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Old Sheep Ranch

Saturday, December 23, 2023

Other Names

Buckeye Rd, Minden, E. Valley Rd, Buckeye Creek, Dangberg Dam, Williams Canyon Well, Uhadi Well, Pine Nut Valley, Sunrise Pass Rd

Last Known StatusOpen

This area offers about 15 miles of fire roads, a few side trails, and a very long sand wash. You won't find many challenges here (unless it snows!) but if you stay on the main power-line road it will take you to the old sheep ranch which has a shady spot by the creek and makes a nice resting point. The alternative is to follow the sand wash which eventually leads up into the mountains. Either way you'll have to navigate around a fair amount of private property and some confusing fenced areas, which are scattered throughout the area. Bottom line - a nice change of scenery, but there are some much better places to ride in the area.

Trail Map... Nearby ATV Trails...

REGULATIONS

Permit RequiredYesNVOHV sticker required
Dates OpenYear-Round
Other ATV Stickers AcceptedYesNevada registration is not required if the vehicle is already registered in another state and will be located in Nevada for no more than 15 days.
Spark ArrestorYesA spark arresting exhaust silencer or end cap is required for all vehicles.
Noise LimitYes (96 dB)
Whip FlagsNot Required
Maximum Vehicle WidthNo Restriction
Allow Dirt Bikes, Trail Bikes and Motorcycles Motorcycles & Dirt BikesPermitted
Allow All Terrain Vehicles / Quads / Four Wheelers ATVsPermitted
Allow Utility Terrain Vehicles, Side by Sides (SXS), RZR UTV & SXSPermitted
Allow 4x4 Jeeps, SUVs and 4 x 4 Trucks with License Plates SUVs & Jeeps (registered)Permitted
Dune Buggy & Sand Rail
4x4 (unregistered)
Permitted
2 Stroke EnginesNo Restriction
Camping / Overnight RV Parking CampingNo Restriction(camp anywhere)
Campfire Restrictions CampfiresNo Restriction
Night RidingYesNot Recommended
Trail BlazingProhibitedstay on the trail
AlcoholNo Restriction
Rule EnforcementNone
Commentmost roads and trails have private property signs on one or both sides
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TERRAIN

Approx Size15,360 acres (24 sq mi)
Miles Of Trail20
Climate TypeDesert
Elevation5000 to 7000 ft.
Trail MaintenanceNot Marked, Not Rated, Not Maintained
Loose DirtThis trail has little loose dirt.Little
Hard PackThe trail has some hard pack terrain.Some
SandThis trail has mostly sandy areas.Mostly
MudThe trail has little mud after it rains.Little
DustThe trail has some dust on typical days.Some
RocksThis trail has little rocks.Little
TreesThe trail has some trees.Some
Steep HillsThis trail has few steep hills.Few
Water CrossingsThe trail has no water crossings.None
Small JumpsThis trail has no small jumps.None
Large JumpsThis trail has no large jumps.None
BermsThe trail has no berms.None
Sand/Gravel PitsThis BLM land has no sand or gravel pits.None
Single TrackThis BLM land has few single track trails.Few
RoadsThis BLM land has mostly roads.Mostlymany sand washes
IntersectionsThis trail has few intersections.Few
Rider TrafficThe BLM land has few rider traffic on typical days.Few
ShadeThis BLM land has few shaded areas.Few
Ranges/GunfireThis BLM land has few shooting ranges or gunfire.Few
HazardsThis trail has few hazards.Few(hazards not marked)
ravines & deep washouts
Easy Terrain NoviceThis trail has mostly beginner terrain.Mostly
Moderate Terrain AmateurThis trail has little intermediate level terrain.Little
Difficult Terrain ExpertThis trail has no expert terrain.None

TYPE OF AREA

AreaMotorized Trails
LandBLM, Power Lines

KEY SERVICES

Gasoline Gasoline1-5 Miles (W)Star Mart (775) 623-9879
Diesel Diesel1-5 Miles (W)Minden
Potable Water Water1-5 Miles (W)Minden
RV Hookups RV Hookup5-20 Miles (W)Carson Valley RV Resort (800) 321-6983
RV Dump Station RV Disposal5-20 Miles (W)Carson Valley RV Resort (800) 321-6983
Primitive Camping Campground5-20 Miles (W)Zephyr Cove RV Park & Campground (775) 589-4907
Convenience Store Conv Store1-5 Miles (S)Smiths Food & Drug (775) 782-0155

FEES & PASSES

Parking(None)
Entry(None)
Riding(None)
Camping(None)

RATINGS

Prossecluded, free, decent scenery
Consmostly roads, dry river wshes, too much private land, dispersed
Our RatingRatingFair
Recommended StayHalf Day
late spring
Comments(Scroll Down For Rider Reviews & Comments)

DRIVING DIRECTIONS

Nearest CityMinden, NV
Go Back To Nevada List
Trail MapGo To Trail Map
From: Carson City, NV
1) Take I-395 South toward Minden (approx. 15 miles)
2) Turn left (east) on Buckeye Road and continue approx. 3 1/2 miles
3) Turn left on E. Valley Road and continue approx. 1 mile
4) Turn right on the powerline lined dirt road* (largest double-pole power lines)
5) Stage anywhere along this road - (continue along this same road to the trails).

