Bob Gnarly Trail

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Nearby Essentials

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Common Questions

Distance:: 1.79
Class:: 2
Dogs:: Ok
Route Style:: connector
Trail Condition:: Primitive
Tags:: mountain biking, remote feeling
Difficulty:: Easy
Parking:: Roadside pull-offs and informal parking areas along the SR-159 south side / Blue Diamond side are typically used for access to the Cowboy Trails network. Park legally, avoid blocking gates or shoulders, and expect conditions to vary.
Restrooms:: No
Reception:: No
Access:: Alongside SR-159, between the Scenic Loop entrance and exit. Also known as "Skull Canyon", in the Cowboy Trails region.
Good to Know:: Connector route to Overlook Ridge.
Why:: Wonderful experience hiking this route at dawn or to shield yourself from high temperatures moving through the canyon. Common sightings of predator birds such as hawks and owls. Bike or hike;
Wildlife Probability:: Unknown
Trailhead coordinates:: 36.12213, -115.42668 — Map

If you're looking for mountain biking in Las Vegas, this is it! The Bob Gnarly trail is but one of many opportunities for thereof. Be it hiking or biking, this trail serves as a connector to the Overlook Ridge trail. It's also a nice introduction to what the Cowboy trails offers. Locals may also refer to this region as Blue Diamond Hill. Regardless, most of these mountains are part of Red Rock Canyon Las Vegas (Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area).

The Bob Gnarly trail is a route leading hikers and bikers from nearly ground level, up and through a narrowing canyon with a progressive incline. Hiking shoes are highly recommended here. They provide far more foot support, more confidence, and overall stability than traditional shoes. Though the trail does not consist of scrambling or even route finding, careful attention to navigation is still required. There's several forks along the way and Bob Gnarly is a primitive/ unmaintained trail.

Blue Diamond Hill and Mining History

This nebulous series of mountains contain an array of trails for both hiking and mountain biking. Come winter, some areas are covered in snow...which undoubtedly adds an additional layer of adventure and unique terrain. Due to the exposed nature however, high temperatures can downgrade the experience exponentially or simply render this region off limits. Hiking in the very early morning hours or late afternoon is a wonderful experience. Regardless, plan your experience carefully.

Moreover, this region has something no others possess. Bizarre black holes are scattered haphazardly about and are not natural geological formations. They're exposed remnants from mining excavations. Circa 1925 - 2004, Blue Diamond Hill was home to one of the world's largest gypsum mines which left semi large chutes very visible today. Of which were created by mining operations to extract gypsum—a mineral used in drywall and plaster.

Discovering one of these bizarre black holes may initially look geologically related. Or even eerie. Do not explore these abandoned mine shafts as the surrounding rocks may be unstable or could pose sinkhole risks. Additionally, they may be home to bats, barn owls, rattlesnakes, rodents, coyotes, bobcats, or even mountain lions (cougars) depending on size and depth.

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