561 Crystal Park Rd, Verdi, NV 89439

Crystal Peak Park

Park Description:

Crystal Peak Park is a 56-acre Washoe County park with restrooms. Located along the Truckee River and offering ponds and an interpretive loop, this park is a well-known area for birding and exploring the Truckee Meadows' wildlife and history.

Park Amenities:

Interpretive trails, picnic area, barbeque area, and tables/benches.

Park Contact Information:

Washoe County Parks and Open Space (775) 828-6612

Park Highlights

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Park History

Click the image to read each topic's full text!

Verdi Lumber Company

During the 1860’s, this area was used by the Verdi Lumber Company for harvesting and processing timber collected from the surrounding mountainsides. The lumber produced was used for the construction of the mines in Virginia City as well as for railroad ties. Some of the timber was even shipped as far away as Arizona.

The area that is now Crystal Peak Park, hosted the Verdi Lumber Companies’ saw mill, barns for draft animals, dorms for lumber workers, engine rooms, and more. The ponds at Crystal Peak were then used as storage for the logs before being processed in the Verdi Sawmill that was located adjacent to the ponds.

The ponds were also used during this time for ice harvesting as well as for timber storage. The only remaining structure fully in-tact today, is small concrete building which was thought to be an icehouse storage shed during the time of the timber industry.

The Verdi Lumber Co. sawmill burnt down several times over the years until the last fire in 1926 after which time the sawmill was never rebuilt.

Verdi Glen Resort

From 1924-1938, Crystal Peak Park was home to the Verdi Glen Resort. During this time, the resort contained a pool and dressing rooms, a restaurant, and nightclub. This was a popular roadside attraction as well.

A fire in 1938 consumed the resort and it was never rebuilt. An outdoor fireplace from this resort still remains today along with the foundation of the swimming pool and fountain which you can see while walking along the trails at Crystal Peak Park.

Marsh House

After the fire and subsequent abandonment of the Verdi Glen Resort in 1938, Guy Marsh purchased the property. Guy built a house on the foundation of the restaurant/dancehall portion of the Glen Resort and lived there with his wife Florence for many years.

In 1993 Florence deeded the property to Washoe County at which time Crystal Peak became a park for the community.

Ponds Today

The ponds that were once used for ice harvesting and lumber production, were restored as fishing and spawning ponds in 2008.

Today, the ponds are stocked by the US Fish and Wildlife Service in conjunction with Washoe County as a spawning area for the native Lahontan Cutthroat Trout.

These native fish are then released into the Truckee River. If you have a Nevada fishing license, you can fish in these ponds.

Image:
Daniel Hill.

Crystal Peak Mountain

Crystal Peak Park received its’ name from Crystal Peak Mountain visible from this park.

This mountain is so called Crystal Peak from the crystal quartz deposits found on this mountain. Crystal Peak Mountain attracted many prospectors looking for gold which they did not find there.

During WWII, the government took control of a mine at Crystal Peak where they harvested the crystal quartz for use in the crystal radio sets used by the soldiers.

Image:
Google Maps.

Present Day

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iNaturalist:

Out in our parks or open spaces? Try cataloguing the biodiversity around you with iNaturalist! All it takes is downloading the iNaturalist app onto your phone to get started.

Curious what's been seen in this park? Click the link below to see what species other have spotted!

Crystal Peak Park on iNaturalist

Contact:

Have a question about our parks or the Parks Project? Email us at parksproject@tmparksfoundation.org!

Want To Learn More?

References & Further Info:

Washoe County Parks and Open Space - Crystal Peak Park
Vegas PBS “Outdoor Nevada” series found here
“Walk with the Ranger” featuring Crystal Peak Park found here
Verdi Historical Preservation Society gallery
Biodiversity List from Truckee Meadows Parks Foundation Spring BioBlitz
Crystal Peak FaceBook Page
Geology Information about Crystal Peak found here at mindat.org
Reno Gazette Journal Article: “Rich in history, Crystal Peak Park in Verdi opens Saturday”

Contributor(s):

Haley McGuire (history, ammenities, etc.)

Alex Shahbazi

Last Updated:

September 15, 2022 at 7:46:20 PM

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