This 36-Hours of Adventure Exploring the Nevada Desert is Presented by:
EagleRider Rentals and Tours
Last year, Las Vegas hosted 40 million visitors to its restaurants, hotels, shows, and casinos. Most never leave the strip, but there are untold adventures within a day’s ride of the city. During my recent trip to the annual SEMA Automotive Show, I booked a few extra days for exploring the Nevada desert with the EagleRider rental company. We have always been a fan of flying and renting for overland adventures, and EagleRider provides an easy way to grab an adventure motorcycle or UTV and go!
EagleRider started in 1992 out of their San Pedro, California garage, renting motorcycles. Their first clients were travelers from Austria and it has expanded to over 200 locations worldwide with the newest and largest motorcycle fleet on the planet. This gives the opportunity for overlanders to fly into one of the locations and rent a BMW GS, Harley Pan America, Africa Twin, and more for point-to-point trips across classic routes like Route 66 or a week in Death Valley. Recently, they launched bespoke guided backcountry rides using premium UTVs. I took this opportunity to load up a few Yamaha Wolverine units with friends and family to explore the Spring Mountains and Bird Spring Range.
The journey started off with a tour of their massive rental facility on the south side of the city. We were greeted by Tim Pedregon, the Off-Road Tour Manager. Tim is a veteran and passionate overland traveler with decades of experience in the dirt. The checkin process included the typical wavers and forms, followed by a helmet fit. Each one of the helmets connects to a filtered cool air system on the Wolverine. During the tour I was shocked by the number of motorcycles available, with nearly 400 units on site from most major brands. There were even Ténéré 700s for rent- impressive.
We watched a detailed trail guide video that delved into important topics like convoy etiquette, wildlife protection, Tread Lightly, and Leave No Trace. Tim was professional and made clear the importance of our group leaving the desert better than we found it. During the trip he even observed speed limits and had us engage 4WD to limit wheelspin. The Wolverines were fitted with durable BFGoodrich KM tires.
Loading into a van, we made the 30 minute drive to Goodsprings Nevada and the Pioneer Saloon parking lot. There, the low mileage UTVs were sitting ready to drive and we went through a last minute trail meeting. I do not have a lot of experience with side-by-sides, but am always amazed by their capability and comfort. Each unit had a premium race radio with in-helmet speakers and mics, along with push-to-talk buttons for the driver and passenger.
Once away from houses and the chance of stirring dust, we upped the speed and headed across the desert through washouts, over rocks, and through a winding BLM landscape. The Spring Mountains are dotted with tall peaks, Potosi Mountain visible from the route at over 8,000 feet. We meandered through Horseshoe Gulch and encountered wild Mustangs, creosote bush, white bursage, and blackbush. It had been a dry summer, so the fresh air pumpers were a welcome addition, aided by the cool November afternoon.
The tour continued further into the mountains, gaining elevation to Wilson Pass and stunning views towards Mount Charleston. We traded off driving, with Tavia showing her off-road skills and her uncle Tim ending the tour demonstrating his performance driving experience, all while Damon captured content from the back seats. Noah and Krizma took the wheel of the two door Wolverine, their smiles visible through the helmet shields. The group atmosphere, expert guiding, and having family and friends along made for my best UTV adventure to date.
The last section of the trip was the most technical, with tight canyons, ledges and rocks. The route also ran perpendicular to the watershed, resulting in deep washouts and hillclimbs. We stopped at an overlook that juxtaposed Las Vegas in the background, everyone in attendance abuzz from the adventure (and maybe the 1,000 cc motors). I also made note of Tim the Tour Manager walking the perimeter of the overlook, picking up trash left from other trail users. EagleRider doesn’t just preach Tread Lightly, they take action. Tim also shared plans for the future, which will include adventure motorcycle trips and even campouts in the region. For your next trip to Las Vegas, maybe skip the roulette table and take a real spin exploring the Nevada desert. . . For more information, visit EagleRider
