Mt. Rose Hill Climb

The Mt. Rose Hill Climb is a fundraiser for Washoe County Search & Rescue, a non-profit team that provides year-round technical Search and Rescue services to the Washoe County community and surrounding mountains, rivers, lakes and deserts. https://www.washoesar.org/

IMPORTANT RACE COURSE UPDATE (JULY 18, 2026):

Due to a new directive from the U.S. Forest Service, we have been asked to alter part of our race route. We apologize for the unexpected change, however, we think we've come up with a pretty great alternative, and we think you'll agree!

This year's course will still involve an awesome hill climb through the Sierra Nevada Mountains for an out-and-back course of just under 10 miles. And similar to last year, the route will start and end at the Mt. Rose Summit Trailhead, where participants will make their way up the Mt. Rose Summit Trail, through Forest Service land overlooking scenic vistas of Lake Tahoe and surrounding peaks.

However, once reaching the waterfall, participants will take a left turn past the waterfall and wind up the switchbacks, before meeting Relay Peak Rd. There, participants will follow this dirt road to an impressive ridge trail leading to the 10,338 ft. summit of Relay Peak! After taking in the views and celebrating making it to the top of Relay Peak, participants will turn around and follow the ridgeline back the way they came, until joining Relay Peak Rd. From there, participants will enjoy this dirt road the majority of the way back to the trailhead for a fast and fun downhill finish!

The course will be well marked, and volunteers will be stationed at intersections to keep everyone on route. 

We are working to post a map of the new course soon!

Prizes will be awarded to the top three finishers in each category (running up and back down Relay Peak), as well as to the overall fastest runner in each category to summit. 

*Although we'll do our best to provide accurate timing, please note this event is being timed with stop watches by search and rescue volunteers, not professional race timers. Please be courteous to all volunteers, enjoy racing our Annual Hill Climb, and thank you for supporting your local Search and Rescue Team!

Looking for more ways to support Washoe County Search and Rescue (WCSAR)? Use the link on the top of this page to donate!

Interested in becoming a race sponsor? Sponsorships received before August 1st may be eligible for business promotion on our race t-shirt and other materials. Contact WCSAR using the form below to learn more.

*This event is sanctioned by USA Track and Field (USATF.org)

Additional Details (the specifics):

Important Dates:
Packet Pickup
Friday, September 11th, from 4:00pm-6:30pm
Reno Running Company, Summit location
13987 S Virginia St, Reno, NV 89511
*Please make every effort to pick up your packet on Friday to ensure a smooth race day start on Saturday morning. We appreciate your understanding and assistance!

 
Race Day!
Saturday, September 12th
Please arrive between 6:30am and 7am to secure parking and check-in.
6:30-7am packet pickup for anyone not able to pick up their race packets on Sept. 12.
7:30am-8:30am: Race start! (Staggered start)
10:30am: Awards Ceremony
*Raffle drawing periodically throughout the day
 
Parking:
Please carpool if possible. Parking is limited!
Due to USFS permit requirements, we are limited to parking in the dirt lots to either sides of the large, paved parking area. Participants are not allowed to park in the main, paved lot. If the dirt lots are full, be prepared to be DROPPED OFF and park elsewhere, or PARK FURTHER UP THE ROAD AND WALK to the race start.
 
Aid Stations:
Be prepared and self sufficient with the water and snacks you will need to complete the event. There will be water-only aid stations available, however due to the remote nature of the trail, if we run out of water we cannot easily refill.

1. The first Aid Station will be located about 3 miles from the race start (~mile 3 from race start).
2. Participants will then summit Relay Peak, and come back down, reaching this Aid Station again approximately 4 miles later (~mile 7).
3. Finally, participants will reach the finishing about 2.7 miles later, will there will be water and snacks.

*Again, please bring snacks and water with you. If we run out of water we cannot easily refill.  
 
Dropping/ DNF's (Did Not Finish):
If you need to drop out of the event for any reason, you must notify the nearest aid station or start/finish line volunteer. We will initiate a search for any participant who is not accounted for at the end of the day. This uses up important resources that may be needed for emergencies elsewhere.

Weather:
Please check the weather ahead of time and be prepared. We plan to hold this event rain or shine, except for extreme conditions or safety concerns.

Thank you for supporting Washoe County Search and Rescue!