From sagebrush flats to dense pinyon and juniper forests, this underrated Bureau of Land Management trail system is a great place for trail riders to rack up some miles. The Egan Crest Recreation Area features several loop and connector trails totaling about 24 miles of designated routes. Of course, like most public lands in Nevada, there are lots of spur roads and side trails so you can really choose your own adventure.
Located just 8 miles west of Ely, the Egan Crest trailhead is easily accessible right off Highway 50. It seems like these trails aren’t used very much, which is a shame because it is really nice country to explore. Admittedly, some of the trails could use a little love. Downed trees and some washed out sections probably deter mountain bikes or dirt bikes, but equestrians won’t have a problem.
The trail system has two official loops and two connector trails. Don’t be fooled by the “boring” terrain of at the trailhead. The trails quickly climb from sagebrush flats into rolling hills of thick pinyon and juniper. The trails are combination of old roads, two tracks, and single tracks. There’s no water along any of the trails but the area is quite grassy.
If you’re looking for easy, mild riding you can just stay on the low trails that meander through the forest. Alternatively, if you’re looking for some elevation, you can follow the trails that climb up to high points (around 7,700 feet) to get great vistas of the surrounding valleys and far off mountain ranges.
The trails are open to horses, hikers, mountain bikes, and dirt bikes. But again, they don’t seem to be used very often. It appears that OHV users occasionally are on the roads but that’s about it. Signage is pretty good throughout the recreation area, but a few are looking pretty old and faded. The trails are rocky in the higher elevations, but not too bad down lower. I had cell service consistently while riding here.
One thing to note, there is a section of loop trail that brings you back to the trailhead long Highway 50. First you are on what appears to be an old road alongside the highway, but then the “trail” literally just is the highway for about 1,000 feet. But, Highway 50 isn’t called the Loneliest Road in America for no reason so it’s not really a big deal!
These trails are good for spring, summer, and fall, and probably winter until the really heavy snowfall.
Getting Here
Trail Maps
