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PostPosted: Mon Nov 29, 2010 8:34 pm 
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For Thanksgiving weekend I had the opportunity to forgo the usual Turkey feast and instead dine on nothing but sweet desert singletrack.

Day 1 - Howdy Cowboy

Despite having ridden in the Las Vegas area many times, this would be my first trip to the Cowboy Trails.

No thanks, I brought my own ride.
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Initial climb proved to be just what I was looking for - chunky narrow goodness.
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Tons of sections to test your technical skills. Ran into one very friendly group of equestrians on the way up. They would be the only people I encounter on the trails the entire day.
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I had arranged to meet a fellow DTer at the trailhead after he got some work done, so after a climb half way up the mountain, I turned and descended through a stunning canyon heading back towards the start, then taking a super technical ridgeline then switchback trail that drops to the horse stables.
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Found Kaackster at the bottom, and I mixed it up on the climb back up, half on the same climb, half in the nice canyon I'd come down.
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And up higher the views began to really come together.
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Noted without comment.
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We continued on a couple great lasso loops, then Kaackster had to bail. Nice riding with you, and thanks for meeting up. :cheers:
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I continued on to the top to get the grand view and token strip shot.
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Absolutely amazing ridge trail and descent over to Boneshaker.
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Boneshaker wasn't quite as gnarly as I'd anticipated, but still had a couple drops that I chose to pass up alone in dwindling light. I didn't conquer all the trails here I'd aimed for on this trip, but I'll be back to finish the job.


Day 2 - Off the Map at Bootleg Canyon

My goal for Bootleg was to hit up trails I'd passed up in past visits, but mainly to explore the trail that links Mother trail to the far end of Caldera that is not shown on the system map. I've seen the trail off Caldera for about 7 years.

Upon arrival, I found a 12-hour race in progress, even utilizing the little jump track near the entry for the course. Between racers, I hit the little track and started my day of riding.
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I shared the race course again on IMBA to POW to Par None, then I headed out on my own to Mother - the trail that started it all out here.
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Hitting a nice little Mother section I hadn't yet explored.
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Now off the official map, the trail is well traveled and beautiful.
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This missing link had nice flow.
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Getting a Strip view from the other direction.
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Occasional rock tech sections kept my stoke meter high.
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Finishing it off, I declare it a perfect trail that I'll be taking on my next visit. Up next, I explore Inner Caldera, built only about 3 years ago, and find some sweet rock lines.
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I opt to ascend Boy Scout next and drop Skyline, despite cloud cover and increasing winds. One of the better tech trails you'll find here with several pucker drops. Here, just a chunky switchback.
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After that I descend East Leg, which continues throwing fun techy ups and downs my way.
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Stopping at a different sort of race course for a quick drop down.
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After a Subway lunch break, the sun breaks out and the winds decrease. I head on to the new-to-me Upper Lake View, which fulfills its promise.
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The zip line tourists were going all day.
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I've got time for at least one more loop into the canyon, and head up West Leg. Below, I see the poor racers still at it. Just 4 more hours to go for them. Without lights, it'll be much shorter for me.
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At the top of West Leg, I yearn to hit Outer Caldera. But the sun is setting, temps are getting into the 40s, and it's time to turn around. I make the most of my descent on the super flowy Girl Scout. Fantastic weekend on some incredible trails.
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The following 19 users would like to thank Robo for his or her post:
amor587, bajamtnbkr, bankerboy, Canaan, Dirtrider, EMFC, evdog, gabriel keating, Gman, GP_pilot, jSatch, KIMO, kreechan, moondogg, Red Hot Sloth, rob240z, sierragoldens, tfitz, ValE
PostPosted: Mon Nov 29, 2010 8:49 pm 
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SWEEET!!! That's definitely my kind of trail.

Nice pics too, but it's a shame you didn't get any of your bike. :roll:


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PostPosted: Mon Nov 29, 2010 9:39 pm 
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Great pics Robo. I'm out there next week for work and a little play. I've done bootleg quite a few times, but wanted to explore more of the cowboy trails as last time I had limited time. Did you have a map of Cowboy?


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PostPosted: Mon Nov 29, 2010 10:07 pm 
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That was an awesome set of pictures! Nice TR as well.

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PostPosted: Mon Nov 29, 2010 10:32 pm 
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Awesome pics Rob! One of these days I'll make it out there....


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PostPosted: Mon Nov 29, 2010 11:06 pm 
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Thats a really great report. nice bike!

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PostPosted: Mon Nov 29, 2010 11:59 pm 
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When you leave your camera on the ground......is it ever hard to find the spot where you put it after riding away? I keep thinking of Fargo (the movie).


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PostPosted: Tue Nov 30, 2010 9:33 am 
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Robo wrote:
Boneshaker wasn't quite as gnarly as I'd anticipated, but still had a couple drops that I chose to pass up alone in dwindling light. I didn't conquer all the trails here I'd aimed for on this trip, but I'll be back to finish the job.

hmmm...maybe try taking off your sun glasses 8)

Excellent tr, really like all the self photos, you are good at that. How did you get the jump photo? I suppose you have been practicing so you won't have to ride with us anymore?

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PostPosted: Tue Nov 30, 2010 9:40 am 
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sierragoldens wrote:
When you leave your camera on the ground......is it ever hard to find the spot where you put it after riding away? I keep thinking of Fargo (the movie).


I think I did lose my old one a couple times, but now I have a flaming orange one that is hard to miss. Though I did almost land on it during one jump in a gust of wind! :lol:


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PostPosted: Tue Nov 30, 2010 9:42 am 
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406 wrote:
How did you get the jump photo?


The only way I can get those is to record a video and grab a screen shot. My newer camera has HD vid capability, so the shot is higher res than I used to get, but still not very crisp.


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