U.S. 395 South - Minden to Topaz Lake


The final casino along U.S. 395 south within the state of Nevada is the Topaz Lodge and Casino. This view looks southeast from the lodge parking lot adjacent to U.S. 395 toward Topaz Lake in the Antelope Valley. 09/05/09

U.S. 395 south
After the southern U.S. 50 junction in Carson City, U.S. 395 next approaches Nevada 705/Old Clear Creek Road (former U.S. 50). Photo taken 07/09/07.
Meeting Old Clear Creek Road, southbound U.S. 395 continues into the growing suburbs of Carson Valley, which is anchored by the growing towns of Minden and Gardnerville. Around this point, U.S. 395 leaves Carson City and enters Douglas County. Photo taken 09/09/05.
Southbound U.S. 395 next approaches Topsy Lane. Photo taken 07/09/07.
After the Topsy Lane intersection, this guide sign points the way to Genoa, Minden, and Gardnerville via U.S. 395 south. Photo taken 07/09/07.
Southbound U.S. 395 meets Jacks Valley Road (former Nevada 206) and Sunridge Drive. To Nevada 206, continue south to the Genoa Lane (former Nevada 758) intersection. To the unincorporated community of Genoa, either turn right here on Jacks Valley Road or turn right on Nevada 206/Genoa Lane. Turn left onto Sunridge Drive for the suburban and residential areas found to the east between U.S. 395 and Mica Drive. Photo taken 09/09/05.
A "Welcome to Carson Valley" sign is posted south of Jacks Valley Road on southbound U.S. 395. The Carson Valley includes the areas east of the Carson Range and west of the Pine Nut Mountains in Douglas County. The seat of Douglas County -- Minden -- is located near the center of the Carson Valley. Photo taken 07/09/07.
This U.S. 395 south reassurance shield is posted after SR 206. Photo taken 07/09/07.
The suburban landscape continues along U.S. 395 southbound on the approach to Mica Drive. Mica Drive represents one of the numerous residential thoroughfares that stem east and west of the U.S. highway in northern Douglas County. A yellow "prepare to stop when flashing" overhead precedes the intersection. Photo taken 09/09/05.
This mileage sign is posted on U.S. 395 south of Mica Drive. Minden lies nine miles ahead near the junction with Nevada 88, a major state route that leads south into California and then west as California 88 into Alpine County and over Carson Pass to the Central Valley. At the Nevada 88 intersection, U.S. 395 turns southeast and will take that trajectory through downtown Minden and Gardnerville toward Topaz Lake and eventually to Bridgeport and Bishop in California (171 miles from here to Bishop). Photo taken 07/09/07.
The next signed intersection along U.S. 395 south is with Plymouth Drive and Sunridge Drive. Photo taken 07/09/07.
U.S. 395 crosses the Carson River, which flows through the Carson Valley. The river drains from the Sierra Nevada northeast into Northern Nevada, leading toward the Stillwater Marsh northeast of Fallon. Photo taken 07/09/07.
This view looks west at the Carson Range from U.S. 395 south. Photo taken 07/19/09.
U.S. 395 sees an unusual configuration for traffic signals heading south in northern Carson Valley. At this intersection with Johnson Lane, southbound traffic does not have to stop for the traffic signal. Instead, left turning traffic merges left into a turn pocket for a traffic signal that regulates the flow of traffic on northbound. A merge ahead allows traffic from westbound Johnson Lane to merge onto U.S. 395 south. Photo taken 07/09/07.
The next state route intersection along U.S. 395 south is with Nevada 759/Airport Road, which travels east from U.S. 395 towards Minden-Tahoe Airport. The state route ends short of the airport entrance, ending at Heybourne Road. Airport Road then continues east as a county-maintained highway into the airport. Photo taken 07/19/09.
Use Nevada 759 east to the Sierra Front Interagency Fire Center. Photo taken 07/19/09.
A pair of trailblazer for Nevada 759 east accompanies this marker for U.S. 395 south. Photo taken 07/19/09.
The next intersection along U.S. 395 south is with Nevada 206 (former Nevada 758)/Genoa Lane west to Genoa. Photo taken 07/19/09.
