Discovery Trail: viewing Genoa from above

Carson Range slopes north of Genoa

The Discovery Trail is a 5.4-mile-long single-track trail going halfway around Genoa by traversing slopes and canyons of the Carson Range on the west side of this historic town in Nevada. The trail constitutes the upper portions of the 6.2-mile-long Eagle Ridge Loop and the 8.2-mile-long Genoa Loop of the Genoa Trail System.

The scenic Discovery Trail leads through U.S. Forest Land. The pine and fir forest opens along the trail for varying views of Genoa landmarks, the Carson Valley and the Pine Nut Mountains. The path—slightly going up and down between elevations of 5,000 and 6,000 feet—is well-graded in most of its sections.

Discovery Trail's north end is the Eagle Ridge Trail access point at 5,200 feet. For two miles, the Discovery Trail is part of the Eagle Ridge Loop, which integrates Eagle Ridge Road, a short section of Jacks Valley Road, Genoa's Centennial Drive and Snowshoe Lane as well as the lower two miles of the Sierra Canyon Trail into its circuit.  

Heading south on the Discovery Trail from the Eagle Ridge trail kiosk, you will get—after two miles—to the Sierra Canyon Trail, switchbacking up to the Tahoe Rim Trail (TRT) along a 7.6-mile-long ascend. Continuing on Discovery Trail for a 0.2 mile, you will reach its junction with the two-mile-long downhill portion of the Sierra Canyon Trail. Continuing further south from this junction via Schoolhouse Canyon to Genoa Canyon, you will reach the Genoa Waterfall. The Discovery Trail continues east for another 0.9 mile, from where switchbacks lead downhill through challenging terrain to the Genoa Canyon Trail access point at the end of Carson Street.  

Getting to the Eagle Ridge Trail Access
The Discovery Trail is part of the Genoa Trail System. A map can also be viewed or downloaded via the Maps menu of my Explore Reno-Tahoe Portal.
From Genoa's Mormon Station State Park, drive north on Jacks Valley Road for about a mile and turn left onto Eagle Ridge Road. Follow this road uphill for another mile and turn left onto Timberline Road. Trailhead parking is found past the green water tank.
Coming from Carson City and driving south on Jacks Valley Road, you may want to turn right onto Adams Ranch Road and drive up to the water tank, which you can see in the Carson Range foothills, west of Jacks Valley Road.
Consult the previous posts on how to get to the Sierra Canyon and Genoa Canyon trail access points.