While early summer was cool and stormy, the switch was flipped to peak summer temperatures just weeks before this trip. In anticipation of this, the climb to the summit of Fox Mountain at 8,196’ with a descent into camp by a spring seemed like a good plan for mid-summer in Black Rock Country. Strategies to beat the heat in Black Rock Country are limited, there aren’t that many high routes, and limiting ride time to sun-less or early morning hours isn’t an option for an “open-to-all” style ride. A couple of years ago Shay Daylami and I did a 4th of July loop out of Carlin/Elko, Nevada. We rode in the twilight morning hours, and retired under tarps by early afternoon and it was an effective strategy.

While the high temperatures were expected to turn away most riders. Marc Pfister was committed, then two new riders joined in. Rachel Stiff and Ben Klink told me they were in! Rachel is an Artist in Residence this summer at the Black Rock and her partner Ben is a conservation biologist for a private consulting firm. They are avid climbers and mountain bikers so a perfect pair for bikepacking. I really enjoyed learning from them both and as a team they looked out for each other on this trip.

We met in Gerlach at the Friends of Black Rock High Rock Visitors Center but got on the road as quickly as we could in anticipation of the 105^o temperatures forecasted for the weekend. The start was about 30 miles out of Gerlach at the intersection of Old Camp Canyon Rd and NV 447. We drove the last seven miles of the route on NV 447, after a mile climb it would be a six mile downhill to the parking. Downhill is a welcomed finish to a route.

The climb is on a well maintained road to the radio towers. It starts out very mellow but ramps up at miles six and ten. I was out here a month prior and the flowers were in peak abundance. While that peak was past, there was still plenty of wildflower and pollinator diversity to take in. It was a real treat to have Ben’s expertise in flower and plant identification.

The 12 mile climb started after mile 7 and the temperature and exposure only intensified with the grade. Peak grades reached 24% so hike-a-bike was inevitable. But reaching the radio towers was worth it! We had abundant shade on the east side of the concrete bunker, a light breeze and 81^o temperatures for a long siesta.

Before reaching the summit Old Camp Canyon Rd branched off to the north. We followed it out onto the shoulder of Fox Mountain. The Calico Mountains and the Black Rock Desert opened up to us. Up until now we had distant views of the Smoke Creek Desert, Buffalo Hills and Granite Peak. Continuing on Old Camp Canyon Rd will be a trip for a later date as each adventure needs to inspire the next.

After the siesta we hiked around the summit taking in the panorama. Marc and Rachel found the geocache. By 5:30 we were ready to head to camp at Dolly Varden Spring. The descent was quick. Two parallel roads descend to Dolly Varden Basin, I chose the less traveled. A month ago it was packed with flowers. It was still very green and flowery. Leaving Old Camp Canyon Rd made for a much rougher ride. Ben and Rachel were on full-suspension trail bikes, Marc was on his rigid plus bike and I was on my Manzanita gravel bike. My choice was fine, but the rough sections would have been easier on my Falconer B+. After about an hour we arrived at the water trough at Dolly Varden Spring.

My heart sank upon seeing the trough empty. The spring was flowing. The cows had knocked the pipe out of the trough, as cows do. There was a trickle coming from the pipe. I put things back the way they were and soon we had water to drink. No matter what the basin had plenty of water. I had backup solutions if Dolly Varden Spring wasn’t flowing.

It was a calm night. We all slept under the stars. For me it was my first trip with my Sea to Summit synthetic 50^o quilt. It was a comfortable night. I took several astro-pics with my phone camera during the night. We were within a day of the New Moon so the sky was prime for star gazing. Marc’s thermometer registered a low of 44^o so we were beating the heat for sure.

We would be riding into the heat on day 2. The day had 2,000’ fewer in elevation gain, a net 1,000’ drop to the finish, but we still approached a max grade of 25%. I am glad I find these facts after the ride. I find it interesting when I plot a route on Ride with GPS, and compare that with riding the route some metrics, especially max grade can vary so much. It is important to remember maps are an estimate. Regardless, the views were spectacular. We were riding through sagebrush steppe from broad basins into narrow canyons.

I asked Ben what he thought of the route. He enjoyed the diversity in terrain we covered. He thought the main roads were in great shape and the “B” roads were not. The best vote of confidence was hearing Ben and Rachel are looking forward to future trips! I don’t think any of my trips have turned anyone off bikepacking.

Although we strive for off-road touring there was a certain relief in meeting up with NV 447 again. Now my bike was in its element. After a mile climb we were all coasting towards Duck Flat and our vehicles. Once we were back in Gerlach we stopped at Bruno’s for our post ride meal. Stacey and Olivia from Friends of Black Rock High Rock joined us. They were relieved we found cooler temperatures. They were reporting 105^o during the day and 90^o+ well into the night.

When asked for highlights, the views, flowers, and canyon-scape, come to mind. Rachel was moved by the views from the turn-off, seeing the Calico Mountains and the Black Rock Desert. Ben liked the biodiversity and route diversity. Marc’s pictures always speak for his approval. My highlight is to add a solid route to the Friends library of rides in Black Rock Country. The Granite Range contributes significantly to the uniqueness of the area. The elevation profile creates islands of unique habitat separated by time and space. The canyons and springs add structure to the landscape. If its intrinsic value, worthy of conservation, can be realized through low impact recreation then it will persist for future generations to enjoy.

By the numbers The route on Ride w GPS is 39.5 miles with 4,755’ of climbing, and 8.1 miles of pavement. On day 1 we rode 21.6 miles with 3,348’ of climbing. On day 2 we rode 19.5 miles with 1,398’ of climbing. Checkout these background resources for more inspiration: PeakVisor Fox Mtn panorama, Peak Bagger – Fox Mountain, Peak Bagger – Granite Range, and Alert Wildfire mountain top cameras – Fox Mountain.

The kit I was riding my Manzanita gravel bike. The frame and fork are equipped with 6 water bottle cages, a bolt-on ½ frame bag, 3 bolt-on roll top bags, a bolt-on top tube bag, feed bags, handlebar harness, and extended seat pack. The custom bags are from Nuclear Sunrise Stitchworks, now Nuke Sunrise Bike Bags. The evolution of the gravel bike included adding more water bottle/cargo cages and bolt-on vs. strap-on bags. This would be my recommendation to anyone considering custom frame/fork and bags.

I carried a bivy, MSR Helium, but slept on top of it. The synthetic quilt, Sea to Summit Glow 50^o, was perfect even down to the 44^o temperature we recorded. Otherwise my kit has become fairly standard and consistent. I carried the bivy and sleeping pad in the handlebar harness. The narrower bundle fit well in the space created by my drop bars. I omitted the spare base layer, gloves, and warm hat. I will always carry my Patagonia Houdini as it is the best additional layer for weight and space to pack.