Jones and Whites had been hooked up for a long time.

Now, Thomas is in on the action.

The Dry Pond Trail crosses the ridge separating the Whites and Thomas creeks, just as the Jones/Whites Creek Trail does for its namesake drainages on the low flanks of Mount Rose.

A small basin in a saddle on the ridge catches snowmelt, allowing grasses and wildflowers to flourish. Not a lot is known about the impression in the land, said Pam Wehking of the U.S. Forest Service, but she figured it probably only occasionally fills with water after especially wet springs.

The name Dry Pond came about as the Forest Service was looking for a name for the trail, she said.

Construction of the new trail coincides with the opening of new trailheads at Thomas and Whites creeks.

Mountain bikes have never been allowed in Mount Rose Wilderness Area, so fat tire fanatics will be especially pleased to have a new alternative to the Whites Creek-to-Galena loop.

The Dry Pond Trail follows a mellower grade than many local favorites, so it provides an intermediate conditioning trail. There isn’t much technical about it beyond a few well-made switchback turns.

On the trail: The Dry Pond Trail can be accessed from either the Thomas or Whites creek trails.

From the Whites Creek trailhead, follow the trail that leaves the western end of the parking. A U.S. Forest Service map on the brown trailhead sign shows the local paths in excellent detail.

Follow the Whites Creek Trail past the turnoff on the left for the Jones/Whites Creek loop. The Dry Pond Trail leaves the old road after about one mile, roughly halfway to the Mount Rose Wilderness Area.

Large stepping stones allow hikers to cross Whites Creek and stay dry. The path switchbacks up the ridge. Then it flattens out and Dry Pond appears in a saddle on the ridge.

The trail repeats the formula on the other side: switchbacks down, cross Thomas Creek. Unlike the non-motorized Whites Creek Trail, however, the Thomas Creek Trail has singletrack that runs parallel to a road that still allows motorized travel. Take a right on the Thomas Creek Trail to reach its trailhead and the Forest Service road 492, a gravel route that extends from Timberline Drive.

Travelers who don’t want to turn around and repeat the path can walk down Timberline Drive to get back to the Whites Creek trailhead.

Essential gear: A picnic basket filled with food to take advantage of the new picnic tables at the Whites and Thomas creek trailheads.

Number crunch: Two months, the time it took the U.S. Forest Service and the Nevada Conservation Corps to construct the trail.

Recommended if you like: Jones/Whites Creek loop.

Trail information

o Difficulty: Moderate.

o Distance: One mile one way, not including the Whites or Thomas creek trails.

o Views: 4 out of 5.

o Users: Hikers, equestrians, mountain bikers, dogs must be under voice command.

o Directions: From Reno, take U.S. 395 south to the Mount Rose Highway, aka Nevada 431. Take a right on Timberline Drive at 5 miles, just before the bend in the highway and across from the Montreux entrance.

o Facilities: Restrooms, parking, picnic, trash.

o Details: Call the U.S. Forest Service Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest Carson City ranger district at 882-2766.

o Maps: USGS 7.5-minute series, Mount Rose NE quadrant. No updated maps with new trail available for the public.