Nevada’s Hwy 50 Mountain Bike Adventure
When traveling between iconic mountain bike destinations like Downieville, CA and Moab, UT, few places in the world offer the vastness of wide-open terrain like Nevada, the most mountainous state in America. On a clear day from the right perspective, views in Nevada’s Great Basin are measured in the hundreds of miles. Running right through the heart of it all is Nevada’s Highway 50. Undulating several times from one mountain range and basin to the next between Utah and California, what you see from Highway 50 barely even scratches the surface of the rugged and wild beauty that interior Nevada offers. The only way to truly experience Nevada’s year-round streams, aspen groves, wildflowers and wildlife is to park the car, get up in the ranges and explore. And the mountain bike is the perfect exploration tool for your backcountry Nevada adventure.
Watch highlights of the Nevada Highway 50 Mountain Bike Challenge trekked HERE!
Caliente
Where to Ride
Ride Barnes Canyon Trail System
13.1 miles of singletrack and counting. This system has everything from beginner-friendly flow trail to serious technical downhill. Only 4.5 miles from town, the Barnes Canyon trails travel from the valley floor to the rocky mesa top and back down. It offers incredible views of some stunning mountain ranges and geologic formations, including the Teepee Rocks and a literal rainbow of soil colors along the opposite side of the canyon.
Ride Kershaw-Ryan State Park Trail System
This system has flow for days. Kershaw Redemption, the 7-mile loop constructed by Sierra Trail Works, is the crowning jewel of this area. It’s friendly to beginners, but the real fun starts when you hit the gas and get into the groove. There are several options to extend your ride, including Skid Steer, a newly-finished black-diamond trail descending into Kershaw Canyon, which rides pretty much like it sounds. Start your ride from Kershaw Canyon or from the cell towers at the top of Spring Street.
Hone your skills at the Super Park Bike Park
This sweet little bike park surprises everyone. Warm up on the dirt jumps (complete with small,medium, and large) and pump track, then go for a spin up the hill on the directional flow trails. Be ready for features! This is a perfect place to spend an afternoon playing.
Extend your trip
Soak at Caliente Hot Spring Resort
Drive down Rainbow Canyon
Rock climb in Rainbow Canyon
Soak in Panaca Warm Spring (great for warmer weather)
Dirt bike or UTV on the Silver State Trail
Link to Trail Maps – https://lincolncountynevada.com/exploring/biking/mountain-bike-trails/
Link to Lodging – https://lincolncountynevada.com/staying/
Caliente to Ely
Take Hwy 93 North 132 Miles to Ely
What to see along the way?
Explore Slot Canyons in Cathedral Gorge State Park
Walk the streets of downtown Pioche once the wildest place in the west
While In Ely:
Ride Ice Plant and Ward Mountain Trail System
There are over 25 miles of trails that meander through the sagebrush and pinyon-juniper forests of Ward Mountain. Ice Plant Trail System offers several different loops and connectors on the foothills of Ward Mountain just outside of Downtown Ely. Easily accessible, trails offer mild to moderate climbs and fast flowy descents through Pinyon and Juniper. Higher up on the mountain out of the Murry Summit Campground trailheads have multiple access points including shuttle opportunities to allow riders to descend 2000 feet back into downtown Ely. Adventure riding at its best. Trails can be narrow and rocky to buffed out and flowy.
Ride Squaw Peak Trail System
These trails are not for the faint of heart. Steep, loose, and rocky w/ many opportunities to get your tires off the ground describes the riding on this mountain. Rising up from Downtown Ely, Squaw Peak is accessed by a jeep road that can be climbed or shuttled. Rides can be from 7 miles to 12 miles depending on if you are climbing or shuttling. Riders looking to experience full pucker have to descend the infamous Whorehouse Hill Trail finishing in Downtown Ely.
Ride Cave Lake State Park Trail System
White Pine County’s essential mountain bike experience. The trails within Cave Lake State park are some of the best mountain biking in the State of Nevada. Stacked loops from 3 to 12 miles are well designed to offer long but moderate climbs delivering you from lake level up into the mahogany forests and limestone cliffs that are the signature of the park. Descents are equally as long and flowy bringing you through 3 ecosystems back to the Lake. Cave Lake trails offer the most diversity of terrain to ride.
The High Roller Trail will provide the best views of the area and the renowned Twisted Pines Trail will have you grinning from ear to ear the entire way down.
Extend your trip
Visit to the Nevada Northern Railway and East Ely Depot
Ward Charcoal Ovens State Park
Link to Mountain Biking – Mountain Biking % – Welcome To Ely (elynevada.net)
Link to Lodging – http://elynevada.net/lodging/
Ely to Austin
Take Hwy 50 West 147 miles Austin
What to see along the way?
