U.S. 395 North - Topaz Lake to Minden

U.S. 395 north
Leaving the Golden State of California, northbound U.S. 395 enters the Silver State of Nevada and Douglas County (population 41,259 as of 2000 Census). U.S. 395 retains one lane in each direction and still follows the western shoreline of Topaz Lake. The Nevada community of Topaz Lake is ahead on the right. White postmile reference markers from both California and Nevada are placed at the point where U.S. 395 crosses the state line. Photo taken 09/05/09.
Northbound U.S. 395 enters the unincorporated community of Topaz Lake. Constructed in 1922 and expanded in 1937, Topaz Lake was created in a basin by diverting waters from the nearby West Walker River. Activities on the lake include swimming, fishing, and boating. Photo taken 09/05/09.
Approaching Mark Twain Avenue, the Topaz Lodge and Casino is the first casino along U.S. 395 in Nevada. Gas, food, and lodging are available at the turnoff on the right. Photos taken 09/05/09.
Parking for the Topaz Lodge and Casino is located very close to the edge of the U.S. 395 highway. Photo taken 09/05/09.
The next right from U.S. 395 north is Topaz Park Road east to the Topaz Lake Visitors Center. The Topaz Inn (now a Best Western) is located at this intersection. Photo taken 09/05/09.
Follow Topaz Park Road east to the Topaz Lake boat launching facility, picnic area, and swimming beach. The improved facility is located on the north side of Topaz Lake a short distance east of the motels. Photo taken 09/05/09.
Northbound U.S. 395 meets Topaz Park Road at this intersection. Photo taken 09/05/09.
Leaving Topaz Lake, the first U.S. 395 north reassurance shield is posted shortly after the Topaz Park Road intersection. This is the first non-cutout U.S. 395 reassurance shield found on U.S. 395 north, since California uses cutout U.S. 395 shields exclusively. Photo taken 09/05/09.
This mileage sign along U.S. 395 north provides the distance to Nevada 208 (two miles), Gardnerville (20 miles), and Carson City (37 miles). Omitted is Minden, which is the seat of Douglas County and is located just north of Gardnerville along U.S. 395 in the Carson Valley. Photo taken 09/05/09.
Leaving the Antelope Valley and the West Walker River behind, U.S. 395 sees rolling hills and will gain elevation toward a summit before descending into Carson Valley. Photo taken 09/05/09.

