Red Hills, Nevada

 The Red Hills is a small range in central Nevada nestled among the much larger and well known Snake and Schell Creek ranges. It's a short drive from Ely (my home), remote, with lots of good riding and hiking options. Pefect!

 I drove out, set camp, and went for a short afternoon exploratory ride. Looking down Spring Valley with the Snake Range on the left. Mt Wheeler distant.

 I rode to the top of a shallow pass and was rewarded with this view north into Antelope Valley with the Antelope Range left.

I followed the spin with a meal and a short sunset stroll. Snake Range

Red Hills

I awoke the next morning to cold temperatures and wispy high clouds. I got out early and quickly spied a wild horse. The first of several I would see during this trip.

The Schell Creek Range

The Red Hills

Spring Valley

The Schell Creek Range

I regrouped at camp and let it warm up before setting out to explore the east side of the Red Hills on bike. The Kern Range.

I visited some mining ruins. Lead and Silver were the primary products.

Another view of the Kern Range

A view to the northwest into Antelope Valley with the Antelope Range behind.

An isolated peak. Huge boulders have toppled from its summit!

I came across this spring, or perhaps, a well on the way back to camp. Amazing in the midst of this dry landscape!

Hiking day! Some of the Juniper have a lot of character.

Visited more mining ruins near the crest of the range. A mine shaft next to a collapsed cabin.

Another shaft.

A short hike from the ruins brought me to the high point of the range. Views!

Looking back at the summit with an old mine claim post.

Some shafts had warning signs posted at their entrance. Most did not.

Hiking back to camp I noticed footprints heading over to a wash, so I figured I'd follow them. Found this scene.

When I got home I did a little research and found out Juniper bark is thought to be medicinal, even a potential cancer cure. Maybe that's what they were up to? Long ways to go to get it!

 

Interesting end to an incredible trip! I love this landscape!! 

 

 

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!