Ely, Nevada is making a name for itself as an off-the-beaten track gem for cyclists
Ely, Nevada – Just about four hours away from Las Vegas and Salt Lake City sits a charming, little mountain town you may never have heard of. But a trip to Ely, Nevada will be one you’ll never forget. Ely offers travelers a true wild Western adventure. It’s home to rugged, undisturbed wilderness, a rich, unique history, and dozens of miles of some of the best singletrack mountain biking you’ll find in the United States.
Ely is no secret to seasoned mountain bikers. It’s home to the nation’s oldest enduro race, Fears, Tears and Beers; and one of the more unique events around, Race the Rails, which pits human grit against the power of the locomotive. In fact, cyclists of all ages and levels can test their mettle against metal thanks to the Nevada Northern Railway’s “Trains and Trails.” The one-way ticket allows riders to hop on a steam engine and then bike back to Ely on routes ranging from six miles all the way up to 20 miles or more. The routes consist of rolling dirt roads that go past historic mining, railroad, and ranching sites, garnet collection areas, and gorgeous mountain views in all directions.
Full Ely Trail Map (or find them all on the Trailforks App)
Just a few of the many highlights include:
- Cave Lake State Park: 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. This stacked loop is well designed to offer long but moderate climbs delivering riders 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 three ecosystems, back to the Lake. Cave Lake trails offer the most diversity of terrain to ride. Rides can be from three miles to 12 miles depending on your route. 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. Level: Intermediate/Advanced.
- Murray Summit Trail System: There are over 20 miles of trails that meander through the sagebrush and pinyon-juniper forests of Ward Mountain. This is a well-signed trail system with multiple access points including shuttle opportunities to allow riders to descend 2,000 feet back into downtown Ely. Adventure riding at its best, where trails can be narrow and rocky to buffed out and flowy. The South Trailhead, managed by the U.S. Forest Service and accessed via the Ward Mountain Campground, is located on US 6, and is marked with a sign. Rides can be from two miles to 20 miles depending on your route. Make sure to check out G Loop, stage 1 in the Fears, Tears and Beers Enduro Race. Also, new trails like Rope Tow and Making Pancakes allow riders to connect to the Ice Plant Trails, as well as the fast and rowdy Powderberry Divide Trail back to town. Level: Intermediate/Advanced
- Squaw Peak Trail System: These trails are not for the faint of heart. Steep, loose and rocky, with many opportunities to get your tires off the ground. Rising up from Downtown Ely, Squaw Peak is accessed by a jeep road that can be climbed or shuttled. Rides can be from seven miles to 12 miles depending on whether you are climbing or shuttling. Riders looking to experience full pucker have to descend the infamous Whorehouse Hill Trail finishing in Downtown Ely. Level: Advanced/Expert.
- Sacramento Pass Recreation Area: Centrally located on the crest of the Snake Range with Great Basin National Park for a backdrop, the Sacramento Pass Recreation Area provides three trail loops of various lengths: 6.5 miles total. A network of signed two-track roads allows hikers, bicyclists, horseback riders and OHV enthusiasts a chance to explore some beautiful country and see some historic mining ruins. Level: Intermediate/Advanced.
- Ice Plant Trails: Close to 17 miles of network trails provide an adventure for any mountain bike enthusiast. If you ride through the back streets of old Ely and climb up into the pines, you’ll find the two track trail soon becomes a single track, well maintained by local volunteers. At the top you have a choice of loops and routes back down.Level: Beginner/Intermediate.
The true beauty of Ely is in its natural beauty. After a day of mountain biking, visitors can spend the rest of their trip exploring nearby Great Basin National Park, with its mysterious Lehman Caves and majestic Bristlecone Pine Trees (some say these trees are the oldest living things on the planet). For a more relaxing day, anglers can enjoy Comins Lake, Cave Lake State Park, or any number of trout-stocked mountain streams. Serenity seekers can also take a scenic drive on Success Loop in summer and fall for wildlife viewing and stunning mountain backdrops. Of course, the natural hot springs provide the opportunity for true relaxation. The one thing missing? The crowds.
About Ely: Located about 240 miles from Las Vegas and Salt Lake City, Ely is one of Nevada’s best kept secrets and perfect for people who want to create their own adventures off the beaten path. Sitting on the Eastern edge of “The Loneliest Highway” (U.S. Highway 50), Ely is a great base camp for some of the best outdoor recreation in Nevada, all year round; from mountain biking and climbing to hiking and hot springs. It’s also just a short drive to Great Basin National Park, home of the magnificent Lehman Caves and ancient Bristlecone pine forests.
Ely was founded as a stagecoach station along the Pony Express, and its rich history is celebrated in a series of murals that decorate downtown. . Visitors can also step back in time at the Nevada Northern Railway museum, a National Historic Landmark which offers visitors the opportunity to experience an actual working railroad and provides excursions on steam and diesel locomotives. For more information visit: ElyNevada.net.
