Photos from our first hike of 2021. Washoe Lake Gazebo Trail in Northern Nevada – January 10, 2021.

Overview – Gazebo Trail.

This was our first hike of 2021 and we went to a trail that I’m quite familiar with – Washoe Lake Gazebo Trail (AKA Deadman’s Overlook Trail). The views are absolutely breathtaking – as you can see by the photos. You’re high enough to see the whole landscape and take it all in but low enough that you know you could go even higher if you wanted to.

It’s such a beautiful mix of different types of nature. There are mountains across the way, there is a lake within reach, there are countless boulders, and depending on the exact trail you take you could be walking on slippery sand, on man put gravel, or on good old dirt. It’s just a magnificent feeling to overlook the lake and see the mountains reflecting in that crystal clear lake water.

The Essentials.

I come here every so often with a back pack stuffed with some essentials, climb up the trial to a spot a bit above where those photos were taken, and just forget about the rest of the world. Elaborating on what my “essentials” are – they would be the following: sunblock (it’s a must), a book or an e-reader, headphones, a charged phone, and a good snack. Oh, and plus any other items I decided to bring to just protect myself in nature.

Just Feels Right.

Sitting on top of a mountain with rocks as your pillows just feels right sometimes. Sometimes that’s what your body, your soul, needs.. and that’s okay. Being away from the world, listening to your headphones at max volume and looking out at an endless mountain range can be the refresher you need to get back on track. I speak from experience.

I’ll leave you with two more photos that weren’t taken on this particular day but are still worth sharing.

I know those photos above provide a clear, sunny sky with see yourself in it’s reflection water but I want to share a photo from a day where it was a bit windy and cloudy just to show you that the beauty of this place doesn’t go away when the sun hides a bit. But, if I’m being honest, on most days it at least peeks out for a little while to say hi.

And finally to finish this off – While you were reading this you may have thought huh… it’s called the “something something gazebo trail” right? Well where’s the gazebo? Here’s a photo of it in all of it’s glory with the sun lighting it up.

In conclusion, it sure was a great first hike of 2021. I know I say “Get Cozy, Stay Awhile” but to end this one I’ll also say “Get Outdoors, Take an Adventure.”

In case you’re interested here is the All Trails page for this particular hike.

Be sure to visit my Instagram to see another breathtaking photo from this hike.

More Landscape photos here.