June 20-22, 2025 When asked about a favorite route I quickly come back to Desert Creek. I have written about it several times in Bikepacking Northern Nevada and visit the area on and off the bike several times each year and in all four seasons. So let me highlight the differences with this trip.
The HOWL is Wildwood Open Lands Foundation’s (WOLF) micro-rally. So far I have participated in the HOWL at Lava Beds (2024) and Dog Valley (2023). What is a micro-rally? An overlanding rally is an off-road campout/jamboree that has a trail run, expo, workshops and educational components all within the framework of best practices established by Leave No Trace and Tread Lightly. Micro- denotes that WOLF’s event is appropriately sized as a non-commercial club outing. By the time we are packing up at the end of one HOWL, we start thinking about where next year’s will be. After the Lava Beds Jeff and I discussed Lobdell Lake, remote but accessible, popular with off-roaders, options for fishing, wildlife viewing, and hiking. Camp cooking and eating is always a big part of the event.
The Truck Route The trucks approached Lobdell from 395 just south of Sonora Pass. Burchman Flat Road to Lobdell Lake Rd, about 10.6 miles, 2600’ of climbing on good dirt roads. I considered making this the route to pedal, but there is always the floor to ceiling Desert Creek Route + Lobdell Lake. Marc and I gave this a go a few years ago looking for the Desert Creek singletrack. We bushwhacked our own path. So I planned the “safe road route” to Lobdell and an alternate return route. This was somewhat experimental so the participants would need to know this. We rode in 19 miles with 3400’ of climbing on one of my all time favorite routes.
Desert Creek Bikefishing Route + I was joined by Marc P and Meghan Q for this trip. We found the “lost singletrack” to Lobdell Lake. I practically had my front tire on the singletrack and was planning on climbing the road, probably an additional 500’ of climbing, when Marc casually pointed to the singletrack. I was looking down the road that led us to our bushwhack years ago, still blind to the trail. Ha! With some discussion of the unknown vs 500’ extra feet of climbing we took the singletrack. It was beautiful narrow singletrack, in the trees, next to the creek. It opened up into a 4×4 road that Marc and I were familiar with. We arrived at the opposite side of the lake to where Wildwood was set up. It was cold and windy, but Wildwood gave a warm reception.
Mt Patterson 11 miles, 3000’ of climbing. Lobdell Lake sits at 9,200’, Mt Patterson peaks out at 11,673’ in the Sweetwater Mountains shared by Nevada and California. We had the day to go for it. Marc and I headed up. It was like riding on the moon. The grades on the climb averaged in the double digits with a max grade of 31%. I don’t remember it being so intense, maybe I settled and accepted my situation. I would definitely do it again! There is plenty unfinished business in routes off the mountain to the south. Marc and I retreated the way we came. We were looking eye-to-eye with the storm front. We got back just in time to dive into Jeff’s heated camper with beers and stories. It is good to collaborate with overlanders.
Return via Rock Creek 23 miles, 2000’ of climbing with 4700’ of descending Ye-Haw! This return had 6 “new miles” of single track with about a 1/2 mile of hike-a-bike. The hike-a-bike was tough and there may be a go-around to try. But the moto singletrack took us through an amazing landscape of trees, meadows, and tight rocky canyons. It left me thinking I need to spend some time on this face of the Sweetwater Mountains.
The remainder of the route was as I had remembered. The road across Jackass Flat and along Jackass Creek sees a lot of side-by-side and 4×4 weekend traffic. On the final descent to the main road along Desert Creek, Jackass Creek flows over the road so you are descending a rocky creek bed.
The Desert Creek Bikefishing Route continues to evolve. Here is a Ride with GPS collection of routes to consider if riding in the area. Should the Lobdell to Mt. Patterson portion be considered a High Roads Route? Not a Nevada High Road but a Great Basin High Road for sure!
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Wildwood Expedition 