Riding the Rails: Offroad Adventure on the Bunkerville Choo Choo Route | Nevada

The Bunkerville Choo Choo offroad route in Nevada winds through the Virgin Mountain foothills, offering a thrilling journey past historic mines, scenic canyons like the Seeps, and natural wonders like Keyhole Rock, all amidst free range cattle grazing lands.
The Bunkerville Choo Choo offroad route in Nevada is a captivating trail that combines history, natural beauty, and thrilling offroad challenges. Located near Bunkerville, this trail spans approximately 30 miles and winds through the picturesque Virgin Mountain foothills. Its name pays homage to a rail car that was once used as a water tender for cattle grazing in the area, highlighting its historical significance.
As offroad enthusiasts embark on this adventure, they encounter a variety of terrains ranging from sandy washes to rocky ridges and narrow canyons. The trail is known for its technical obstacles and diverse landscape, making it a favorite among those seeking both excitement and scenic views of the Mojave Desert.
Along the route, adventurers will come across remnants of the Key West Mine and the Great Eastern Mine, reminders of the region's mining history. The trail also passes through the stunning Seeps Canyon, where the natural beauty of the granite rock formations can be admired. One of the notable landmarks on the Bunkerville Choo Choo trail is Keyhole Rock, a captivating natural arch that beckons travelers to pause and take in its unique beauty.
Moreover, the trail traverses free range cattle grazing land, so travelers should keep an eye out for livestock along the way. The combination of historical sites, natural wonders, and challenging terrain makes the Bunkerville Choo Choo offroad route a memorable and rewarding experience for offroad enthusiasts exploring the rugged landscapes of Nevada.
VIDEO FILMED: 05/07/2024
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Welcome to the Cactus Atlas! We are Glenn and Amy and invite you to join us as we visit all sorts of locations across the American West. We tour both natural and man-made attractions.
Our base of operations is in the Phoenix, AZ area. We do a lot of hiking, day trips, and campground reviews and hope that we will be a great resource if you are planning a trip to the American West. We also hope to delight you with our exciting adventures!

[@NANCYRogers-s6h]

Good trip felt like I was riding shotgun!😎🤠

[@CactusAtlas]

Awesome! So glad to hear that! 😊

[@6T9GHIA]

Another great video that I somehow missed months ago! Slim did great

[@CactusAtlas]

We're glad you enjoyed it!

[@dodsonreaves7900]

Excellent music in/for the video!

[@CactusAtlas]

Thank you very much! 😊

[@susanasalinas4273]

What beautiful scenery. Sky goes on for ever. Thanks for letting me tag along. Hi Amy. On to the next adventure.

[@CactusAtlas]

Any time! As always, we thank you so much. 😊

[@coolvibes3663]

Nice job, thank you for sharing. cheers

[@CactusAtlas]

Thank you! Cheers! 😊

[@DesertWill]

I love your videos. I hope to return to my much loved Nevada and Arizona. Thank you for keeping me in touch with the desert!

[@CactusAtlas]

You are far too kind! Thank you!! 😊 Loads of desert coming your way. We sincerely hope that you are able to return back here. Something about the desert, right? 🤩

[@damunchman3120]

Your in my territory. I live in Mesquite. There are tons of great trails out there. You should check out Gold Butte Trail. I can also give more recommendations if you wanted.

[@CactusAtlas]

Always up for recommendations! Bring 'em on! 😄

[@gideonjordaan8509]

Great video, great channel. You've asked why the dirt roads in Nevada are severely wasboard, it's 2 wheel drive vehicles or 4x4 vehicles that don't use 4 wheel drive that causes wasboards. My advice is to engage 4x4 high when on dirt. It protects the roads and makes your vehicle safer with better traction. Use 4x4 because you have it, not only when you think you need it. This is especially true on softer roads and sand. Safe travels and keep the videos coming!

