WILD NEVADA Season 5


#501 RIVER TO RIVER
We’re going from river to river on this trip. First up, the Carson River, where we explore River Fork Ranch and learn about the partnerships that allow the Nature Conservancy to maintain the natural habitat of this region. From there it’s onward to Minden, and Bently Heritage Distillery for a tour of this beautifully appointed facility. We move on to Yerington for the night.
Next day is all about the new Walker River State Recreation Area, where we experience an eventful kayak float down the Walker River before trying our hands at trail building, a first for us.

#502 PIOCHE
Pioche is the hub for this trip. We enjoy a hike through Echo Canyon State Park that shows us the slot canyon where rustlers used to direct their stolen horses. Next, we return to Pioche and tour the historic Thompson’s Opera House, which was once a store before becoming the town’s main stage for performances. On day two we’re back out at Spring Valley State Park on a trail that quickly becomes a target for wind and rain while still revealing a striking view, then back to Pioche for a look at the Million Dollar Courthouse and it’s attached jail.

#503 ELY
We’re heading back in time from Ely to McGill, where we learn about the copper smelting that made McGill a player in the 1800s, then on to Cherry Creek, which was a mining hub for a short while even further in the past, and finally to Egan Canyon, where an often-attacked Pony Express Station once stood. Day 2 has us heading south out of Ely for a ride on the Success Loop with the OHV group known as the High Desert Trailblazers. Afterward, we head to the Ward Mountain Recreation Area for our first-ever attempt at disc golf.

#504 TAHOE FAMILY FUN
It’s a family episode, this time focused around Lake Tahoe. Chris takes her dog, Reba, for a run up to Monkey Rock with Eric Lerude of Race 178, then joins her mother, Barbara at Spooner Lake where they walk the stunning loop trail that circles the lake. Dave and his family (wife Jessica and daughter Olivia) meet Amy Berry of The Tahoe Fund for a bike ride on the new Tahoe East Shore Trail. Finally, everyone gets together for an all family experience at Taylor Creek on the south side of the lake, where the salmon spawn annually.

#505 DARK SKY TERRITORY
It’s a trip through dark sky territory. We launch from Gerlach after learning a bit about the Friends of Black Rock. After a brief stop at the art oasis known as Planet X, we move west toward the Nevada/California border and an attempt to scale Divine Peak, which is threatened by a flat tire. On Day 2 we explore the Massacre Rim area and climb the rim itself to achieve a spectacular view. That night we experience the dark skies in person and try our hand at astrophotography.

#506 GOLDFIELD TO TONOPAH
We begin in Goldfield, where new residents are sparking new business. We meet Jeri and Steve Foutz, who meet us at their eclectic gift shop and take us to the historic firehouse, which is stocked with vintage trucks, and the old high school, which is in the process of restoration, but still feels quite haunted inside. We end the day with a stop at the International Car Forest of the Last Church, which provides one of a kind sights. Day two is in Tonopah, starting at the beautifully restored Mizpah Hotel, which boasts some haunts of its own. After touring the notable locations throughout the hotel, we head up the hill to the Tonopah Mining Park, where we take a blacksmithing lesson. We make it out of this episode intact, to our relief.

#507 RED ROCK CANYON/OLD SPANISH TRAIL
We’re following a portion of the Old Spanish Trail, which cuts through Nevada from southwestern Utah through the Las Vegas Valley and into Death Valley. We’ll start a bit off the trail at Red Rock Canyon to experience parts of that area we’ve never visited before, and then after a night in Las Vegas we’ll see parts of the actual trail left behind by history as we make our way south past historic markers that inspire stories from the days when the trail was the main pathway through this region.

#508 DESERT NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE
We visit the Desert National Wildlife Refuge, where our old friend Jim Boone introduces us to the seven life zones contained within the refuge’s borders. We drive into the area known as the outback and encounter fossils from the time when this area was beneath the sea, a stunning and expansive yucca forest, and transition from the desert into the mountainous portion of the refuge where the pines dominate. On day two we delve into the Visitor Center and follow the extremely accessible interpretive trails, where we learn much about this region, including a visit to a special aquarium exhibit.

#509 CARSON CITY
The Carson City area is the hub for this trip. We introduce viewers to the state’s Capitol Building, where the state’s history is on display in the form of governors’ portraits, a frieze along the walls, the old Assembly Chamber and Supreme Court, plus the brand-new Battle Born Room, which houses fascinating artifacts telling Nevada’s story. From there it’s north to Washoe Valley and Bower’s Mansion, an enduring testament to the family that boomed and busted there. On day two we travel west of Carson City to King’s Canyon and hike to a beautiful waterfall and a glorious view of the city. We end our trip on the grounds of the Stewart Indian School, which has a new museum designed to bring visitors the stories from alumni who once lived there.

#510 LAKE MEAD NATIONAL RECREATION AREA
This episode takes place entirely within the borders of Lake Mead National Recreation Area. The day begins at Rogers Spring, where Chris and Chelsea Kennedy enjoy the natural beauty and entertaining story of the spring. From there they head south to experience the Bowl of Fire, which is a short hike away from the highway and provides colorful views of a rocky landscape. It’s on to Boulder City for the night. Day 2 takes an unexpected turn with a weather cancellation, so we take the opportunity to show a pair of segments previously unseen by audiences.

#511 TAHOE WINTER FUN
The Lake Tahoe area is a source of great winter fun, and we set out to show a number of activities. First up, a snowshoe excursion at Carson Pass with Ben Spillman, the Outdoor Reporter for the Reno Gazette-Journal. Ben leads us on a journey to Winnemucca Lake, which has frozen over and makes for an otherworldly destination. We end our day a few miles down the road at Markleeville, with a soak in Grover Hot Springs. Next morning we’re at Tahoe City, CA for a lesson in cross country skiing at Tahoe XC, a nonprofit that promotes and teaches skiing. Our lesson ends with a beautiful Tahoe view and a desire for more cross country in the future. Next, it’s a first experience with curling, at Lake Tahoe Epic Curling in Stateline. We learn the basics and play a mock game, which teaches us a new appreciation for this unusual sport. The show ends at Tahoe Meadows and one good sled run.

#512 BEST OF SEASON 5
Our “best of season 5” episode is unique. With COVID-19 precluding travel, we find ways to have solo adventures near our own neighborhoods. Dave attempts to scale a peak he has long seen on neighborhood walks and about which he has always been curious. Chris tackles a trail run in the Sierra Nevada that leads to a wonderful view of Washoe Valley. Along the way, we introduce four of our favorite segments from the season.