Outdoors

Best hike that’s not as good as it was a few weeks ago

Hunter Creek Trail

Even if you missed this spring’s epic wildflower show at Hunter Creek—it looked like Switzerland for a couple of weeks there—there’s no need to wallow in Fear Of Missing Out. In summer, the trail still boasts a lovely creek, and the narrow-ish canyon makes for afternoon shade. In fall, aspens paint the margins of the creek a luscious gold. Then there’s that waterfall almost three miles in. In winter, you can shed that FOMO altogether upon seeing a glorious, glistening, snowy, icy version of that waterfall. All this outdoor magic is just past a sign welcoming you to Mt. Rose Wilderness and still under 20 minutes from downtown Reno, thus earning it our coveted “Best of Both Worlds” award.

Andelin Family Farm

8100 Pyramid Way, Sparks

The farm dates back to the early 1900s, when the Gaspari family grew alfalfa and raised cattle on this land that lies among sagebrush-covered terrain and wetlands in the center of the Spanish Springs valley. It’s now owned by the Andelins. The family raises pigs, chickens and sheep, among other animals, and grows a variety of produce, including the squash and pumpkins which take center stage when the popular pumpkin patch and corn maze opens in October. Visitors can enjoy the changing of the season as they pick a bright orange gourd on a warm autumn day under a clear blue sky with the Sierra Nevada in the distance. The farm also offers its Baby Animal Days event in the spring, as well as a kids farm camp in summer and educational field trips throughout the year.

Best bicycle-ride destination

1. Truckee River

2. Verdi

3. Lake Tahoe

Best golf course

1. LakeRidge Golf Course

1218 Golf Club Drive, 825-2200

2. The Club at Arrow Creek

2905 Arrowcreek Parkway, 850-4653

3. Washoe County Golf Course

2601 Foley Way, 828-6640

Best local hot springs

1. Carson Hot Springs

1500 Old Hot Springs Road, Carson City, 885-8844

2. David Walley's Hot Springs Resort and Spa

2001 Foothill Road, Genoa, 782-8155

3. Steamboat Hot Springs

16010 S. Virginia St., 853-6600

Best picnic spot

1. Rancho San Rafael Regional Park

2. Idlewild Park

3. Lake Tahoe

Best place to ride a personal watercraft

1. Lake Tahoe

2. Pyramid Lake

3. Boca Reservoir

Best place to swim

1. Lake Tahoe

2. Truckee River

3. Pyramid Lake

Best snowboarding

1. Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe

22222 Mt. Rose Highway, 849-0704

2. Northstar California Resort

5001 Northstar Drive, Truckee, Calif., (800) 466-6784

3. Squaw Valley Resort

1960 Squaw Valley Road, Squaw Valley, Calif., (800) 403-0206

Best spot to hike

1. Mount Rose

2. Lake Tahoe

3. Tahoe Rim Trail

Best spot to run around naked

1. Burning Man

2. Lake Tahoe

3. Black Rock Desert Playa

Best spot to smooch under the stars

1. Windy Hill

2. Lake Tahoe

3. Burning Man

Best street for biking

1. Mayberry Drive

2. Riverside Drive

2. Plumas Street

Best ski resort

1. Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe

22222 Mt. Rose Highway, 849-0704

2. Squaw Valley Resort

1960 Squaw Valley Road, Squaw Valley, Calif., (800) 403-0206

3. Northstar California Resort

5001 Northstar Drive, Truckee, Calif., (800) 466-6784