Desert Creek Loop

Total Miles
16.9

Elevation

2,226.74 ft

Duration

0.8 Hours

Technical Rating

3

Moderate

Best Time

Summer, Fall

Trail Overview

Short loop following Desert Creek between Smith Valley, NV and Bridgeport, CA. Several campgrounds are located along the creek, and there's good fishing and hiking nearby. The road is mostly one vehicle wide along the creek and ranges from hard packed dirt to loose rocks and gravel. There are 6 water crossings approximately 1 foot to 2 feet deep. The creek is usually slow but can get fast and high in the late spring/early summer with snow melt.

Photos of Desert Creek Loop

Desert Creek Loop
Desert Creek Loop

Difficulty

Water crossings can be a little tough on a larger motorcycle.

Technical Rating

3

Status Reports

Trail Gypc
Jun 26, 2024
4x4
Open
Rough/Deteriorated
Dusty
Washboard
I started this trail from the California side, Topaz Lane. while the road is slightly graded rocked, once you go into the Toiyabe NF it becomes really rocky, low profile vehicles will scrape their differentials. I have a 4" lift, 33" BF Goodrich KOA and was towing a small, but heavy duty off-road trailer with a rooftop tent that also had the same type of tires and lift on it. There were spots in this road all the way through to where Desert Creek trail ends in residential area near Highway 208, with huge rock, boulders, narrow road, sheer drop off edges and very twisty all the way down. The pictures posted originally for the trail do not do this justice and I'm wondering if they really did ride it all the way through. Majority of the time I was in 4 low and second or first gear. It was a long day, but I was able to do some fishing along the way in the creek. There is more like 5-6 creek crossings, deep ones.
Kenneth K
Oct 24, 2023
2021 Toyota Tacoma
Open

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