Relay Peak

Photos Maps Summary: This is a relatively easy hike with most of the elevation gain coming at the end. There are wonderful views of Lake Tahoe in the beginning of the hike as well as from Relay Peak (10338'). Other interesting views include Slide Mountain, Mount Rose, and the Sierra Buttes. The parking lot for this trailhead is pretty big but it does serve multiple trails (Mt Rose, Tahoe Rim Trail to Brockway Summit or Twin Lakes, and Tahoe Meadows) and can get crowded. Distance: 9.3 miles round-tripElevation Gain/Loss: 1,560' totalSeason: mid-June through OctoberFees & Permits: None for dayhikersFinding the Trailhead: 39.3128 N, 119.8975 W (Mt Rose Summit Trailhead). Drive to the parking lot at the Mt Rose summit along NV-431 (Mt Rose Highway) ~8.1 miles northeast of the intersection with NV-28 in Incline Village. The trailhead is just to the south of the bathrooms. The Hike: Beginning from the southern side of the parking lot the trail skirts southern and western slopes of Tamarack Peak (you could take the Tahoe Rim Trail route via the Mt Rose and Galena Creek (above Galena Creek Falls) trails around the other side of Tamarack Peak by turning right almost immediately after starting the hike, but this would add ~1/2 mile one-way). This trail begins with a pretty level traverse to the west toward a service road for a radio tower just north of Relay Peak. At ~0.65 miles you drop off of the trail to the service road and continue to the west. Along the road there are some great views of Lake Tahoe to the southwest and into Washoe Valley to the southeast. The road eventually curves to the north and intersects with the trail coming up from Galena Creek Falls (Old Mt Rose Trail) ~2.75 miles from the trailhead (just after skirting around a pond). Here, you can see where you'll be headed as the major climbing section approaches. The road switchbacks its way up toward the radio tower while gaining ~705' in elevation over ~1.35 miles (~4.1 miles from the trailhead). Just south of the radio tower the trail turns to the south-southwest, follows a thin ridgeline and reaches the summit ~4.6 miles from the trailhead. While walking along this ridgeline there are great views looking down towards I-80 and the Sierra Buttes to the northwest. We recommend walking a little ways (~300 feet) past the summit to the south-southwest for better views of Lake Tahoe (views are somewhat obstructed by trees in many places). On the way back to the trailhead you could take the Galena Creek trail mentioned earlier instead of returning the same way you came (add ~0.5 miles).