MTB Project Logo

Ash Canyon to Kings Canyon Trail

Intermediate/Difficult
 4.5 (22)

Seven plus miles of twists, turns, smiles, and views of Eagle, Washoe, and Carson Valleys.


Your Rating:      Clear Rating
Your Difficulty:
Your Favorites: Add To-Do · Your List
Zoom in to see details
Map Key

7.1

Miles

11.4

KM

Singletrack

6,729' 2,051 m

High

5,543' 1,690 m

Low

1,209' 369 m

Up

707' 215 m

Down

5%

Avg Grade (3°)

17%

Max Grade (10°)

Dogs Off-leash

E-Bikes Unknown

Non-motorized trail

Description

Go east on Ash Canyon Rd. from Carson City or climb from Foothill Rd. (near the baseball field at Western Nevada College) up the Ash Canyon Trails to where 4 Day and Evidence intersect and go down to Ash Canyon Rd. (make sure to keep an eye out for traffic as you come down to the road). Pass an excellent water hole for your four-legged trail partner and continue up Ash Canyon Rd. to the trailhead kiosk (signage soon to come).

Once here, drop down on the singletrack and turn right at the intersection, continuing until you intersect Ash Canyon Creek (there will be a bridge soon at this location). Cross Ash Canyon Creek and enjoy a smooth, singletrack climb up the south side of Ash Canyon.

The trail comes to a nice overlook of Carson City and then turns west and continues above Taylor Flat and back into the Ash Canyon where the climb continues to a boulder gateway.
The trail then continues to follow a south by southwest trend with several switchbacks, climbing turns, and flowing twists and turns till the fist segment of the trail ends at Waterfall Rd. above treeline at a large boulder outcrop.

Take Waterfall Rd. south following the doubletrack downhill for approximately 0.6 miles and follow the singletrack down to the North Fork of Kings Canyon Creek (a right turn off of the road). Be careful not to carry too much speed and drop below the treeline. If so, you'll be able to see a series of switchbacks on the hill to the south of the road and you have gone too far.

Cross the bridge over the North Fork of Kings Canyon Creek and stop to enjoy the waterfall just downstream from the bridge. From here the trail goes down a series switchbacks and continues through to Kings Canyon Rd., and the second trailhead kiosk.

From here, either follow Kings Canyon Rd. down to Carson City or turn around and climb back to the Waterfall Rd. intersection and enjoy the downhill back into Ash Canyon and all then way down the Ash Canyon Trails to the hike and bike path near Western Nevada College and Foothill Dr.

This trail was built by Muscle Powered volunteers and by the Great Basin Institute (GBI) and is a cooperative effort between Muscle Powered, Carson City, and the USFS Humbolt-Toiyabe National Forest. Funding for bridges, the GBI crews, and tools were provided by the Recreational Trails Program. If you have any critiques, we are always looking for ways to improve and create an enjoyable "mini-vacation" experience for all users.

Contacts

Local Club: Muscle Powered

Shared By:

Toby Welborn

Trail Ratings

  4.5 from 22 votes

#618

Overall
  4.5 from 22 votes
5 Star
50%
4 Star
45%
3 Star
5%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#7

in Nevada

#618

Overall
17 Views Last Month
13,249 Since Jan 23, 2015
Intermediate/Difficult

0%
0%
55%
15%
30%
0%

Photos

Vista overlooking beautiful Carson City, on the way back to Ash Canyon.
Jun 14, 2016 near Carson…, NV
Traveling back towards Ash Canyon from Kings Canyon
Jan 23, 2015 near Carson…, NV
About the half way mark on the bottom of Ash Canyon to top of loop. There is typically a Dog Bowl with water at this location.
Sep 7, 2015 near Carson…, NV
Bridge on the Kings to Ash Canyon loop where it crosses Kings Canyon Creek - great spot for a break on the ride from Kings to Ash Canyons. The creek runs all year round; it is cool, and is refreshing.
Sep 7, 2015 near Carson…, NV
Early ride after section completion, trail crew is enjoying the fruits or their labor.
Jan 23, 2015 near Carson…, NV
Brand new sign
Nov 1, 2022 near Carson…, NV

Weather


Current Trail Conditions

Minor Issues 12 days ago
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

May 21, 2022
Dave Carroll
Jul 7, 2019
Dave L
12h 50m
May 28, 2019
Blaine Piedralibre
Trail is in great condition. 14.8mi — 1h 45m
Oct 22, 2018
Steve Ferguson
Sep 1, 2018
Sean Canty
App
Oct 8, 2017
Alex Penney
great trail. I would rate this as intermediate rather than advanced. 11mi
Sep 10, 2017
Nathan Harris
7.1mi — 2h 00m
Aug 18, 2017
r0cb0y Wycoff
Steady grade. Out and back is fine. Evening high school team. 1900 Elevation gain is a step up for me. 14.2mi