Where was the California Emigrant Trail as it traveled through Reno and Sparks, Nevada?

Lets look at the route that early pioneers and gold rushers used as they crossed through our area - the Truckee Meadows - interesting to anyone that is into Reno, history and the Oregon and California Trails. After coming off of the miserable crossing of the Forty Mile Desert, those that chose the Truckee River Route (including the Donner Party) came right through our area - I'll show you where!
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This is the place to learn interesting things about Reno, the state of Nevada and the American west! I've lived in Reno for 38 years (as an adult!). I've had a lifelong interest in history, and spend much time exploring and researching this wonderful area. I started this channel to share some of what I've learned. I produced a full-length documentary film on the history of Reno's Harolds Club casino in 2015.
Perhaps you're thinking of moving to Reno and are looking for background on the area, or you're already a resident and this content might help give you a sense of place. I shall endeavor to cater to both groups!
I'm also a craft beer enthusiast, and thought I'd talk about some of that scene here as well. I started homebrewing in 1992, and earned the Certified Cicerone designation in 2015 - this is a sommelier-like program for beer people.
Please subscribe, share and come along with me on this journey! Thanks and cheers!
Steve

[@kristinguelmine6565]

This video brought so many memories of old Reno . When I was a kid in 1977 we moved to donner springs from sparks . Their were only two streets spring drive and are street snowshoe ln . There used to be a pond and an old tree that sprung out over the water. There also was two petrified trees ! A cross used to be on top of the mountain. It was the resting place of a dog . I always imagined the animal probably came from capurro ranch on the opposite side of mountain. In later years my father built a house out on pyramid hwy. At the time of purchase my father was told the old trail ran across the property.

[@nvwood8394]

We moved to Reno in 1968, grew up in the west part of town, just down the street from the bridge that collapsed apparently in the 50's. In the early 70's the all wooden bridge on Mayberry Drive collapsed under the weight of a long haul truck carrying strawberries. This was a wooden bridge not meant for trucks, but the 4th Street (previously Hwy 40) exit from I-80 had entry to Mayberry. My father actually went down to the river and collected one of the many huge timbers and made it into a bench for the back patio.

[@SteveTRYK]

Cool - do you still have the bench?

[@rudyrissone4298]

I got timbers to. Also picked strawberries in the river that Mom made jam. The SSPC flum also got washed out and those logs came down. The Mayberry route crossed the river at Verdi and Donner trail went over Dog Vally. Past stampeed reservoir. A rout also stated on North side off Truckee River through Sparks and over 7th street. That way they didn't have cross river. Savage Ranch provided food for travelers and livestock at Glendale.

[@oldgeezerproductions]

As soon as I got out of the service in 69, I enrolled at the University of Nevada, Reno. I had a wonderful experience at what was then a small, old, very cozy little university with John Mackay leaning on his pickax and looking across the quad to Morrill Hall. After grad school, I lived in Northern Nevada until the late 70's when I had to locate to the Central Coast of California for my career. I loved the history of this area, especially the mining history and got to know Virginia City, Gold Hill and where all the mines had been. If things would have worked out differently, I'd still be up there, even though everything has grown up, changed, not for the better and many of my favorite places and treasured scenic areas were obliterated and heavily urbanized decades ago. My darling little old university, with its Lincoln Hall, Mackay Mines and brick buildings that Clarence Mackay had donated, has been turned into a modern campus that could rival any Cal State or UC campus. Oh those dear dead days of yore.

[@SteveTRYK]

Thanks for your service - and your kind comments!

[@oldgeezerproductions]

@@SteveTRYK It is my turn to thank you for presenting a very interesting video Steve. I sincerely wish I would have known about the California Trail going through parts of the Washoe Valley because, as part of my historical interest in this area during the 19th Century, I would have loved to walk over some of that ground when I lived up there. Back in my day, it seemed there were many fewer fences and restrictions and I wandered to many places that today would be closed. Your mention of those street names hit me like an electric shock and triggered vivid memories, they were once so familiar.

[@chuckmyers7698]

I've always been fascinated with the pioneers that came west in wagons. Everytime I cross through Nevada I try to imagine the hardship they endure. Some real hardy folks. Thanks to people like you that care that keeps their memories alive.

