Reno, Virginia City, Carson city Loop

Motorcycle Route Author

By Guest (0 McR Points) on May 31, 2007

Rider Reviews

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Guest

August 14, 2009

Great twisty turns and on the way out of Virginia…

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Vitus Zebulon

2 McR Points

November 14, 2012

Hwy 341 was repaved in 2012The road is very…

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Written Directions

The loop starts in Reno, NV. You proceed south on Hwy 395 to Hwy 341/"Geiger Grade" Road and turn left (east). Head southeast on 341 and proceed just a couple of miles to where you start up the mountain. On the way up you will encounter many hair pin turns and many sweepers. Take 341 all the way to Virginia city (approx. 10 miles) from where you turned off of hwy 395. Proceed straight through Virginia City to a fork in the road where you want to take the fork to the right which will put you on Rt 342 and through Gold Hill. Gold Hill has a haunted Hotel that is described in the book "Haunted Nevada". From Gold Hill it is a short ride to Hwy 50. where you should turn right onto Hwy 50 and proceed west to Carson City. Leave Carson City on Hwy 395 north and watch for the Washoe Valley exit which you want to take. Soon you'll come up to Franktown Road on the left. Take a left on to Franktown Road heading west and the road will skirts the foothills. At the end of Franktown rd. turn left on to Old US 395-South. This will take you all the way back to Reno and complete the loop.

Scenery

On route 341 "Geiger Grade" which starts in the Truckee meadows and ascends rapidly through a series of hair pin turns and long sweepers to the "ghost town" of Virginia City. There are many panoramic views of the valley below as well as the Sierra's on the opposite side of the valley. From Virginia City you descend rapidly connecting with hwy 50 to Carson City, the state's capital. After leaving Carson City you travel 4 miles north on Hwy 395 to Washoe Valley once exiting Hwy 395 you turn left and go under the freeway and take the frontage road approx. 1.5 miles north and turn left onto Franktown Rd. Where you will see many pastoral scenes as well as where many of the well to do folks reside. From Franktown road you turn left back onto the frontage road and go past Bowers Mansion a state park. This was a mansion built by a man that made it big during Virginia city's' Hay day. Proceeding north once again you will turn left back onto hwy 395 where it will be a short ride back to Reno.

Drive Enjoyment

By in large the pavement conditions are very good. There maybe some sand on the corners going up Geiger Grade Rd but should present no problems. Geiger Grade is very twisty and steep with many panoramic views.

Tourism Opportunities

Reno Has many fine hotels and casinos as well as the associated restraunts and places to wet your whistle. Virginia City has many places to was down the dust from the trail as well as many museums and the V&T railroad. On the way to Carson City on US 50 you will pass by many of the state's legal brothels, which may be of interest for those looking for something else to ride. The "Bucket of Blood Saloon" is a place not to be missed. Carson City is the State Capitol which has many fine places to stay and eat as well as museums (V&T Railroad Museum) and gambling establishments.