Entrance to Horse Thief Canyon, Piper Mountain Wilderness January 30-31, 2024 What started out as a 210 mile loop got whittled down to an 80 mile overnight at the Eureka Dunes. Weather, fitness, and health played their part. But all the unintended consequences of a great trip came into play. “Where does this road go? …
Continue reading Death Valley Overnight: Cucomungo Canyon and Eureka Valley Dunes
Will Lumpkin making the biggest navigation decision in his life, Go Forward! Photo Ky Plaskon October 14-15, 2023 This year’s Rides with Friends crown jewel route was the Hot Springs - Micro Playa Loop. The route traveled northeast from 12 Mile playa access to Double Hot Springs, then south on the Applegate Emigrant Trail route, …
Continue reading Rides with Friends #7: Hot Springs – Micro-Playa Loop
Celebrate rolling sagebrush grasslands under Nevada's blue skies Sept 16-17, 2023 I really wanted a ride for Rides with Friends that showcased the Massacre Rim International Dark Sky Sanctuary. But not surprisingly it is one of the most remote places beyond the NCA. So I planned a route from the turnoff from Co Rd 34 …
Continue reading Rides with Friends #6 Massacre Ranch Dark Skies Overnight
Doug makes a quick check on the route as we leave Paradise Valley. Sept. 6-7, 2023 Doug had a route to an area I have long been advised to ride. It was an easy yes when he asked if I was interested. On top of that it was a bikefishing trip! This was my first …
Continue reading Paradise Valley, Santa Rosa Range Bikefishing Overnight
Welcome to the Perseids Meteor Shower Campout Photo Marc P August 12-13, 2023 The Perseids Meteor Shower Campout is a longstanding event hosted by Friends of Black Rock High Rock. Two years ago I decided to ride out to the camp rather than drive. Why not, I’m the bike guy. It was a smokey evening …
Continue reading Rides with Friends #5 Perseids Meteor Shower Campout
Doug Artman, up for adventure! August 9, 2023 Doug Artman invited me to go bikerafting on Stampede Reservoir. As bikepacking loves compound words, bikerafting is the blend of bikepacking = off road touring and packrafting = travel by lightweight inflatable rafts. This route was splendidly that blend of activities, we rode the Truckee Emigrant Trail …
Continue reading Bikerafting Overnight; Emigrant Trail and Stampede Reservoir
Riding out of Lone Juniper Canyon on Day 2, there is no escaping the sun 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 …
Continue reading Rides with Friends #4 Fox Mountain Loop Overnight
June 15-18, 2023 My earliest exploration of the Granite Range had me riding along Cottonwood Creek. It gets contributions from Wagon Tire Creek and a few springs between 6000’ and 7000’. At some point I dropped a fly line in lower Cottonwood Creek and pulled out a Brook Trout! I couldn’t figure out how they …
Continue reading Rides with Friends #3 Bikefishing the Granite Range
I ride and write frequently about Dog Valley, second only to the Black Rock Desert. Dog Valley/Henness Pass road turns to dirt on the edge of Verdi and the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. This winter we did a snow camping overnight in the area, and it is a popular area for all outdoor activities in all …
Continue reading Dog Valley with Wildwood Open Lands Foundation; Howl micro-Rally
A great introduction to the canyonlands of Black Rock Country April 26-27, 2023 I first rode into the Granite Range in December of 2018. I usually round up and say the Granite Range shoots up from 4000’ to 9000’ but for those who appreciate accuracy Granite Peak is 8980’. I admire the Granites more than …
Bikepacking Northern Nevada 