[@SteveTRYK]

I appreciate your comments! Cheers!

[@johnm6399]

Awesome, I love Reno, my daughter moved out there 4 years ago and she loves it. I have been there myself to visit, and i can understand why she left the Philadelphia area, it's beautiful>

[@SteveTRYK]

Thanks! Glad she likes it here!

[@philipps3988]

Definitely THE best local channel - always super informative, down to interesting facts and nice tit-bits of history! Keep up the great work!! Loving it!

[@SteveTRYK]

Thanx for the kind words! I appreciate your viewership!

[@chasetonga]

*tidbits, not tit-bits

[@philipps3988]

@@chasetonga hahahaha thank you!!! Seemed weird when typing it! But we all can agree: still awesome videos with tons of cool information!

[@FFonzo]

I love this channel!

[@SteveTRYK]

Thanx!

[@POVLA]

Great video! Really enjoyed the easy walk through history! Much appreciated!

[@SteveTRYK]

Our pleasure!

[@Goodshaft]

Go behind Silver Lake off Highway 88, there's a 4wd trail there and they have wagon wheel tracks craved into the rock on the trail, along with rust on the rocks from the outer ring of the wagon wheels. There was a settlement name Allen there at one time with signs that tell you what was there. This also is the Carson trail as well.

[@SteveTRYK]

Cool!

[@LaVaqueraMarin]

GREAT SHOW!

[@SteveTRYK]

Thanks!

[@charlieharper4975]

thank you

[@SteveTRYK]

You're welcome!

[@RobertJl9516]

Thank you for the great information. I have had the same thoughts about where the California emigrant trail came through. I watched and listened carefully. Very good delivery and well done video.

[@SteveTRYK]

I appreciate your feedback - thanx for watching!

[@johnstephen7610]

Another great video. Thanks for all these. And I like including the outtake at the end. That's a nice touch.

[@SteveTRYK]

I honestly did not know the wasps had a nest there until I saw it reviewing the footage back in the edit bay!!

[@rockwithjerry]

Awesome video! It’s amazing how there are remnants, from so many years ago, literally in our backyard. On a sidenote, I love how you are using the drone, and your audio is great. Very polished, I’m jealous. I know how much work it takes to make these. Someone noticed, It is appreciated.. Keep the great content coming.👏🏻

[@SteveTRYK]

Thanx! I've been working on the technical aspects - glad you noticed!

[@SpaceCowboy-u7j]

Recently discovered this channel and subscribed. LOVE THIS STUFF!!! SO BLESSED TO BE LIVING UP HERE! ✝️🇺🇸🥳🥳🥳🥳

[@SteveTRYK]

Cheers! Thanks for taking the time!

[@pauld2913]

Awesome video, and thanks for posting!

[@SteveTRYK]

Always my pleasure!

[@greenfire710]

My great grandmothers family came in the early 1860's. They came off the Oregon Trail, got lost and arrived at Honey Lake then over to Truckee Meadows. From there, they went a little north to Beckworth Pass and followed the emigrant trail towards Lake Almanore and then to Chico. Finally homesteaded in Gridley. She was about 8 years old and road a pony from Missouri.

[@SteveTRYK]

Cool! Thanks for sharing!

[@joestephan1111]

One Sunday my buddy Bill Lott, who owned the Fiber Craft dune buggy and off-road performance shop on the east side of Reno/Sparks, led a group of mountain bicycle riders on a trip up the emmigrant route toward Trukee. His heart wouldn't hold out and gave up. It was a privilege to now him. RIP Bill.

[@SteveTRYK]

Right on.

[@timtaylor7680]

Nothing better than a good IPA 🍺 after the end of a hot day! I enjoy the history so close to home.

[@nicholasbeck1558]

Lovely, pleasant, informative presentation preserving the history of the immigrant trail. Thanks. Terrific video. :)

[@SteveTRYK]

Many thanks!

[@OwO---Drunk_Seulgi---OwO]

Great job on the channel! Greetings from your neighbors in Pizen Switch!

[@SteveTRYK]

Hey, thanks!

[@briansmith7094]

I really enjoy your content and hope to see more.