The town of Genoa is "Nevada's First Recorded Permanent Settlement." Founded in 1851, Genoa today features Mormon Station State Historic Park along the California Emigrant Trail. Photos taken 07/19/09.
Nevada 206 travels west to Genoa, then turns south to serve Walleys Hot Springs, Mottville, and Sheridan before joining Nevada 88 a few miles north of the Nevada-California state line. Photos taken 07/19/09.
This U.S. 395 reassurance shield is posted along southbound after the Nevada 206/Genoa Lane intersection. Photo taken 07/19/09.
This mileage sign provides the distance to Minden (four miles), Gardnerville (five miles), and Bishop (161 miles). Photo taken 07/19/09.
Looking west from U.S. 395 toward Genoa and Walleys Hot Springs, a giant "D" is carved into the Carson Range above the Carson Valley. The "D" stands for Douglas County. Also notable in this photo is the Kingsbury Grade (Nevada 207), which travels uphill toward Tahoe Ridge and then down to the Tahoe Basin at Kingsbury east of Stateline. Photo taken 07/19/09.
The next left turn from U.S. 395 south connects to Stockyard Road. Photo taken 07/09/07.
The next intersection along U.S. 395 south is with Nevada 757/Muller Lane west to Walleys Hot Springs and Nevada 206/Foothill Road. Photo taken 07/19/09.
Use Nevada 757/Foothill Road west to Nevada 206/Foothill Road south to Nevada 207/Kingsbury Grade west to Lake Tahoe. Photo taken 07/19/09.
U.S. 395 south reassurance marker and trailblazer for SR 757 west. Photo taken 07/19/09.
A U.S. 395 reassurance shield is posted after the Nevada 757 intersection. Photo taken 07/19/09.
This mileage sign provides the distance to Minden (we enter the town shortly), Gardnerville (three miles), and Bishop (159 miles). Photo taken 07/19/09.
The next major intersection along U.S. 395 south is with Nevada 88 southwest to Markleeville. Photo taken 07/19/09.
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. Prior to Nevada 88, an intersection is with Ironwood Drive. Photo taken 07/19/09.
Approaching the turnoff for Nevada 88, motorists are afforded a choice: take U.S. 395 southeast to Minden, Gardnerville, and Bishop or aim south along Nevada 88 to Markleeville (via California 89) or points west via Carson Pass. Traffic to Lake Tahoe may take Nevada 88 south to Mottsville Lane west to Nevada 207/Kingsbury Grade or follow Nevada 88 and California 88 southwest to California 89 north to South Lake Tahoe. Photo taken 07/19/09.
A set of trailblazers for U.S. 395 south or Nevada 88 south is posted prior to the traffic signal governing the flow of traffic between these two important routes. Photo taken 07/09/07.
Approaching the turnoff for Nevada 88, motorists are afforded a choice: take U.S. 395 southeast to Minden, Gardnerville, and Bishop or aim south along Nevada 88 to Markleeville (via California 89) or points west via Carson Pass. Traffic to Lake Tahoe may take Nevada 88 south to Mottsville Lane west to Nevada 207/Kingsbury Grade or follow Nevada 88 and California 88 southwest to California 89 north to South Lake Tahoe. Photo taken 07/19/09.
As we pass another U.S. 395 south reassurance shield, the highway enters urban area of Minden. Photo taken 07/19/09.
In downtown Minden, southbound U.S. 395/Railroad Avenue (Main Street) meets Sixth Avenue at this traffic signal. Turn left here to the Douglas County Courthouse. Photo taken 07/19/09.
Now in downtown Gardnerville (population of 3,357 as of the 2000 Census and elevation of 4,750 feet above sea level), southbound U.S. 395/Main Street meets Nevada 756/Gilman Avenue (Centerville Lane) southwest to Nevada 88 and Centerville. Photo taken 07/19/09.
The final traffic signal along U.S. 395 south in Gardnerville is at Riverview Drive. From here, U.S. 395 will reduce to two lanes (one in each direction) for most of the way south to Topaz Lake and the California State Line. Photo taken 07/19/09.
A U.S. 395 south reassurance shield. Photo taken 07/19/09.
This mileage sign along U.S. 395 south provides the distance to Topaz Lake (19 miles) and Bishop (153 miles). The older sign provided the distance to Holbrook Junction and Bridgeport rather than Topaz Lake. Photos taken 07/19/09 and 07/09/07.
