Egan Basin Bikepike Day 2

 I got a good early start for day two of my trip. Rolling easily through the Egan Basin was a great way to start the day.

 About an hour into the ride I found myself easing into the Pinyon/Juniper forest through Telegraph Canyon. The conditions were perfect!

 

Somewhere around 7250' the road leaves the canyon and pitches dramatically upward. Occasionally I had to push the bike, often I had to stop and catch my breath, but I always enjoyed the stunning locale.

These switchbacks were the final test. Definitely pushed up the left trending one! 

 

At the pass (8600') I admired the view of Telegraph Peak (9900'+) with a hint of fall color on it's right shoulder. 

 

Just over the pass I found this puzzling little structure. It's quite short. Next to a small, apparently, ephemeral spring. Miners? Loggers? Shepards? 

 

 

 

The descent of Log Canyon was unreal! The road was in good shape, the constantly changing scenery was amazing, and it felt like the ride down lasted forever. Fine fall colors too!

 

The limestone formations along the bottom half of the drop were pure magic.

I emerged from the canyon into wide open Steptoe Valley in a state of complete bliss! What a trip!!

Egan Basin Bikepack Day 1

 Another bikepacking trip! This time north of Ely in the most northern part of the Egan Range. I drove about an hour to the base of the range near Log Canyon and rode north on the main road towards Cherry Creek.

 The clouds were mesmerizing as a cold front moved in from the northwest. The front brought a strong southerly wind which was happily at my back.

I soon arrived at the town of Cherry Creek. A true living ghost town. 
 

The riding up Cherry Creek Canyon was nice. Good road, little traffic, and fine scenery.

I turned off the main road onto this secondary road along Cherry Creek (dry at this point) towards Overland Summit.

At the summit I joined the historic Pony Express Trail.

Then I enjoyed the plunge into Egan Basin.

Once in Egan Basin, I passed this small cemetery. Some of the graves are reportedly U.S. Cavalry soldiers buried in 1864.

Found this interesting plaque near the cemetery. 

Once at the head of Egan Canyon I searched for shade and water. Fortunately I found both here.

I was a bit hesitant to drink water coming out of a mine, but I spied fish living in it, so I figured it was probably ok.

I took a nap, ate supper and went for a stroll. Found a few fascinating rocks and enjoyed the last light of day.

Another great day in the Nevada outback!

Bullwhack Bikepack

 I've been keeping my eye on the thermometer waiting for it to drop enough to warrant a bikepack trip. Finally I got my chance!

I rode from my home in Ely south to the Ward Charcoal Ovens where I took my first break and topped off my water.

Back on the road I kept heading south enjoying fine riding on the well graded road.

Here I turned off the Cave Valley Road towards Lone Pine Summit and Lund.

After a few more miles I turned onto this more primitive road to Bullwhack Spring.

I found a little shade and made camp near the spring.

Blissed out on the scenery.

 

And filled my bottles.

After dinner I went for a stroll.

Found this! Took a picture and left it where I found it.

I got an early start and rode up to beautiful Chimney Rock

Chimney Rock Spring

Keeping the cattle watered is a big deal around these parts

Enjoyed a delightful cruise down Silver Canyon

 Back onto the main Cave Valley Road, I rode on up to Bullwhack Summit.

 

Another two and half hours of good pedaling and I was home. Fantastic!  

Turned Around x2

 Went for two rides last week where I got turned around! Both were still great in the end thankfully, but would have been even better without the backtracking.

 First I set out on one of my favorite gravel routes. This overgrown two track was the key link, but no more!

The next day I set out for an adventure ride to Butte Valley. We had gotten a bit of rain in the Ely area, so the air was fresh, clean, and heavy with the scent of sage.

After about an hour I descended into the expansive Butte Valley. Red Chilli Butte on the right. Egan Range distant.

I veered off the main road onto this two track on my to cross the valley.

After a few miles the two track deteriorated to this. Still decent riding though. 

Out in the middle of the valley. Big sky country!

As I got closer to the east side of the valley I started to encounter a few puddles and a little mud, but then I arrived here. No go! The mud was thick and would have instantly caked the bike.

 Oh well. Can't complain. Sweet ride nonetheless.

White Pine Range Mountain Bike

 Back to blogging! I spent most of the summer training and racing on my gravel bike. Good fun. Good fitness, but not real conducive to blogging. Now that race season is over it's time for adventure riding!

Yesterday I drove about a half hour to the base of the White Pine Range southwest of Ely. The route was fairly basic: Up the White River then down Ellison Creek. 

 Early in the ride looking up at the fine high peaks of the range.

My first break came here where I had a snack and wetted my head from the "river." It was warm!

The mighty White River lower left. 

Above the junction with the Currant Creek Road the road became a two track, but still provided nice riding.

Gotta post a pic of a meteorological station when I can!

 

Up near the pass the views opened up.  

The descent into the big basin at the head of Ellison Creek.

Ellison Creek funnels into a narrow canyon below the basin, but before it does it waters fine meadows.

Once in the canyon I enjoyed cruising through this nice Cottonwood forest.

I took another break at the historic Washburn Station stagecoach stop. Much of the town of Hamilton (above here) decamped for new and richer mines in Pioche in the late 1860s. The current road down Ellison Creek largely follows the old stage route from Hamilton to Pioche which was quite busy for a time.

This is where Ellison Creek spills out of the canyon...

providing water to these pretty grasslands below.

 One of the best rides of the year. Looking forward to more adventure riding!