[@CactusAtlas]

Thank you so much! Yeah, we tend to turn it on off-pavement as that little bit of extra grip is appreciated. Never know if you're going to encounter sand or anything else that makes it becomes useful. 👍

[@shirleyrichards2514]

Thanks for sharing. I love ❤ your travels 😊

[@CactusAtlas]

Glad you like them! Thank you so much.! 😄

[@Cojiii1959]

Great video! Living in the southwest for awhile your instincts are correct to stay out of those mines. In addition to the obvious mine dangers your in an area where there are mountain lions / large cats and if by chance one is in there beating the summer heat you’re the only thing between the large cat and daylight. 😳

[@kathietee291]

I really enjoyed the scenic area of this route, just so beautiful! Would be fun picking through the sparkly rocks, too! Another fun and informative video, Glen. Thank you so much!

[@CactusAtlas]

We'd love to set aside some time to pick through rocks as well. One day, we hope! ☺️

[@SwiftyTravels]

What a ride! A 4x4 is not in our plans- so its fun touring those toads with you guys!

[@CactusAtlas]

It's still all so new for us. Hasn't gotten old at all, and it's so fun to share with others. 😄

[@SwiftyTravels]

@@CactusAtlas oh my goodness- glad you could interpret my typo! ROADS- not TOADS!! 😂😂

[@richardbeee]

I worked miming for years. Im a retired assayer and refiner of precious metals and have had to take numerous samples from underground and in the pit. The green rock looked like malachite ,the blue appeared to be azurite. That area had silver,copper, and nickle as you said. One thing else that occurred in it was platinum. Not a lot, but with prices as they are now, who knows. Say howdy to Slim. Also on the washboard, you ever notice how when drivers get started on a new road they always, pedal to the metal? Yea. It creates a bounce. Up, down and dig in. Repeat.😂😊

[@CactusAtlas]

Oh, heck yeah! That's so awesome! I imagine we may have many many questions over time about things. 😂 I saw that that mine dug up a whole lot of other secondary and tertiary minerals, but I must have missed platinum. Time to head back! Hahaha!

[@joywyse6996]

Another one for the books Glenn. Great job. You and Slim are a real team. The scenery was gorgeous and also the Joshua trees. Nevada is beautiful and I never thought of it as that but you have shown us it is. WOW what a ride this was. Thanks.

[@CactusAtlas]

There's some spectacular areas that really give Utah vibes. Loads more to explore! 😄

[@WillySmith-sd4em]

I loved that drive! I worked in the oil and gas industry for years. I lived in most Rocky Mountain states. I'd drive down roads like that practically every day, all kinda of weather. It's much more enjoyable letting you drive. That is a drive that I'd like to make. I live in the Phoenix area.

[@CactusAtlas]

All kinds of weather doesn't sound super enjoyable. I can imagine some truly not so fun conditions.😦😅

[@WillySmith-sd4em]

@CactusAtlas you have that right! Especially being on 24 hour call. I might have to drive a distance on pavement before I got on the dirt road. I wore out a company car every 12 months and we had four wheel drive vehicles at our disposal.

[@votrolacres8526]

“Are you bleepin’ kidding me” 🤣 You and Slim did great on that off road adventure! Thanks for taking us along. Beautiful scenery. 👍🇨🇦

[@CactusAtlas]

😁 Anytime! Slim is becoming a champ with his adventures. Can't wait to see where he takes us next!

[@reyleondelaselva1789]

Great video! The Gold Butte/Little Finland is an area I've always wanted to explore. Alien looking rock formations in that area.

[@CactusAtlas]

Thanks so much! As for exploring it yourself... go for it! 😄

[@Mike89138]

Thank you for your work. Colorado ZR2 is one of the most capable vehicles you can get stock. IMO, trail should be rated for the worst obstacle that you can't bypass. Note, conditions change. Unless the info you are getting about a trail was very recent, don't assume. I've gotten burned by watching videos that were 5 years old.... I wish KZbinrs would put disclaimers telling people to get current conditions whenever possible.

[@CactusAtlas]

Absolutely. All the stock additions was one of the main reasons we went with the ZR2. Super good point about a disclaimer. Something I think we'll try to mention and add in future videos. 👍

[@safepetproducts]

Have you been to gold butte? You were right there. Lots to do and see.