[@SteveTRYK]

Oh, there will be more! Thanks for watching!

[@scotdeutschlander1396]

Great episode! First one I’ve seen . I’ve subscribed and look forward to more videos. Fantastic information! I also got a kick out of you saying you don’t follow professional sports. Can’t stand them myself! I’d rather spend that time learning some history! 💪🏼🇺🇸😆

[@SteveTRYK]

Welcome aboard! Thanx!

[@brianc6218]

Always learn something interesting from your videos! Keep up the excellent work.

[@SteveTRYK]

Thanks for hanging out!!

[@Sshooter444]

Really great, thanks for your dedication and hard work!

[@SteveTRYK]

I appreciate your viewership!

[@3sierra15]

Now that I've seen your video can't wait to visit for myself. Thank you! Subscribed.

[@SteveTRYK]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@glenjones9758]

At about 11:00 minutes into your video, hidden valley has a fenced area with a marker. Near the marker you can see the wagon wheel marks in the stone.

[@SteveTRYK]

Thanks for the info!

[@Dr_Bombay]

W A S P S ! ! you're fortunate they didn't have hatching larva... they turn instantly evil and super aggressive then! i've had them chase me and repeatedly sting my head when i accidentally got too close to a nest in my back yard. great video, as always!

[@SteveTRYK]

Yeah - I don't need to get into it with bees! Thanks!

[@scottprather5645]

Good video and thank you so much for not having irritating sound effects in the background😮 The lady I bought my house from in San Diego in 2003 moved to Reno. The early History of the western United States is quite fascinating. Enjoy your IPA 👍

[@SteveTRYK]

Thanks - I did!

[@gregboyden564]

thanks for the great history lesson! learned alot with the intricate detail.

[@SteveTRYK]

Glad to help illuminate! We live in such a cool area!

[@gregboyden564]

@@SteveTRYK keep sending these bits of history. we love it

[@xflyingtiger]

Nice video. Thanks for your time that it took to make it. Some of my ancestors traveled along this trail.

[@SteveTRYK]

Very cool! Thanx!

[@markfrench8892]

You have some of the most fascinating videos ever. I'm glad I found your channel. And yes, I subscribed quite a while back.

[@SteveTRYK]

Thanks for your kind comments!

[@paulkalff6408]

Thank you, Steve! Just subscribed! My late mother was a lifelong friend of a daughter of UC Berkeley scholar and California historian, Herbert Eugene Bolton. As a high schooler and history major, I had the opportunity to read several of "HeeBee's" works, both in bound volumes and more or less in pamphlet format. I greatly enjoy your narration and bits of historical "trivia" that combined make your travels and videos so enjoyable to watch. My mother and her parents were family friends of the Raggios, Tryons, and Carleys of Angels Camp. We took our vacations in the Sierras in the Carson, Monitor, and Ebbetts Passes....she always gave us the local stories from the Gold Rush years into the early '40s in and around Angels that she had heard from the "old timers" while helping drive the Zumwalt's cattle into the summer ranges from Altaville or Angels in the mid-1920s to mid-30's. Thanks, again for the very fine presentations.

[@SteveTRYK]

Great comments - thanx!

[@stephenshanahan7247]

You do a great job with your videos. They are extremely interesting and informative. Keep up the great work!

[@SteveTRYK]

Thanks, will do!

[@UVJ_Scott]

Back in the 1960’s you could still see wagon paths and broken and discarded wagon parts in the Sierra Nevada mountains in California.

[@SteveTRYK]

I've heard that - crazy that stuff lasted as long as it did!

[@derricks8818]

Love these videos! I lived in Reno and Sparks for just under a year in '05 before moving back home to flat cold gray Dayton OH. Had all that out there to explore at my finger tips and barely touched the surface! Ugh Hope your channel explodes!

[@SteveTRYK]

Thanks! You can live vicariously through the experiences of this channel. Cheers!

[@JakeRuana-ir5mv]

Repping that Frankie’s tiki bar shirt is so cool

[@SteveTRYK]

Love me some Frankie's!!!

[@glennfrancosimmons]

Another excellent, informative video. On Saliman, in Carson City, there is a sign for the California Trail.

