Amazing Scenic Bike Trails - Broke Back Mtn Trail: Red Rock Canyon, Las Vegas NV (Calico Basin)

In this video I traveled to the Calico Basin which is about 20 minutes from the Las Vegas strip. This amazing, scenic bike trail is called Brokeback Mtn. Although it is listed on Trailforks, this trail is unsanctioned and some believe riding it to be illegal. However, it has been a popular trail of mountain bike riders for over 20 years.
The best way to ride this trail is by parking at the Bears Best Access Road trailhead off of S. Town Center Drive. There is about 2 mile climb on a paved access road. Then another 3/4 mile of connectors trails before you get to the start of this trail [not shown in video]. In total you can expect about 18.5 miles round trip. The first part of this trail is pretty steep, and pretty technical with some light exposure. I did walk my bike over 2 sections within the first mile. There are few cool photo spots but the good stuff is yet to come. After which the trail still continues to climb. There are some spectacular views of the Las Vegas strip from numerous vantage points on the trail (not shown in video). The trail continues along the edge of the Calico Basins northeast side. On the other side of the mountains in this area is a public shooting range. You might hear guns shots and you will see a sign warning you of live fire. Do not worry. The mountain range is huge and no bullet shot there can go through or over the mountain. The basin then opens up as you ride the trail and head southwest along Hwy 159 (Red Rock Canyon Rd). This section is pretty flat and you can move pretty fast. Eventually you will come up to a fence which attempts to keep you from crossing over Moenkopi Road. You will have to put your bike over the fence once to cross the road, and then again to enter the next segment of the trail. Note: There is an opening in the fence for hikers to enter and exit which you can also maneuver your bike through by rolling it on the back tire. The next segment is a slight climb but pretty flat. It continues along a huge ridge with 150 ft drop on the right side. The trail is inland though, so there is no exposure risk. From this area you have great views of the world-famous Red Rock Canyon conservation area on your right. If you time your ride correctly you can catch some spectacular sunsets over the Spring Mountain Range. The trail then bobs and weaves, up and down until you will eventually come in to grand wash area on the bottom part of the ridge. The trail does get a little chaotic and hard to follow in this area. The stones are mostly large and flat so they are easy to ride on with little technical skill or just walk a few feet. Once you pass this section its pretty flat ride up to the Cowboy Trail horse stables where there is another trailhead to exit (if shuttling) or turn around and head back.
TRAIL TIPS: From the comments on Trailforks and from fellow local riders, I've learned that those without electric mountain bikes dislike this trail. Generally, they feel it's took much climbing with not enough payoff. However, most people I speak to with eMTB's really enjoy this scenic trail. I also believe your opinion is shaped by what you are looking for. If you are looking for a nice long, bike ride that is safe, not very technical, with beautiful views and diverse features and landscape you will likely really enjoy this trail. The trail is rated Moderate (blue) but my girl road about 70 percent of the trail, this being one of her very first blue trails ever ridden. The first time I road this trail with my boy David B., we went straight through from the Bears Best trailhead to Cowboy Trail horse stable trailhead. Then turned around and went straight back. I took us 1:30 minutes (both riding 2 Luna Cycle X1 EMTBs). During the making of this video I road the trail many more times starting from and ending at different parking areas to ride different trail segments.
Overall I rate the Brokeback Mountain Trail one of the best scenic bike trails in the Las Vegas valley. If you have questions please feel free to ask them in the comments.
TRAIL INFO: www.trailforks...
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THE BIKE RIDEZ STORY & MISSION :
We are e-bike explorers! This channel is continuing to evolve. The current focus is the scenic beauty and peaceful landscape of the trails we ride, not the actual mountain bike riding or e-bikes we are ridding. Although we thoroughly love riding our eMTBs for exercise and adventure, bike riding is our primary form of meditation and stress relief. Our bike rides allow for a few hours without our phones where we can stay focused on being in the moment. Best of all we get to share with you some of the best and most spectacular scenic bike trails in the United States.
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SOCIAL:
FACEBOOK: / thebikeridez
INSTAGRAM: / thebikeridez
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[@mariaamamangpangansay7270]

Full support wow!

[@abstraddic0442]

Incredible cinematography, and such a beautiful trail system, I've taking a very short walk in that area in the past, and plan on coming back with my MTB before the heat hopefully. I'm curious could you have done this ride without an E Bike ? was is mostly climbing ? Thanks for sharing. great job !

[@BikeRidez]

I've done this ride about 4 years ago on a regular mountain bike. It takes a bit longer of course but this trail is still very popular amongst Amish bike riders...

[@SkinnersAutoRepairCrumLynne]

Wow! I def want to ride this trail next Vegas trip. Thanks for sharing.

[@BikeRidez]

That is my hope… that a few people watch the video and go out and enjoy the ride themselves.

[@troymcclure9088]

Vegas local here. I just got a new (manual) MTB and your vids inspire me to really get out there. Really well produced videos, and i also appreciate the comprehensive descriptions too! Keep up the great work.

[@BikeRidez]

Thank you so much! It really means I a lot to me when I hear your kind words!

[@dh9945]

Watching from NC.. such a beautiful landscape! Wish I were there!

[@BikeRidez]

Thank you so much!

[@OreMan]

Oh, what a fantastic place for hiking and riding. I only enjoyed the scenic drive when I was there a month ago.

[@mariaamamangpangansay7270]

Ohhh biking a mazing,a beautifull mountain, take care jost

[@catapultglobalbikegroup]

Gorgeous footage!

[@BikeRidez]

Thank you again. I’m glad you enjoyed the view!

[@technfamily4757]

Cool video bro! 🤙

[@BikeRidez]

Thanks my bro! I appreciate your taking the time out to help scout and/or show me around these trails.

[@johnanthony9225]

Beautiful!

[@BikeRidez]

Thank you!

[@Zetler]

Beautiful

[@rickelliott7653]

Great footage, I always admire your work. I’m a local and was wondering if this an easy out and back or would it be better to park off the 159 and shuttle it?

[@BikeRidez]

Thank you for your kind words... Your question is a hard one because when I shot that video I used multiple trailheads. If you want to do the full trail there are really only 2 trailheads to use: 1) Bears Best trailhead (note: last time I was there a few weeks ago the gate was locked and people were trying to pickup their bikes over the 8 foot fence. So I had to use the Mesa Park trailhead 2) the trailhead on HWY 159 at the horse back riding place. If you start there you would be going the opposite direction of what the video shows.

[@gilltim5711]

Beautiful image quality. What did you shoot this with?

[@BikeRidez]

Several cameras… Insta360 one R, iPhone 13 pro max, skydi0 2+ and Dji action. Thank you for nice comment! I appreciate it!

[@gilltim5711]

@@BikeRidez You're welcome. And thank you for the info.

[@douglaskaye1395]

What type of bike are you riding?? Once again a very beautiful and scenic ride. I particularly liked the drone footage. Thanks for sharing DK

[@technfamily4757]

LunaCyle X1 enduro

[@BikeRidez]

Hi Doug! Thanks for the nice comments. All riders, including myself, are riding Luna Cycle X1 EMTB. My bike has the 2,000 watt upgrade. My friend Dave is riding my wife's 1,200 watt model X1 in this video and others.

[@rickrandom716]

Man I was just riding the exact same trail this past Sunday on my surron lol

[@christiancruz6489]

Nice! You got skydio!

[@salsrutas492]

awesome video !!! i want to go there,any one could fly a drone in those trails?

[@BikeRidez]

Yes. That whole are is clear for recreational drone flying.