Hobart Reservoir in the Carson Range

The Hobart Reservoir is located in the Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park between Carson City and Marlette Lake. This is a fishing lake (rainbow, brook, and cutthroat trout) at an elevation of 7,650 feet in the Carson Range [1]. A camp ground and scenic picnic spots are found next to it. Mike White notes that Carson City still uses water from Hobart Reservoir as part of the municipal water supply [2].

The Hobart Reservoir holds water back from running down Franktown Creek. Originally, this reservoir was part of the water infrastructure for the mining operations in Virginia City and Gold Hill. According to information given on an interpreted panel at the Red House, further down the creek, the Hobart Dam collapsed twice: on February 13, 1911, caused by ice, and again in 1955 by a not mentioned cause.  

Getting there
There are various options to hike or bike to the Hobart Reservoir, for example, from the Lakeview Gate Trailhead at the end of Hobart Road in northwest Carson City. Just follow the trail to the “Ghost of the Sawmill” and continue on for about 1.5 miles. I have met families with little children climbing up and down to the reservoir so they can enjoy floating and swimming on a water surface surrounded by mountainous scenery.  Mountain bikers may get to Hobart Reservoir by starting from places in the Lake Tahoe area such as Incline Village and Spooner Lake.

References
[1]  Hobart Reservoir: www.ndow.org/fish/where/waters/west/2009/14_hobart_reservoir_2009.pdf.
[2] “Hobart Road to Hobart Reservoir” on pages 271 to 273 in Mike White's hiking guide Afoot & Afield • Reno-Tahoe • A comprehensive hiking guide. Wilderness Press, Berkeley, California, 2nd printing November 2008.