The Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge has always been a great gravel riding destination. In some ways I consider it the best in our area based on the quality of the roads, lack of traffic, wildlife viewing and natural and cultural history. When the birds are on the water it is the noisiest place to ride.

The viewscape to the east is dominated by the Stillwater Range. Now that will be preserved as the Numunaa Nobe National Conservation Area. This NCA was created in response to the expansion of the Fallon Naval Air Station. This offers protection and recognition for the traditional lands of the Northern Paiute, especially for the House of our Father. The rugged mountainscape is also home to the historic Plata Mining District. In the southern portion of the range the Pony Express had a re-route. The Sand Mountain dune punctuates the very south of the range.

I have visited the NWR several times to ride gravel. Pete Rissler and I rode fat bikes in the dunes to the north. My first ride to Sand Mountain was coming up from Gabbs Valley. Nick Jensen and I rode the canyons to La Plata. I also rode 11 Mile Canyon, just inspired by seeing it on a map.

There have been many draws to the area over the years. Fallon is only 60 miles east of Reno and Stillwater is only 20 miles out of Fallon. Driving through, I always try to stop at Stone Cabin Coffee. Fallon has a few good spots for a post ride meals, my favorite burritos are at Azteca Grill and Bakery. A great burger spot is Woody’s. The Grid has a few options for eats and drink. I have even had good Indian food in Fallon. Although I have never included it in a bike ride, I recommend Frey Ranch Distillery.

During COVID some cycling events were encouraging folks to create a local ride in the spirit of their cancelled event. Around and through the Stillwater Range I created a series of gravel rides called the Dirty Stanza, a combo of the DK Unbound name, and Fallon local Stan “Stanamal” Lattin (@the_stanamal_), with the hope he would get behind promoting the route. Stan is always a great source for up to the minute riding conditions in the area. The route never made it out of my library of routes on RwGPS. Take a look here if you are looking for a desert gravel grind. Or something slightly shorter.

Dec 1, 2025 Northern Numunaa Nobe NCA Once I learned about the new NCA I was motivated to poke into the range in earnest. I created several loops of varying ambition and landed on the smallest. But the trek was mostly new to me.

A common theme for me is to create a route, consider the length and elevation, but overlook the grades. So I first created a 100k loop with 8000’ of climbing. Hmm, that might be a little ambitious in a single push. Max Grades +27%/-33%. So I went with a 50k route with 7000’ of climbing. What I didn’t look at, max grades +37%/-26%. I am super happy I didn’t invite anyone else on this one.

I parked off East County Rd. The initial climb into the range was good. The roads were in good shape.

Then I came to the climb. I was hike-a-biking the most sustained pitch ever. But it can’t last forever, 4.2 miles with 3000’ of climbing feels like forever. At the top of the climb I watched the sun set. I still had to descend into Dixie Valley then climb back over the range. All unknown, all in the dark.

The descent was very steep and loose. Both the climb and descent were sketchy no fall zones. But the view from the descent showed just how steep and rugged the range was. The wildness of this point not far from Fallon was super special. Out of the mountains and onto the apron in Dixie Valley, the road was a bit sandy.

After a pair of right turns I was heading up Bobcat Canyon. It was a bummer to make this climb in the dark. What was I missing? The route was steep, averaging 11%, but mostly pedalable. Off the top I found a slight short cut back to the start.

By the numbers: 30 miles, 6,800′ of climbing. See the route here.

Now I want to get back to catalog all the roads in the NCA. I am planning an overnight May 8-10 to explore the cherry stem roads on the east side of the NCA, open to all who are interested.

Dec 9, 2025 Bolivia Short, route by Doug Artman. This fills in the gap of the north end of the range.

Doug had a great full-day ride for us so it made sense to drive out the night before and camp. We found a nice flat spot near one of the geothermal wells.

Our day started with a climb on the boulder strewn apron to the mouth of Cottonwood Canyon. How many Cottonwood Canyons are in Nevada? I spent some time inspecting the vugs in the volcanic boulders for crystals. No luck.

The canyon creek bottom served as a road to the Bolivia mining camp. It was a trip! The creek was just flowing so you were riding on wet gravel, sometimes in the flow. There were a few rock cascades that require a hike-a-bike but otherwise it was a very rideable route by fat bike. The river rock might require a little more hike-a-bike on gravel or plus sized tires.

Off the top we descended past a couple of springs so water on the first ½ of the trip was plentiful. From the west side of the range I was trying to orient myself to my cognitive map. I had ridden through here just to the north.

Now we had a climb I have traced into several routes that I haven’t tried. First we had to cross the deeply eroded apron. The V shaped climbs and descents were frustrating, but eventually we were climbing a great road to the top.

The descent from Fencemaker Pass was very steep. One of those, gripping-the-brakes slow descents hoping you don’t have a front wheel washout. Once things mellowed out we had a nice run to Seven Devils Springs and Ranch. The last 15 miles through Dixie Valley were at dusk. We passed the spring fed washes that I assume are home to the Dixie Valley toad and are vulnerable habitat to the negative impacts of geothermal development. Seeing it on the ground from the vantage of a bike seat made the struggle all more real.

By the numbers: 44 miles with 4,800′ of climbing. I highly recommend the route, see what we rode here.

Check out Doug’s write-up of Bolivia here. He always has a great perspective.

I am starting to get questions about a ride calendar for the season. April has the potential for a day ride or overnight. I am always open to suggestions. The weekend of May 8-10 will be the Numunaa Nobe Cherry Stems from Dixie Valley, all are welcome. The weekend of May 22-24 is the Black Rock Rendezvous. I will ride in from Smoke Creek Desert as I have the years past. It is an outstanding route, all are welcome. June and July are pretty boked already – a good time for someone else to plan some outings. July 11-24 I will be camping, fishing and biking in Lamoille Canyon. Stop by for a visit! I will be at the Made consumer bike show, Portland, OR, August 21-23 and Burning Man, Black Rock City September 1-4. That leaves time for a return to Desert Creek, High Rock Canyon, the Micro-playas, Sheldon NWR and Death Valley before the new year. Maybe I can squeeze in a Jarbidge trip. Stay tuned and I hope to see you out there!