The next major intersection along U.S. 395 north is with Nevada 208 at Holbrook Junction. Nevada 208 travels east from this intersection to follow the West Fork of the Walker River toward Wellington, Smith, and Yerington. At Wellington, Nevada 208 will meet Nevada 829 south to connect back to Nevada 338 south through Dalzell Canyon to California 182 south to Bridgeport in Mono County. Photo taken 09/05/09.
A second Nevada 208 junction sign. Nevada 208 forms part of the fastest route from the Antelope Valley and Carson Valley east to U.S. 95 via a brief overlap with U.S. 95 Alternate between Yerington and Schurz. From Schurz, U.S. 95 leads north to Fallon or southeast to Hawthorne and Tonopah. Photo taken 09/05/09.
U.S. 395 continues north from this intersection to Gardnerville, Minden, Carson City, and Reno. Nevada 208 travels east and then north to Yerington via Wellington and Smith. Photo taken 09/05/09.
A high-speed ramp connects U.S. 395 north with Nevada 208 east. The next left is with Highland Way. Photo taken 09/05/09.
The gore point signage between the ramp to Nevada 208 east and the continuation of U.S. 395 north is similar to the previous sign. Now we enter Holbrook Junction, an unincorporated community of Douglas County. An "H" is inscribed on the hillside visible behind the intersection. Photo taken 09/05/09.
Northbound U.S. 395 meets Highland Way (left turn) and Nevada 208 (right turn). A U.S. 395 guide sign is posted at the end of Nevada 208; this sign can be seen from the northbound lanes. Photos taken 09/05/09.
As traffic from Nevada 208 west merges onto U.S. 395 north, the next left turn ahead is with Reese Lane. The next right connects with Holbrook Station, which offers some motorist services. Photo taken 09/05/09.
The next left from U.S. 395 north is to Penrod Lane. Photo taken 09/05/09.
In one mile, a roadside rest area with picnic tables is found off U.S. 395. Photo taken 09/05/09.
A U.S. 395 north reassurance shield. Photo taken 09/05/09.
This mileage sign along U.S. 395 north provides the distance to Gardnerville (18 miles), Minden (19 miles), and Carson City (35 miles). Photo taken 09/05/09.
The next left along U.S. 395 north is with Victory Circle. Photo taken 09/05/09.
The roadside rest area has picnic tables but no other facilities (that is, no rest rooms). During winter months, the wide paved shoulder on the right side of the road allows for tire chain installation when required due to snow and weather conditions. Photo taken 09/05/09.
As we leave the West Walker River and Topaz Lake behind, U.S. 395 gains elevation for the journey to Simee Dimeh Summit (elevation 5,987 feet above sea level). U.S. 395 briefly gains a climbing lane, but the majority of the route between the Antelope Valley and Carson Valley only sees one northbound lane. Photos taken 09/05/09.
After reaching Simee Dimeh Summit, northbound U.S. 395 begins its descent into the Carson Valley. A series of billboards greets northbound travelers, including this one for the Virginia & Truckee Railroad (a scenic trip for tourists that launches from Virginia City). Photos taken 09/05/09.
U.S. 395 sees increasing development as we approach and enter the Carson Valley. Intersections include Courtland Lane, China Springs Road, Rock Bottom Road, Washoe Road, Wiseman Lane, Palomino Lane, Long Court, and Stones Throw Road. Photos taken 09/05/09.
A pair of signs shows the various service organizations within the Carson Valley. This is very difficult to read at high speeds; one would hope for a turnout or parking area here. Photo taken 09/05/09.
Welcome to Carson Valley, the "Heart of Douglas County." Many portions of the valley are devoted to agriculture, both farming and ranching. Look for farms along the way as we proceed north into Gardnerville. Photo taken 09/05/09.
A pair of Nevada historical markers are located ahead along U.S. 395. Nevada uses these silver and blue signs to signify the approach to a historical site, and the marker itself is found on the shoulder of road (or in a small parking area off the highway). These markers often take the shape of the state of Nevada and tell of Nevada's history, much of which was shaped in the 19th century with the mining boom experienced throughout this part of the West. Photo taken 09/05/09.
Nevada chooses to sign attractions such as golf courses and fairgrounds with brown guide signs such as this. The "transfer station" refers to a place to drop trash and recyclables for eventual disposal. Photo taken 09/05/09.
The first traffic signal along U.S. 395 north in the Carson Valley (as of 2009) is with Pine Nut Road. Photo taken 09/05/09.
U.S. 395 enters the town of Gardnerville (population of 3,357 as of the 2000 Census and elevation of 4,750 feet above sea level). Gardnerville and Minden form the center and most populous urban areas in the Carson Valley; U.S. 395 serves both towns by passing through the downtown core areas of each. Gardnerville was settled in the 1860s primary for its role in farming, while Minden saw development in the 1900s along with the Virginia & Truckee Railroad. Photo taken 09/05/09.
Northbound U.S. 395 approaches Virginia Ranch Road. Photo taken 09/05/09.
