Ash Canyon to Kings Canyon Trail

Dogs Off-leash

Features River/Creek · Waterfall · Wildlife

Go east on Ash Canyon Rd. from Carson City or climb from Foothill Rd. (near the baseball field at Western Nevada College) up the Ash Canyon Trails to where 4 Day and Evidence intersect and go down to Ash Canyon Rd. (make sure to keep an eye out for traffic as you come down to the road). Pass an excellent water hole for your four-legged trail partner and continue up Ash Canyon Rd. to the trailhead kiosk (signage soon to come).

Once here, drop down on the singletrack and turn right at the intersection, continuing until you intersect Ash Canyon Creek. Cross the bridge at Ash Canyon Creek and enjoy a smooth, singletrack climb up the south side of Ash Canyon.

The trail comes to a nice overlook of Carson City and then turns west and continues above Taylor Flat and back into the Ash Canyon where the climb continues to a boulder gateway. The trail then continues to follow a south by southwest trend with several switchbacks, climbing turns, twisting and turning until the first segment of the trail ends at Waterfall Rd. above treeline at a large boulder outcrop.

Take Waterfall Rd. south following the doubletrack downhill for approximately 0.6 miles and follow the singletrack down to the North Fork of Kings Canyon Creek (a right turn off of the road). Cross the bridge over the North Fork of Kings Canyon Creek and stop to enjoy the waterfall just downstream from the bridge. From here the trail goes down a series switchbacks and continues through to Kings Canyon Rd., and the second trailhead kiosk.

From here, either follow Kings Canyon Rd. down to Carson City or turn around and head back to the Waterfall Rd. intersection and enjoy the great views on the descent back into Ash Canyon and all then way down the Ash Canyon Trails to the hike and bike path near Western Nevada College and Foothill Dr.

This trail was built by Muscle Powered volunteers and by the Great Basin Institute (GBI) and is a cooperative effort between Muscle Powered, Carson City, and the USFS Humbolt-Toiyabe National Forest. Funding for bridges, the GBI crews, and tools were provided by the Recreational Trails Program. If you have any critiques, we are always looking for ways to improve and create an enjoyable "mini-vacation" experience for all users.