[@SteveTRYK]

There is! Thanks for watching!

[@salvadorhurtado3704]

New subscriber here ! I’m really enjoying how informative the channel is. I’m looking forward to the next episodes I get to watch.

[@SteveTRYK]

Thanks for checking in to The Reno You Know!!

[@alancamper7796]

Wonderful video. I’ve always wanted to research that part of the trail. Thank you for your hard work.

[@SteveTRYK]

Thanks for watching!

[@jeffreyellison2252]

Another great video (I would argue: your best yet)! Enjoy the cold one!

[@SteveTRYK]

Thanx!!!

[@Rickster5176]

Very interesting and very well done. I learned a lot. Thank you.

[@SteveTRYK]

Glad it was helpful!

[@garyduran1]

I’m in Pollock Pines California. There are trail west markers right behind my house at Old Carson Road and a few more within a few miles of each other.

[@SteveTRYK]

Trails West has been diligent!

[@psychosneighbor1509]

Lovin' your immigrant trail videos. Subbed!

[@SteveTRYK]

Thanks for watching!

[@michaelgalea5148]

Hello I just found your channel on KZbin. Thank you for the historical information you provided.

[@SteveTRYK]

Thanks for watching!

[@annaleeblysse]

Years and years ago my mom was gardening and found a big rusty, handmade nail that would have fallen off some wagon passing by in the 1800s. I don’t know what ever happened to that nail. But I recognized seeing similar nails in museums around the West.

[@bradleyjanes2949]

Great vid , my great grandfather came thru there ,TY cheers

[@SteveTRYK]

Very cool - thanks!

[@k24_dc5]

Born on Nov 5th, 1990 @ washoe hospital when renown was called washoe. 2024 I'm still here with my family by the Lord Jesus Christ's grace and mercy ❤

[@SteveTRYK]

Glad to have you here with us!

[@russelbaird3342]

St. Joe Mo. was the start of the Pony Express , Independence Mo. is where the California , Santa Fe, and Oregon trails began . The wagons were outfitted near where the town square is and the trails spread out to their respective directions . Every year there is a celebration called SantaCaliGon that celebrates the trails . Yep I live in Independence .

[@SilvasSmallMining]

New subscriber here! Great channel! I love the history! Take care.

[@SteveTRYK]

Thanks for the sub!

[@1800luce]

Super interesting! Thanks for the content!

[@SteveTRYK]

Glad you liked!!

[@nv9811]

Keep Nevada historic stories alive… remember it’s Nevada not California… great 👍🏻 job….. We love our Nevada. God bless America 🇺🇸

[@SteveTRYK]

Battle Born! Cheers!

[@jerrybuzzard8147]

I agree with one of the other comments. Mayberry bridge didn’t come down in the 50’s but in the mid 70’s. A heavy truck full of strawberries brought it down. I was having lunch by the water and was amazed as 3or 4 berries floated by where I was.

[@SteveTRYK]

You are correct - I got the date right in my Dog Walks episode, but blew it here! Cheers!

[@coolbreeze253]

Visited Bully's on our last visit to Reno from Atlanta in 10/23. Our son is also a beer aficionado so I have him take us to places you mention. Never a disappointment!

[@SteveTRYK]

Cool - thanks!

[@SlackHoffman]

What’s Up Steve’O 💪🎸🤘🗿💥👊✊🤙

[@SteveTRYK]

Yo!

[@oldscoutgp]

Nice work Steve! Enjoy that well deserved IPA. Over the mountain in Auburn, is the Knee Deep Brewery. Next time your down the west side stop in for a Breaking Bud.

[@hirosstorageunit]

Thank you for this vid. So much fun

[@SteveTRYK]

Thanks for watching!

[@IsaacWilsonSantiago]

I have hit subscribe several times. Maybe I have run out of subscriptions. However, I love your videos and content. keep it I will keep hitting like for now.

[@SteveTRYK]

Thanks for your support!

[@od1452]

Thanks. I find this interesting. I was largely raised in Fernley , Reno and the Serra Valley across the border. I lived near Rattlesnake Mountain. We used to hike there and swim in the small Lake that was near. (forgot its name) . There were many stories that people traveled up from Reno , mount Beckworth Pass and travel down the Feather River ..... You should feature Roy Davis who invented what we call Jeans today. He was from Reno as I'm sure you know.

