Tri-State Altitude Adventure: Riding Nevada, Utah and Colorado

Looking for the ultimate off-road adventure can really be a challenge. But the adventure, in part, can be finding the location or multiple locations. We took three states and three completely different terrains and packed them into a 10-day ATV extravaganza. Mesquite, Nevada; Little Sahara, Utah; and Buena Vista, Colorado, were chosen for their distinctly different riding areas and varying altitudes.

The Mile High Trail Riders (MHTR) ATV Club from Denver also came along to complete the entire tri-state trek. Our initial mission was to do a tech story on the effects of elevation on performance, but when that didn't come together, we decided to enjoy the "stairway ride" for the epic adventure that it was.

Mesquite, Nevada
(altitude: 1800 feet)
We began by traveling 670 miles from our base of Denver to Mesquite, just north of Las Vegas, which accommodated our search for sea-level riding (0-3000 feet). Jim Bushnell of MHTR helped choose this location for its terrain and excellent trail riding. During our two-day stay, we discovered the area had several ATV and jeep trails crisscrossing the desert, with long sand washes and steep hills. We ran across everything from gravel, sand and, yes, even mud. Traveling down to near sea level can really enhance your riding pleasure. Coming from a much-higher elevation, we experienced some real added horsepower to the rear wheels. The temperatures were fortunately moderate in Nevada, allowing for some midsummer day- and nighttime riding. Mesquite not only offered some great off-road enjoyment but also gave up some fun nightlife at the local casinos.

Little Sahara, Utah
(altitude: low, 4500 feet; high, 5200 feet)
After two days and nights of some great riding, we packed up and headed 275 miles north to the Little Sahara sand dunes in Utah. Now at 4500 feet, we jetted for optimum horsepower with the help of Xtreme Performance Center of Castle Rock, Colorado. Owner Donavon Facey brought several new ATVs along with a portable ATV dyno. Since we were faced with a whole new terrain, it was time to switch over to our paddles. Working the sands of the Little Sahara is a completely different experience from navigating sea-level desert dirt. The Little Sahara, with its world-famous, 700-foot Sand Mountain, provided some outrageous hillclimbing; while the hidden sand bowls in the distance tested our skill and horsepower to keep from falling into the bottom, or the "toilet bowl." Night riding can be a real challenge at the dunes. Shooting the "razor's edge" and accidentally finding one of the dunes' nasty "witch's eyes" can be a painful (read: endo) experience.

Buena Vista, Colorado
(altitude: low, 8000 feet; high, 14,000 feet)
Our next destination took us 485 miles east to beautiful Buena Vista, home to several 14ers (14,000-plus-foot peaks). Switching back to our treads, we jetted for yet another altitude change. Colorado can easily confuse the best of riders with a multitude of terrains and altitude changes. Sand, dirt, mud and rocks can all be found within a 1-mile stretch in the Rocky Mountains. Now situated in camp surrounded by trees and a view that would put a van Gogh to shame, we set out to do some exploring. This area is home to several ghost towns, old gold and silver mines and hundreds of miles of trails.

June to September is the best time for riding Buena Vista. The first couple of days, we rode to destinations, such as the old ghost town of Turret, that were between 8000 and 10,000 feet; but then it was time for another jet change that would put us up on Tin Cup Pass. Along the way, we made a quick stop in St. Elmo. This old ghost town is one of the highlights of the ride. Continuing up the pass takes you past some great fishing ponds and excellent views. Arriving at the top of Tin Cup Pass, we found we had made it to 12,627 feet, which gave way to some wonderful views of the 14ers. Continuing over the pass will take you to Mirror Lake and the ghost town of Tin Cup. An extended ride will put you on the Cumberland Pass then over Hancock Pass, completing the loop back to St. Elmo.

In each location we found excellent camping and hotel accommodations. Having completed our tri-state adventure, it was easy to recognize the immense differences among locations. This is a multistate vacation I would highly recommend for riders who are looking to fulfill their desire for all the elements. Family members who don't ride will find the scenery and ghost towns well worth their own walking adventure; they can even take an unchallenging ride up some incredible trails in the family SUV. For the ATV junkie, this is the trip you don't want to miss. --Dan Delasantos

Contributing sources: Xtreme Performance Center, Jim Bushnell, George Hoffman, Mike Curiel, Rhino Off Road Industries