Toyabie National Forest, with connections to the Lake Tahoe Basin and to the historic Town of Genoa, Nevada. A significant feature of the proposed trail system is that a formally established connection from the Carson Valley to the nationally recognized Tahoe Rim Trail will be constructed. Future trail segments will follow portions of the original Pony Express Route and the Old Kingsbury Grade.

Spectacular, panoramic views of the Carson Valley will be visible along the trail system.

A variety of user experiences will be available along both short and long segments. The trail will traverse and climb a portion of the Carson Range and the user will experience numerous settings, ranging from the rural, historic town of Genoa and encounters with other cultural sites along the trail, to remote canyons and diverse ecosystems. As elevation is gained the landscape will change from predominately sage brush and other high desert vegetation in the lower elevations to the Jeffery and white fir forests of the higher elevations. Beautiful water features will be either crossed or viewed along portions of the trail, and a wide diversity of wildlife may be encountered including deer and other small mammals, song birds, raptors, and reptiles.

The two existing segments of the planned trail system are remnants of logging roads in Sierra Canyon and Adams Canyon. To access the Sierra Canyon Trail, travel north of Genoa approximately 1/2 mile and turn left on Centennial Road. Centennial Road turns sharply right after a couple hundred yards. Then take a left on Snowshoe Lane and park at the end of the road where the trail heads to the north. This trail goes up Sierra Canyon for a couple miles and eventually disappears. The new Sierra Canyon Trail will follow the first 0.8 miles of this existing trail to the future Carson Valley Trail before continuing on a new route up the canyon to the Tahoe Rim Trail.

To access the portion of the Carson Valley Trail currently open, travel north of Genoa about 1.5 miles. Take a left on Adams Ranch Road, then take a right on Eagle Ridge Road. Follow up and park near the stop sign that comes down from the green water tank. The new trailhead will soon be constructed just north of this water tank. Walk past the water tank and follow the old logging road. After about 1/2 mile, the Carson Valley Trail will leave the old logging road and head south towards Sierra Canyon on a single track trail.

Technically, there are about 1.3 miles of the future trail system currently exists, 0.8 on Sierra Canyon and 0.5 on the Carson Valley Trail at Adams Canyon Trailhead. But both of these old logging roads can be walked to where they eventually end, which is about another 1.5 miles up Sierra Canyon and 2.5 miles up above Adams Canyon.

More information may be accessed at our web site: http://www.carsonvalleytrails.org.

Vertical Gain or Loss: Typically 1,000 ft gain or loss with options for up to 3,000 ft gain or loss.

Trail Distance: Approximately 24 miles, including a 9-mile loop trail segment.

The entire trail system is designed to not exceed 10% grade and 5% cross slope except for short sections, and follow U.S. Forest Service construction standards.

Dog and horse access to this trail will be determined by the environmental studies currently being conducted by the U.S. Forest Service. More information regarding dog and horse access will be available once a decision is adopted through public input and U.S. Forest Service environmental impact reviews.