[@SteveTRYK]

Cool - thanks!

[@tormenta2254]

Great video and a great beer. Bully's was recently sold to an investment group in Vegas. A local family business it once was.

[@SteveTRYK]

Didn't know about the sale! Thanks!

[@LMNevada]

An old NV native, Girdin Harris, told me you could look across that golf course and see the wagon tracks,

[@SteveTRYK]

That would be so cool if you could!

[@rarecj8jeep187]

Remember the strawberries floating down the river.

[@Reindeer_Games]

Cool stuff

[@SteveTRYK]

Thanx!

[@littlehooligans2702]

Dig you videos man. 👍🏻

[@SteveTRYK]

I appreciate that!

[@markthomas4083]

Great documentary. I don’t follow sports either. I used to but, now sports don’t do much for me. Darnd 🐝.

[@jbenziggy]

Cool video. I notice something in your drone shot of the river and the railroad nearby. At about 3:59 in I see some sticks or something outlining what looks like it might be a grave. Did you catch that? Do you know what it is?

[@SteveTRYK]

Good catch! I didn't see that - I'm guessing it's not a grave but next time I'm by there I'll check it out! Thanks sir!!

[@danawalkerley1395]

The golf course you mentioned was also the original airport in Lindbergh’s days

[@SteveTRYK]

Early airport there for sure - there's a marker for it too.

[@genechronister7085]

The California trail markers on Larson and Cunningham roads in coleville and walker ca. Are still standing!

[@Lion_McLionhead]

Intriguing how hasting's cutoff became the mane route eventually & the oregon trail was all but abandoned.

[@XNTN808]

There were wagon tracks and discarded hardware from wagons and tack where the Tanamera/Damonte Ranch is now located. Also, at Mayberry Park there were many pieces of the same hardware, nails, and pulleys, perhaps from cables and ropes running across the river. If you look around the tracks there may still be some of the same relics that appear after a rain and snow melt. I suspect there are a lot of burn pits with bottles and meat bones and whatever else they tossed away in that area buried deep. If that ground was not so hard it may be possible to probe down and find a few of them.

[@SteveTRYK]

I'd love to see those locations looked by something like a dig crew from UNR. Cheers!

[@470ohio]

Do one on the Truckee River Murder House. Love your videos

[@SteveTRYK]

Thanks - not familiar with that - please email me.

[@edwardadams9358]

I grew up in Jackson, California, and always wondered about the "Emigrant Trail", knowing that the great influx to the area was composed of IM-igrants because of the Gold Rush. It was only much later in my adult life that I found out the reason. The trail, from Sacramento, across to the route of Hwy 88 was pioneered by LDS members heading to Salt Lake to join their brethren. Many had enlisted in the US army and marched from Kansas to SoCal to help with the freeing of California only to find it a done deal when they arrived. They were mustered out, worked at various jobs up and down the state and some group pioneered that route over the Sierra, emigrating to Utah.

[@SteveTRYK]

Check out my "Gold Rush Ghost Road" episode - I went through that story. Thanks for watching!

[@mtbalpinecounty]

💪 Id be interested in meeting you. Ive been riding many sections since 1988.. Alpine county is my local..

[@RobertWestfall-w3k]

When that bridge fell in 75 . truck hauling strawberries. River was full of green strawberries baskets

[@SoloPilot6]

I'm considering the irony of having a big picnic at Donner Party Park.

[@SteveTRYK]

I see what you did there! ;-)

[@robertmartin2604]

Thanks Steve for your content! My G-G Grandfather came to CA in 1853 with his pregnant 16 yo wife and settled in Forbestown up from Oroville. I imagine he took the hwy 80 Sierra crossing route because of the Forbestown connection. One thing I have noticed on many trips on hwy 80 is there does appear to be old road bed above the hwy as you travel on the westbound direction. Could these short sections be remnants of the original trail? They appear shored up with rock walls. Thanks again for your work!

[@SteveTRYK]

Thanks! If you're able to see anything that looks like a road, it surely is later than the emigration period. These folks just wanted to get through as fast as they could - no time for road-building! Cheers!