The next four right turns are with Service Drive, Southgate Drive, Industrial Way South, and Industrial Way North. These roads all serve a business park and industrial area located east of U.S. 395. Photo taken 09/05/09.
Leaving the industrial area, northbound U.S. 395 approaches Stodick Parkway (right turn). Photo taken 09/05/09.
A brown guide sign advises of the Gardnerville Museum and Visitors Center, which is located in downtown about 1.25 miles north of here. Photo taken 09/05/09.
The next signalized intersection along U.S. 395 north is with Waterloo Lane. Use Waterloo Lane west to Nevada 756 (Centerville Lane). Nevada 756 then takes travelers west to Centerville (with a connection to Nevada 88 south to Markleeville) and Nevada 206 north to Nevada 207 (Kingsbury Grade) west to Lake Tahoe. Photo taken 09/05/09.
Curving through Gardnerville, U.S. 395 has five lanes (two travel lanes in each direction plus a center turn lane). Photo taken 07/19/09.
Northbound U.S. 395 (Main Street) approaches the intersection with Mission Street as the Carson Range comes into view in the distance. The highway actually turns west briefly here, then again turns north toward downtown Gardnerville and Minden. Photo taken 07/19/09.
A U.S. 395 trailblazer shield is posted as the highway turns into downtown Gardnerville. Through downtown, U.S. 395 is also known as Main Street. Photo taken 09/05/09.
This series of photos follows U.S. 395 through Downtown Gardnerville. Both sides of Main Street have shops, lodging, and restaurants, and Sharkey's Casino sits on the southwest corner of U.S. 395 and Nevada 756. Photos taken 09/05/09.
Entering Downtown Gardnerville, northbound U.S. 395 (Main Street) meets Nevada 756 / Gilman Avenue (Centerville Lane) southwest to Nevada 88 and Centerville. No trailblazer shields for Nevada 756 are posted in advance of this intersection. As noted earlier, the best route to Nevada 756 southwest to Centerville and points west is via Waterloo Lane south of downtown. Photos taken 07/19/09 and 09/05/09.
Northbound U.S. 395 (Main Street) passes by the Carson Valley Museum and Cultural Center, located at 1477 Highway 395 in Gardnerville. A nominal fee is charged for admission into the museum, and the visitors center includes tourist brochures, maps, and restrooms in a historic building. Photos taken 07/19/09 and 09/05/09.
Passing through northern Gardnerville, U.S. 395 proceeds through more shopping areas, including several strip malls on either side of the highway. Rounding the turn, U.S. 395 will leave Gardnerville and enter the town of Minden. Photos taken 07/19/09 and 09/05/09.
U.S. 395 enters the town of Minden (population 2,836, elevation 4,720 feet above sea level). Smaller in population than Gardnerville, Minden is the seat of Douglas County and thus more commonly appears on highway signs leading into the Carson Valley. Photo taken 07/19/09.
Proceeding through Minden, U.S. 395 sees more strip malls and commercial establishments on either side of the highway. The highway changes names from Main Street to Railroad Avenue now that we're in Minden. Due to the old routing of the Virginia & Truckee (V&T) Railroad through Minden, U.S. 395 used to be called Railroad Avenue. However, the railroad was retracted out of Minden in 1950 and has not returned. The only section of the historic V&T Railroad in use today is between Carson City and Virginia City. Photo taken 07/19/09.
Northbound U.S. 395 meets Esmeralda Street, which travels northwest through downtown Minden. U.S. 395 bypasses the downtown area of Minden by a block. Visible on Esmeralda Street is an old-style Union 76 sign, which is rarely spotted on modern highways. Beyond that is the intersection with Fourth Street and the town hall of Minden and Douglas County government offices, as well as a variety of shops and restaurants. Photo taken 07/19/09.
Leaving Esmeralda Street, northbound U.S. 395 (Railroad Avenue) bends to the northwest to parallel Esmeralda Street by one block. The next intersection is with Fourth Street southwest. Photo taken 07/19/09.
On the left ahead is the Minden Fire Station, while on the right is the remains of Meyer's Mercantile Company and Dangberg Company offices; this general store largely burned on January 31, 1926, but the brick building which held the Dangberg Company offices still stands today.1 The next intersection is with Fifth Street (left turn). Photo taken 07/19/09.
The next signalized intersection along U.S. 395 north is with Sixth Street and Buckeye Road; this currently serves as the main downtown Minden intersection. Turn right here for Western Nevada College and Douglas County Judicial Building and Sheriff. Photo taken 07/19/09.
Northbound U.S. 395 (Railroad Avenue) meets Sixth Street and Buckeye Road at this traffic signal. On the northwest corner of this intersection (right side of the highway, since U.S. 395 travels northwest through here) is the historic Minden Flour Milling Company building. The flour company operated through the 1960s, but was purchased by Bently in 1975 and remains unused.1 Photo taken 07/19/09.

Continue north to Reno Return to U.S. 395 Return to the Nevada Gateway

Sources:

  1. Around Carson: Northern Nevada Then and Now - downtown Minden as seen in the 1900s and 2006.

Page Updated January 31, 2010.

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