Pah Rah Range

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Pah Rah Range is a mountain range located in western Nevada in the United States. It is a north-south running ridge, approximately 20 miles long, and is wholly in Washoe County. It is bounded to the south and east by the Truckee River, to which its surface runoff from south and east slopes flow, and to the west by Palomino Valley (which is the northernmost suburb of Reno). To the north a low pass separates the Pah Rah Range from the Virginia Mountains.

The principal peaks (in order from south to north) are Pond Peak (elevation 8035 feet), Virginia Peak (elevation 8367 feet) and Pah Rah Peak (elevation 8249 feet). Both Pond Peak and Virginia Peak host several radio towers. Virginia Peak is also the site of a doppler radar station.

"Pah Rah" is a Paiute term which translates roughly to "Lake Mountain". This term applies to the Virginia Mountains better. This apparent mix-up is likely due to confusion on the part of the early surveyors of the region.