*Note: The powerline road is currently where the smooth paved road changes to a more roughly paved road, however there is a lot of new development going on in this area, so things may be somewhat different than described.

OFFICIAL CONTACTS

Contact InfoBLM - Carson City District Office
5665 Morgan Mill Road
Carson City, NV 89701
(775) 885-6000
blm_nv_ccdowebmail@blm.gov
www.blm.gov

RIDER COMMENTS & REVIEWS

Old Sheep Ranch Trail Photo

Old Sheep Ranch Trail

Old Sheep Ranch Trail Photo

Honda CRF Motorbike at Old Sheep Ranch Trail

Old Sheep Ranch Trail Photo

Honda CRF Motorcycle at Old Sheep Ranch Trail

There are a few challenging spots, but this is not typical.

Old Sheep Ranch Trail Photo

Honda CRF Dirt Bike at Old Sheep Ranch Trail

Old Sheep Ranch Trail Photo

Honda CRF Trail Bike at Old Sheep Ranch Trail

Snow patches like this can sometimes last until about May or June.

Old Sheep Ranch Trail Photo

Honda CRF Dirt Bike at Old Sheep Ranch Trail

Um... that's an interesting style.  There are just a couple of muddy sections like this in the spring.

Old Sheep Ranch Trail Photo

Honda CRF Dirt Bike at Old Sheep Ranch Trail

Old Sheep Ranch Trail Photo

Honda CRF Motorcycle at Old Sheep Ranch Trail

Old Sheep Ranch Trail Photo

Honda CRF Motorbike at Old Sheep Ranch Trail

Old Sheep Ranch Trail Photo

Honda CRF Dirtbike at Old Sheep Ranch Trail

Old Sheep Ranch Trail Photo

Honda CRF Trail Bike at Old Sheep Ranch Trail

Old Sheep Ranch Trail Photo

Honda CRF Motorcycle at Old Sheep Ranch Trail

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Old Sheep Ranch Trail Photo

Honda CRF Dirt Bike at Old Sheep Ranch Trail

Old Sheep Ranch Trail Photo

Honda CRF Off-Road Bike at Old Sheep Ranch Trail

Old Sheep Ranch Trail Photo

RV Trailer Staging Area and Camping at Old Sheep Ranch Trail

Stage anywhere along this power-line road.

Old Sheep Ranch Trail Photo

OHV at Old Sheep Ranch Trail

Old Sheep Ranch Trail Photo

Honda CRF Motorcycle at Old Sheep Ranch Trail

Woops, maybe a little too early in the spring.  We made a valient effort though.

Old Sheep Ranch Trail Photo

Terrain example at Old Sheep Ranch Trail

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Old Sheep Ranch Trail Photo

Honda CRF Motorcycle at Old Sheep Ranch Trail

Old Sheep Ranch Trail Photo

Honda CRF Motorcycle at Old Sheep Ranch Trail

Old Sheep Ranch Trail Photo

Honda CRF Motorcycle at Old Sheep Ranch Trail

The sand washes are deep and exhausting, but the main hard-pack trail and the wash run mostly parallel, so you can choose.

Old Sheep Ranch Trail Photo

Scenery at Old Sheep Ranch Trail

This ride showcases the beauty of Nevada's high desert terrain.

Old Sheep Ranch Trail Photo

Honda CRF Dirtbike at Old Sheep Ranch Trail

The tree lined sand wash was a blast.  Wish we had brought the two-strokes.

Old Sheep Ranch Trail Photo

A trail at Old Sheep Ranch Trail

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Old Sheep Ranch Trail Photo

Honda CRF Motorcycle at Old Sheep Ranch Trail

Old Sheep Ranch Trail Photo

Honda CRF Motorcycle at Old Sheep Ranch Trail

Old Sheep Ranch Trail Photo

Terrain example at Old Sheep Ranch Trail

Old Sheep Ranch Trail Photo

Honda CRF Off-Road Bike at Old Sheep Ranch Trail

Old Sheep Ranch Trail Photo

Honda CRF Off-Road Bike at Old Sheep Ranch Trail

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