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| Bristlecone Trail   | 
| Location: Nevada, United States, North America Lat/Lon: 36.30185°N / 115.73547°W Trail Type: Mountain County: Clark Technical Difficulty: Hard Aerobic Difficulty: Hard Layout: Loop Elevation Gain: 1650 ft / 503 m Length: 6.0 Mi / 9.7 Km
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| Page By: Matt K Created/Edited: Oct 9, 2007 / Feb 22, 2008 Object ID: 261872 Hits: 748 Loading... Page Score: 87.81% - 5 Votes Loading... Vote: Log in to vote |
Overview
The Bristlecone Trail is located at the upper end of Lee Canyon. It is a popular trail for hikers, mountain bikers and horseback riders. Keep in mind that visitors with stock have the right-of-way, and always be on the lookout for hikers and horses.
This trail passes through groves of bristlecone pines - the worlds oldest living organism. Although the oldest known bristlecone pine is located in the White Mountains of California, many of these trees are several thousand years old. On exposed mountain slopes the tree takes on a characteristic stunted-and-twisted growth form.
Starting at the Lower Bristlecone Trail parking lot allows you to ascend a nice graded gravel road. It is a sustained three mile climb and the elevation can make things fairly difficult for some.
Trail elevation: 8,680 feet to 9,400 feet
Trail Description  The Lower Bristlecone Trail follows a nicely graded road for the first three miles.
The trail begins with a steady climb following a wide and abandoned Works Progress Administration (WPA) road. The road continues for about 3 miles and passes through a small grove of aspen while climbing up toward the bristlecone pines. The trail eventually curves around, levels out a bit and provides a nice view of the nearby Las Vegas Ski and Snowboard. While you are still on the graded road the trail eventually passes the junction with the Bonanza Trail - be sure to stay on the bristlecone trail as bikes are not allowed on the Bonanza Trail, plus you will be going the wrong way.
 The upper portion of the single track is technical and rough in certain parts.  The middle portion of the single track is smooth and fast.
Shortly after passing the Bonanza Trail junction, the road will narrow and turn into single track full of twists and turns. The upper portion of the single track is technical and somewhat rough, the middle portion fast and smooth, more rough and rocky is found near the bottom, and the very end returns to fast and smooth although bordered by handrails. You will descend through white fir, ponderosa pine and quaking aspen, eventually ending in a parking lot adjacent to the ski area. Ride downhill through the parking lot, continuing on the paved road until you reach the gravel road which will return you to the trailhead. Getting There  More rough areas are encountered near the bottom of the single track.  As you descend down to the ski hill parking area, you will encounter newly installed handrails. I assume these are intended to reduce resource damage and keep hapless tourons (tourists + morons) from hurting themselves on the icy trail in the winter.
From Las Vegas:
Drive north on highway 95 towards Tonopah/Reno. 14 miles after passing highway 157 (Kyle Canyon Road) turn left at highway 156 (Lee Canyon Road) and drive approximately 16.5 miles. Turn right onto the gravel road (Scout Canyon Road) about 150 feet before the McWilliams Campground to reach the trailhead.When to BikeSpring through fall. Images |
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