Historic Downtown Eureka
Hickinson Petroglyph Area
Spencer Hot Springs
Where to ride in Austin
Pony Canyon Trail System
Leaving right from downtown Austin, this trail system has multiple ride option from 2 track roads to rugged gnarly downhill. Riders can do a quick 4 mile loop out to Stokes Castle or tackle the 27 mile Crest Cut-Off Trail. Riders get the feel of a full adventure ride close to town.
Toiyabe Crest Trail
A massive adventure ride on a historic trail in Central Nevada. The Toiyabe Crest Trail is rugged and remote. Riders will experience isolation in high elevation while making sustained climbs and descents. Be familiar with maps and orienteering, the trail can get sparse at times. Best access to the trail is out of the small town of Kingston which is 30 miles south of Austin on Hwy 376.
Extend your trip
Visit Stokes Castle
Grab a drink at the International Café
Hang out with the locals at the Lucky Spur Saloon in Kingston
Link to Lodging – https://austinnevada.com/b-and-bs-motels-rv-parks
Austin to Fallon
Continue on Hwy 50 West 110 miles to Fallon
What to see along the way?
Get the biggest burger in Nevada at Middlegate Station
Toss a pair of your kicks up into the legendary Shoe Tree
Take in Pony Express History at Cold Springs Station
Stand in the shadow of Sand Mountain
Grimes point
Where to ride in Fallon
Fallon is a recent addition to this road trip. After you see how much singletrack has been built here you’ll see why it needs to be a stop on this road trip. Trails rise up out of the floor of an ancient lake bed and wind through a moon scape unique to this road trip. But don’t think there isn’t any climbing in Fallon, Trail builder Stan Lattin has made sure you will earn your beer while riding here. Trails are easily accessible off of Hwy 50 making this an easy pit stop to stretch your legs and get a ride in.
Rattlesnake Hill Trails
The first non motorized trail built in Fallon in a long time and the closest to town. The trail head is positioned on the eastern end of Fallon City limits off of Rio Vista Drive just ¼ mile from Highway 50. Eight miles of technical rolling singletrack with a free ride area offering plenty of features to raise your heart beat and get your tires off of the ground. Rider’s favorites are Sneaky Snake Trail and Stanimal
Bunejug Trails
Just east of Fallon off Highway 50 and down Pit Road about 3 miles is the trail head for the BuneJug Trail system. 12 miles of hand built unique technical singletrack overlooking Lahonton Valley and Salt Wells. System is growing rapidly with 2 new loop options added recently giving riders the option to have a big ride with over 2500 ft of climbing and the perfect mix of flow and technical riding.
Extend your trip
Link to Lodging – https://visitfallonnevada.com/
Fallon to Carson City
Continue on Hwy 50 West 62 miles to Carson City
What to see along the way?
Take a side bar to Historic Virginia City
Lake Lahonton
Sutro tunnels in Dayton
Where to ride in Carson City
Ash Canyon Trail System
In the mountains bordering downtown Carson City to the west there is a network of singletrack trails criss-crossing a ridge between the Ash and Vicee Canyons. There are plenty of different route options as you get farther up the hill and the trails intersect each other. Although not very technical these trails are fun from the climbs and thus fast descents. The close proximity to town makes these trails popular with everyone and you may encounter hikers on the lower routes. Riders looking for an epic day in the saddle have to tackle the Kings Canyon to Ash Canyon Trail, a loop that offers 20 miles and 2000 ft of climbing. Ash Canyon was an option for a route to Lake Tahoe over 100 years ago.
Centennial Park Trails
Two connected 3-4 mile mostly singletrack loops in the hills north of Carson City. A nice after work ride. The first loop, often sandy, goes out towards Moundhouse. The second loop, more rocky, goes to the northwest. There are various options for additional exploring on Jeep trails. Some climbing, no shade, rocks, sand, wild horses, the occaisional coyote, and great views of the Sierra Nevada make this a typical northern Nevada desert ride. The first climb up this lollipop loop, while not steep, is a bit on the rocky side but is rideable. The loop itself is usually ridden in the counterclockwise direction. It is mostly singletrack but does have a few short sections of doubletrack road. The majority of the trail is on BLM land; there is often a herd of wild horses in the area, use caution when approaching them and if needed modify your route.
Extend your trip
V&T Railroad
Nevada State Museum
Kings Canyon Waterfall Hike
Historic District Blue Line Tour
Link to Lodging – https://visitcarsoncity.com/hotels/
Want to take another sweet mountain bike road trip?
Check out our Southern Nevada Mega Mountain Bike Road Trip