I take this photo every time I enter High Rock Canyon, the guardians Oct 5-6, 2024 October 2020 was the start of Rides with Friends. The idea that we would have a trip every October was born. I figured it had to represent the “Best Of”, or as I termed it the “Crown Jewel”. So …
Continue reading Rides with Friends #3 Fly Canyon Potholes and High Rock Canyon
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
Imagine yourself here October might become an annual Black Rock Desert - High Rock Canyon Emigrant Trails National Conservation Area trip. Last year we made our way through High Rock Canyon and with the help of our journalist friends, Jim Scripps and Rick Gunn it became a feature in Adventure Sports Journal. Carlo Luri suggested …
Continue reading Overnight; Black Rock Desert Hot Springs Loop
12 Mile playa access point What draws you to the Black Rock Desert? Is it the bizarre landscape of the ancient lake bed swept clean by the powerful forces of the wind, water and sun, challenging your imagination in ways never thought possible? Is it the artist's pallet found in the light reflected back to …
Continue reading Ride Report: Black Rock Hot Springs Loop 2.0
From the Calico Mountains to the Black Rock Range I jumped into 2019 with grand plans of writing a bikepacking guide to the Black Rock High Rock Emigrant Trail National Conservation Area. With this focus I made 11 trips, primarily to Gerlach, to research routes to recommend the best riding experience. By no means did …
Continue reading From the Black Rock to High Points, 2019 Had Diverse Highlights!
This finger of the Black Rock Desert - High Rock Canyon Emigrant Trails is a fantastic route to the Black Rock Desert I underestimated the effects of our spring thunderstorms on the route I had planned for Adventure Cycling Association's Bike Travel Weekend. The weather triggered some on the fly changes in our route and …
Continue reading Overnight; Bike Travel Weekend, Rye Patch Reservoir to Black Rock Desert
Turning north onto Jackson Creek Ranch Rd, less than 100 mi to the Oregon border This year I am taking on a project to write a guide for touring The Black Rock Desert - High Rock Canyon Emigrant Trails National Conservation Area (NCA). While it seems to be a no-brainer that this is a hot …
Continue reading Black Rock Desert Project: Jungo Rd to Jackson Creek Ranch Rd
Looking back at the start of the ride, Hualapai Flat to Black Rock Desert Leadville Road from the start There are hundreds of miles of gravel roads and jeep trails around and through the Black Rock Desert - High Rock Canyon Emigrant Trails National Conservation Area (NCA). A bikepacker's paradise. Gerlach is the pedestal for …
Continue reading Ride Report; Washoe County Road 34, Leadville Rd
I envision four major routes showcasing The Black Rock Desert - High Rock Canyon Emigrant Trails National Conservation Area. First is the gravel County Road 34. The road is paved out of Gerlach but turns to dirt to the north at Hualapai Flat. Then it is about 60 miles to Vya. The road runs along …
Continue reading Ride Report; Black Rock Desert to Soldier Meadows Rd
The Calico Hills and Mountains as I had left them Division (8533') and South Donnelly (7719') Peaks are snow covered In planning this route I knew I was going to peak out at 7100' yet my goal was to keep my elevation low to avoid the snow. Low and slow is a challenge in this …
Continue reading Ride Report; Granite Range, Negro Creek to Leadville Canyon