This route connects two iconic Reno landmarks: the Arch downtown on Commercial Row (perhaps the most well known Reno landmark) and Peavine summit. Peavine mountain is incredibly popular for training year round when heavy snows blanket the mountains to the south closer to Lake Tahoe. At 8,269 ft (2,520m) it is one of the most dominant features of the Reno area. This route connects the peak to the Keystone Recreation Area and Rancho San Rafael, which is a frequent access point the the trails on the mountain. Rancho also serves as the start and finish line for the Silver State 50/50 races. While there is a much shorter FKT that starts at the popular hiking trailhead for Peavine, this route travels through more of the mountain, linking the various training grounds and hiking areas, and offers the iconic starting point at Commercial Row.
The route starts at the Reno arch downtown on Virginia St. and finishes at the West peak of Peavine mountain if not doing the out-and-back. The route provided is simply an option, one should be free to choose whichever route/trails they wish between Rancho and the summit to suit their strengths as a runner. The only stipulation is that one must use Rancho as the access point to the Peavine trails by crossing under McCarran Blvd at the tunnel. This holds true for the out-and-back as well. By the route provided, one way to the summit is 12.2 miles (19.5km) with 4,061 ft (1,238m) of vertical gain. The out-and-back doubles the distance to 24.5 miles (39.8km) and makes a total of 4,396 ft (1,379m) of gain.
