The COVID pandemic has brought on special conditions regarding the use of the RRCC flying field. The land is owned by the Reno Sparks Indian Colony (RSIC) and all tribal land is only open to tribal members. The RSIC has given our Club license to use the airfield (disregard the “CLOSED” signs). If stopped by Tribal Police, tell the officer that you are going to the “model airplane flying site”.
There are two routes to the airfield
Route #1 Eagle Canyon Drive:
This is the easiest way to the field and is paved for all but the last mile. From Sparks, proceed north on the Pyramid Highway about 12 miles to the Spanish Springs Valley. Turn left at Eagle Canyon Drive (a 7-11 is at the corner). At this point, you are 8 miles from the field. Head west past the Spanish Springs High School and up the hill. A short way after toping the mountain pass, you will be able to see the airfield in the middle of the valley. Stay on the paved road all the way around the east side of the Indian Colony housing. Please obey the speed limits. The pavement ends at the north side of the community center. Proceed onto the left dirt road, through a couple big dips, over the cattle guard, and continue on the dirt road that heads in a southwest direction. It is about 1/2 mile to a right turn into the flying site.
Route #2 Lemmon Valley Access:
Take Hwy 395 (I-580) to the Lemmon Valley Drive exit. Follow Lemmon Valley Dr. most of the way around the east side of the wetlands (not always wet) and turn right on Chickadee Drive. The pavement ends just past the houses. It’s about 0.8 miles from the end of the pavement to an important left turn (not well marked).
The whole dirt road part of the trip (about 3.4 miles) is generally headed in a Northeast direction. The grade of the route is mostly flat or has a little bit of a climb—so, if you are going up the side of a steep mountain, you are probably not on the right road. There are a couple sections of road that are very sandy.
The road is one of the emergency evacuation routes for the Indian Colony. There are several red emergency route markers (3’ tall stakes) on the side of the road. You will be looking at the back of the markers because they are on the left side of the road as you are heading to the field. There are enough red markers that you shouldn’t drive very far without seeing the next one. There are also a few brown markers on the right side of the road indicating that the road is a route to the RRCC field. The buildings at the airfield are not visible until you are almost at the site.