Hiking

Egan Crest Trails

Intro: This is an official BLM trail system so all of the trails are signed with fiberglass posts and there is a kiosk with a map at the trailhead. Most of the trails are two-track roads but there is some fun single-track that combines sections of the trails to make a fun loop. This is described below. The ride offers some fun downhills and a couple pretty good climbs with views of the Ruth Copper Pit, the second largest in the world. The rest of the trails out here aren't really worth visiting.

Advisories: None at this time

 

The Trails

Main Loop
Difficulty: Most Difficult
Distance: 10.5 miles, 1,375' elevation gain
Notes: Follow the re-routes to avoid hike-a-bike sections.

Magic Trail Fairy Alternative
Difficulty: Most Difficult
Distance: Adds 1 mile to main loop and 300' elevation gain
Notes: A single-track alternative to the road sections of the main loop. This is unsigned and may be a little faint and hard to find. GPS recommended.

 

Here's the GPS Tracks

 

Trail Directions

Getting There: From Ely go west on Hwy 50. In about 7.5 miles you'll see a sign for Egan Crest Recreation Area and some shade structures on your right, turn here and park at the trailhead.

Directions: Since there are fiberglass markers the ride is pretty self explanatory. From the trailhead follow the signs for B Loop which will take you up a two-track that eventually turns into single-track. You'll notice a couple of re-routes that have been built to ease the pain on some of the drainage crossings. It's probably best to take these unless you like a little hike-a-bike. When the single-track section ends you'll come to a T intersection, go left and uphill following the signs for B. This again turns into single-track and is a pretty good climb. This will top out on the ridge where you'll get some nice views and a break from the climb. You'll see another re-route on your left. Begin a fun twisty downhill. Midway you might see a trail coming in on your left with signs for B loop, ignore these and keep cruising downhill.

When the single-track ends you come to a two-track road which is part of the A loop. Go right and continue to follow the signs for A following a two-track road back to where you parked.

For the Magic Trail Fairy Alternative follow the signs for A loop when you finish the downhill and the single-track by taking a right at the two-track road. In about two miles the signs for A loop will direct you to go right on another two-track road. Follow this for 1.4 miles until you see a two-track road coming in on your left, take this. Go for about 1/2 mile and you should see a faint two-track on your right. This is the beginning of the Magic Trail Fairy Alternative. Follow this single-track back to where you parked.

Ruth Copper Pit as seen from the trails
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Site last updated 5/30/2006
Visitors since 11/14/2004