[@MichaelMcCausland-pg6qs]

I have a diary of the last group of my family arriving in 1851. We first arrived in California 1799. You can clearly see that the trail was barely marked.

[@SteveTRYK]

Cool!

[@MichaelMcCausland-pg6qs]

@@SteveTRYK it was the young women who kept the trains together and these were 13 and 14-year-old women

[@robertross4108]

I was hoping you would direct the trail from Verdi back over the hills to Stampeed to the camp on 89 where the George Donner camp was. We lives in Glenshire west 6 miles of Truckee. We were just close to the Truckee River near Hirshdale.

[@SteveTRYK]

Possibly on a future installment!

[@shsrailroader]

17:35 the George Donner camp is pretty cool you can see where they cut down the trees about 20' high due to the depth of the snow. It gives you a perspective of what they were facing.​@@SteveTRYK

[@NBZW]

The main entrance to California by the pioneers was via the Oregon trail, then down from Oregon into Northern California. Other routes were established later.

[@donmckechnie9858]

Nice work! If you are a Washoe Co guy you may be interested in OLLI reno. Senior learners group that does some history also,

[@SteveTRYK]

I gave a presentation to them several years ago on Harolds Club - great group!

[@donmckechnie9858]

@@SteveTRYK Your programs are really great. OllI (Osher Lifelong Learning Institute) is a program for older folks. You should join (it's cheap) and share your information with these guys and gals. Age is 50 to dead and it is fun.

[@erents1]

You can ride many parts of the emigrant trail if you ride the Tahoe Pyramid Legacy Trail on a non motorized mountain bike.

[@SteveTRYK]

Good info - thanx!

[@joeoutabout2947]

I've lived in the area as long as you have, but aside from the Donner Party Park. I didn't know about the markers or the exact route they took. If they went that far south to cross the valley, I'm curious if the area near the river was a marsh and if the river meandered across the valley instead of making a straight shot like it does today.

[@SteveTRYK]

Conditions have changed a lot since those days - marshes drained, water rerouted. etc.

[@goobtechgarage114]

Great video. One thing, those are feral horses not “wild“. No such thing as wild horses in America. Invasive horses would be a more accurate description.

[@SteveTRYK]

True - but then the song wouldn't be as cool... "Feral horses... couldn't drag me away!" ;-)

[@returnedfrompanama]

I always wondered why they didn't strictly follow the Truckee River?

[@SteveTRYK]

topography!

[@jeeperman19]

Love the history. Music could stand to be lower volume. It's distracting from the story. Keep up the good work!

[@SteveTRYK]

Thanks, will do!

[@billmm4136]

Thanks for finding all those markers, maybe if you were supported by a local tv affiliate you would get access to more historical sites. I realize that might not be ideal for you, just a thought.

[@SteveTRYK]

With enough YT channel support I'd be in the same position - thanks!

[@susann3772]

The horses wanted food

[@SteveTRYK]

They did, but I had no Purina Horse Chow.

[@unr74]

How is Eddie by the way?

[@SteveTRYK]

Eddie is living a dog's life one day at a time - and he's glad the heat spell is over (for now)!

[@LenTrout-fn1of]

Very nice report on the different committees. As a youngster my family was involved with the original markings. Including the court differences. I have an original signed book from NETMC and have ridden the trail(s) with photos posted on my channel. Interested please contact me.

[@LenTrout-fn1of]

I have the photo of Gov. Mike presenting award at Coliseum.

[@SteveTRYK]

Cool - thanks!

[@highalpine7321]

🪧🐝

[@bobgoss8930]

Should it be called the migrant trail?

[@SteveTRYK]

emigrant - not immigrant... I've seen that mixed up so many times!

[@Californiansurfer]

❤Mexico established this 550 years ago. The true pioneers are spanish and Mexicano. Great book to read Latinoland.

[@gaylebadgley1200]

Good video enjoy the information. Why do you have a girls ponytail? Don’t understand men that have to have ponytails.

[@SteveTRYK]

It keeps the hair away when I'm brushing my teeth!

[@weirdshibainu]

Too bad Reno has been subject to Californication