Looking west a short distance later is this view of a ranch and the Carson Range. Photo taken 07/09/07.
This sign, placed by Caltrans, advises of the status of several Sierra Nevada mountain passes: Monitor Pass (via California 89 west), Sonora Pass (via California 108 west), and Tioga Pass (via California 120 west into Yosemite National Park). This sign was upgraded; it used to have a flip sign between "open" and "closed," but now it has electronic updating make the sign much more timely and reliable than it was previously. Photo taken 07/19/09.
Southbound U.S. 395 proceeds through the arid lands of southern Douglas County, gradually gaining elevation and leaving the Carson River behind. Photo taken 07/19/09.
Continuing south, U.S. 395 approaches the China Springs Road turnoff to China Springs. A passing lane ahead assists with the climb to Simee Dimeh Summit. Photo taken 07/09/07.
Reaching Simee Dimeh Summit at elevation 5,987 feet above sea level, U.S. 395 leaves the Carson Valley and descends into the Antelope Valley. Photo taken 07/19/09.
Descending from the summit, U.S. 395 retains two lanes. Photo taken 07/09/07.
Leaving the fertile Carson Valley, U.S. 395 sees a more arid landscape. Photo taken 07/09/07.
Southbound U.S. 395 approaches Spring Valley Road. Photo taken 07/09/07.
The next intersection along U.S. 395 south connects to Pine Valley Road. Photo taken 07/09/07.
A roadside rest stop along U.S. 395 is located on the right side of the highway off southbound. Picnic tables and a trash container are available here; for restrooms, continue south to Topaz Lake. Photo taken 07/09/07.
At Holbrook Junction, southbound U.S. 395/Three Flags Highway approaches Nevada 208 east to Yerington. Photo taken 07/19/09.
A second Nevada 208 shield is posted prior to the intersection between U.S. 395 and Nevada 208. To U.S. 95 south to Las Vegas, follow Nevada 208 east to U.S. 95 Alternate in Yerington, then take U.S. 95 Alternate east to U.S. 95 south. Photo taken 07/19/09.
Continue straight to follow U.S. 395 south to Topaz Lake and Bishop; turn left here for Nevada 208 east to Yerington. Photo taken 07/19/09.
This U.S. 395 south reassurance shield is posted as we leave Holbrook Junction and the intersection with Nevada 208. Photo taken 07/19/09.
This mileage sign along U.S. 395 south provides the distance to Coleville (13 miles), Walker (17 miles), and Bishop (139 miles). Topaz Lake is ommitted from this sign, even though that is the final community found along U.S. 395 before leaving Nevada and reentering California. Photo taken 07/19/09.
Cresting over a hill, Topaz Lake comes into view. This lake, half in Nevada and half in California, is a reservoir created by diverting water from the Walker River. Topaz Lake originally was a much smaller natural lake, but its size increased with diversion facilities built starting in 1922 and completed in 1937. The lake lies along the Walker River in the Antelope Valley. Photo taken 07/19/09.
Due to nearby wildfires that plagued the Eastern Sierra and Tahoe Basin, the view of Topaz Lake was much worse in 2007. Photo taken 07/19/09.
The next left connects to the Topaz Lodge and Casino. Gas, food, and lodging are all available here. Photo taken 07/19/09.
This view looks south along U.S. 395 from the Topaz Lodge and Casino parking lot. While U.S. 395 is known as the Three Flags Highway for its route from Mexico through the United States to Canada, the three flags here are the state of Nevada, United States, and state of California. Photo taken 07/19/09.
Still following the southeasterly trajectory, U.S. 395 leaves the Silver State of Nevada, Douglas County and enters the Golden State of California, Mono County. U.S. 395 remains in the Antelope Valley and will soon approach the California communities of Topaz, Coleville, and Walker. Photos taken 07/09/07.

Continue south to Bishop Return to U.S. 395 Return to the Nevada Gateway

Page Updated February 5, 2010.

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