High Sierra Cyclists
P.O. Box 2278
Ridgecrest California 93556
Local Mountain Bike Rides

Area Map      

The daytime summer temperatures in this area can reach 115 degrees F or more. Outside of the Ridgecrest/Inyokern area or the Randsburg/Johannesburg area there is NO WATER . The winds are generally from the southwest and tend to become stronger later in the day. For more information on the local climate visit the Ridgecrest site.

While I feel it is impossible to become truly lost on any of the rides I'm going to describe, it is, as my father used to say, likely you will become temporarily misplaced. In fact, there are so many roads and trails in the areas of the following rides that someone new to riding in these areas is not going to be able to follow the trails described. In addition, if you or your bike is disabled you could be in serious trouble. My recommendation is that you do not ride alone .

• Time Trail Loop

College Heights Trails

• Old Time Trail Loop
• Wagon Wheel Trail
• Lathrop Canyon Loop

El Paso Mountain Trails

• Sheep Spring Trail
  
• Powerline Loop Option
  
• Sheep Springs Option
  
• Sheep Springs/Goler Gulch Trail
  
• Sheep Springs/Mesquite Canyon Trail
  
• Sheep Springs/Last Chance Canyon Trail

Death Valley Rides

College Heights Trails

Trail Map

The old Time Trail Loop (The new time trial course was established summer 1999)

Guided Tour

This is the best marked and most frequently ridden local trail. The trail is a moderate climb with sandy conditions and a series of short, but steep climbs, followed by short, steep descents. The ride is on both dirt roads and motorcycle trails with a panoramic view of the Ridgecrest area.

Access: Go south on College Heights Blvd. and turn west on the dirt track south of the College. Please the consult the trail map.
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Wagon Wheel Trail

This trail is a hard packed, graded dirt road that passes through scenic granite boulders with a panoramic view of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. This a great picnic area for a family ride.

Access: Go south on College Heights Blvd and continue south on the dirt road. Please the consult the trail map. This trail ends on Trona Rd. (paved) 11.3 miles from Ridgecrest.
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Lathrop Canyon Loop

This trail is a challenging, technical route with a very fast downhill section. The route is very sandy and rocky and leads to some awesome views of the Spangler Hills.

Access: This loop leads north of off the Wagon Wheel trail about 4 miles after you begin on the dirt road south of the college.
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El Paso Mountain Trails

Trail Map

Time Trial Loop (Corner of Highway 395 and China Lake/Brown Road)
Brown Road aka Randsburg Inyokern Road

Sheep Spring Trail

This trail is a short, sandy, easy to moderate climb with scenic views of the northeast slope of Black Mountain. The area offers opportunities for rock hounding, wildlife viewing and is known for its many prehistoric and archeological sites.

Access: This trail begins off of Randsburg Inyokern Rd (aka Brown Rd, Old 395) south of Ridgecest and continues to Sheep Springs.
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Powerline Loop Option

This trail runs along an old railroad and powerline road. It has very short and easy climbs and could be used by all ages and abilities.

Access: This option loop begins with the first two miles of the Sheep Spring trail and then cuts east off of the dirt trail and then loops back to the Randsburg-Inyokern Rd.
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Sheep Springs Option

This trail is a continuation of the Sheep Spring trail with a technical uphill section leading to opportunities for some great views of the El Paso Mountains.

Access: This option trail begins at Sheep Springs and continues south and then loops back into the powerline option trail.
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Sheep Springs/Goler Gulch Trail

This trail is a steep decline, with rocky switch backs through the scenic El Paso Mountains. You will pass through Goler Gulch, the narrows, Sand Gulch, and Benson Gulch. This trail will end at the Garlock Road , two miles north of the historic town of Garlock. Visit this old town, but be sure to plan for a pickup on the Garlock Road or a 22 plus mile road ride back to Ridgecrest.

Access: Turn south off the Randsburg-Inyoken Rd (aka Brown Rd, Old 395) to Sheep Springs, and the trail continues southeast from there.
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Sheep Springs/Mesquite Canyon Trail

This trail is a steep and curvy dirt road the goes past Colorado Camp, and Berbracht Camp, and other old mining camps. The trail ends at the Garlock Road south of the historic town of Garlock. Be sure to plan for a pickup on the Garlock Road or a 26 plus mile road ride back to Ridgecrest.

Access: Turn south off the Randsburg-Inyoken Rd (aka Brown Rd, Old 395) to Sheep Springs, and the trail continues southwest from there.
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Sheep Springs/Last Chance Canyon Trail

This route is a steep, sandy trail with plenty of turns and challenging terrain. The first 4 miles covers the beginning section of the Sheep Springs/Mesquite Canyon trail. The trail passes through the Last Chance Canyon area and features colorful cliffs and spectacular rock formations. The route ends on the Redrock-Inyokern Rd, either for a pickup, or and easy dirt road ride back to Inyokern.

Access: Turn south off the Randsburg-Inyoken Rd (aka Brown Rd, Old 395) to Sheep Springs. Last Chance Canyon is a turn to the west approximately 5 miles from Sheep Springs. Return to Index.

Death Valley

A club member wrote this in response to a request for MTB rides in Death Valley.

In and around Death Valley there are many jeep roads open for mountain bike riding. The park maps show many of these roads and is the best source of info for planning rides in the valley. The easy (flat) roads tend to be less scenic and less challenging. If you want to go down you have to climb first! Remember that Death Valley is remote - come prepared with WATER, food, and the 10 essentials (check any backpacking book for recommendations). Also, be aware that many roads are closed in summer because of the heat, and roads in the higher elevations can be closed in winter by storms.

After all that my favorite two rides in Death Valley are 1. Titus Canyon (long, strenuous, challenging, technical with lots of climbing and descending) and 2. Aguereberry Point (easy, mostly flat, high in the mountains). By the way if you have a 4-wheel drive you can have someone drive sag support for you on most of these roads.

Check with the park visitor center at Furnace Creek for more info (pamphlets even) especially with regards to which roads are open. The rangers are not real enthusiastic about helping mountain bikers so you will need to track down most of the info yourself. Remember that hiking trails are CLOSED to mountain bikes and if they catch you riding closed trails all of the park may become closed to mountain bikes. Return to Index.