Red Rock Canyon Singletrack

What happens here stays here. It’s a sure bet that most people’s “Las Vegas-moment” probably didn’t include an immersion in the wilds, or extend to some go-big outdoor adventure. But we’re playing a strong hand. In the know Las Vegans quietly gush over the 100-miles of singletrack, matched by stunning desert scenery that characterizes Red Rock National Conservation Area. Our backyard treasure lends both head-clearing if not thorough lung expansion. Ultra forgiving, almost elegantly buffed trails present the perfect fit for those new to the sport. Care to take it up a notch? Adding extra distance, or a full house of difficulty options equals major payoff to those of a singletrack mind.

Our adventure kicks off with an exciting loop around the Cottonwood Valley, sloping tablelands of Joshua Trees and giant Yucca, crossed by bands of Bighorn sheep and wild burros. Our course: a long popular singletrack that winds through the Spring Mountains, the broad range that separates Las Vegas from the high country to the West. The following day we’ll skirt the base of the Keystone Thrust, moved along by the equally fast and intimate Mustang Trails. Named for the wild mustangs that originally shaped them, these trails trace and wander around the scenic valley between the Black Velvet cliffs and Fossil Ridge. Truly a marriage of convenience, this two-day getaway is ideal for the “off-season” traveler. Those riders with limited vacation time, or businesspeople in search of an escape to bookend a working trip will also discover a perfect fit.