[@CactusAtlas]

We have not just yet. Lots of plans and rolling parts. We'll get there one day. 😅

[@markshietze4783]

❤ wow ! 🎉😊

[@CactusAtlas]

Thank ya! 👍

[@gstiles7]

Beautiful views & threading the needle. Does it get any better? Thanks for another great trip!

[@CactusAtlas]

Aw, yeah. Gotta get all those needles threaded. More to come soon too! 😂

[@ernierivas5484]

The nearby Gold Butte National Monument is also scenic.

[@calhking]

Try and rock stack for an easier entry/exit on approach! You can replace rocks after to leave trail clean.

[@CactusAtlas]

AH. Fantastic suggestion. Not sure why we didn't think about that before. Thanks! 👍

[@skipstang]

Fun video, thank you bringing us along for the adventure! As far as trail rating go, I have always liked the way this was defined by Charles & Matt in their awesome series of books including "Guide to Arizona Backroads & 4-Wheel-Drive Trails". They mention the very subjective nature of ratings, the role weather/environment plays in changing trail conditions and the vehicle used to explore the trail. Also the Overall rating of a trail is based on the most difficult section, because that is the capability needed to complete the entire trail. Great books, check them out!

[@CactusAtlas]

We'll have to check them out. 👍 Thanks for the tip!

[@brucekester7638]

At 40:32 two hikers are going to Keyhole rock. Who was with you?

[@CactusAtlas]

Two other random hikers that happened to be in the area at that time he was flying our drone.

[@dodsonreaves7900]

THX Richarebeee!

[@jimf.625]

Looks like a nice trail and doable in my Tacoma TRD Off Road. Do you think an Outback Wilderness model can make it?

[@CactusAtlas]

Our apologies. We're not really familiar with that vehicle.

[@sumacmt]

Yeh....washboard are crazy! As much off roading that you do, really need to air down/up. They now have portable 4 hose compressor kits that are resonable price & pretty quick. Couple of youtube video on the newest ones.

[@denise20240]

Maybe rough turquoise, azurite 🤷‍♀️ I googled Gold Butte National Monument that Safe Pet Products mentioned and I think it would be worth a look.

[@CactusAtlas]

Oh, for sure. TOTALLY our kinda place. 👍

[@dianesnow9806]

You are a great guide. I’ve been following you for several months now. Really enjoy your narrations. Till this video Glen. I don’t feel that you are a dirty mouth guy. Please don’t disappoint me by becoming “that guy”. I’m hanging in here but I really don’t like fowl language especially using God’s Name in vain. Blessings on your road travels. 🫶🙏🏻👋

[@marylynnmikkelsen5538]

I would turned around at the canyon...ya, 1 tuff spot makes a difference or a long drive back...lol

[@CactusAtlas]

That's always the big question - proceed or a long trek back. Thankfully it wasn't that bad and only the most minor of damage. 😄👍

[@ao8352]

Why didn’t you fly the drone through keyhole rock? That would have been cool?

[@CactusAtlas]

It would have, but there were people visiting and we were not interesting in any potential of injuring anyone. 😬

[@sumacmt]

Really like your videos, great locations. Would be a thousand times better w/research, research, research, history, history, history.....

[@CactusAtlas]

Agree. We do what we can with the time we have. A lot of well researched videos go on long-term, but not all of them can get that kind of attention. 🙁

[@JeremyLeavitt-m2o]

I grew up there. You found a cool spot. There are many more. I will share “Whitney pockets” with you. Definitely plan on camping. There is so much to see it. Take at least two days if not, three. I hope to see your video. I’m following you now.

[@mojavedesertsonorandesert9531]

☕........👋🏽

[@CactusAtlas]

😄👍

[@raymonddettlaff1386]

You just gotta get a lift kit. Stock doesn't cut it.

[@CactusAtlas]

Stock ZR2 comes lifted. It would be nice to have a lot more things but just not in the budget at this time. 🫤

[@raymonddettlaff1386]

@@CactusAtlas understood. Love what you are doing

[@raymonddettlaff1386]

Amy! Bro needs a lift kit.