Golden Hour
An after-work lap of Landmine Loop from Blue Diamond: gentle climb out west, rolling desert singletrack back as the escarpment lights up.
Your timesno timed runs yet
Ride mode times every run on its own: the clock starts when you roll out of the start and stops at the finish, with splits at each marked spot. Leave Ride mode on between laps and it re-arms when you're back at the start. Times stay on this phone.
Right now at the trailhead
Get the GPS file
Scan with a friend's phone, or tap below. Then open it in your ride app.
- iPhone: tap Download, open it from the Downloads bar, then Share → Trailforks, Strava or Garmin.
- Android: tap Download, then open the file and pick your app.
- Garmin: or drag it into Garmin Connect → Courses → Import on a computer.
https://bsqrd-designs.com/dirt/golden-hour/
Getting there
Park at Cottonwood Station
14 Cottonwood Dr, Blue Diamond, NV 89004
- Small-town cafe lot. Park considerately, and buy a coffee after.
- Start and finish are the same spot. Follow the cue sheet and the arrows on the map.
Cue sheet
| 0.0 | Singletrack connectorsingletrack | 0.2 mi |
| 0.2 | Dirt roaddirt road via Landmine Loop start | 0.6 mi |
| 0.8 | Landmine Loopsingletrack via West end at Black Velvet Access Road | 2.6 mi |
| 3.4 | Black Velvet Access Roaddirt road | 0.1 mi |
| 3.5 | Landmine Loopsingletrack via South side descent | 3.0 mi |
| 6.6 | Old Spanish Trailsingletrack via Old Spanish Trail crossing | 0.3 mi |
| 6.9 | Molly'ssingletrack | 0.1 mi |
| 7.0 | WigWag Trailsingletrack | 0.3 mi |
| 7.3 | Landmine Loopsingletrack | 0.8 mi |
| 8.1 | Village Boulevardpavement | 0.2 mi |
| 8.3 | Back at Cottonwood Station |
Know before you go
- Counterclockwise: the north side climbs gradually toward Black Velvet, the south side gives it back on the way home. Riders on MTB Project call this the direction with the better finish.
- Landmine earns its name in spots: mostly fast hardpack with scattered rock gardens and a few loose drainage crossings. Intermediate, not a cruise.
- Few signs and plenty of side spurs; follow the GPX. A short street section through the village finishes the loop.
- Bring lights if you start late; the lot is in town, but the far end is 3 mi out. Burros and wild horses use the trail at dusk. Legal basis: BLM-designated Cottonwood Valley system.
Ride smart
- Water: plan on about 1 L for this ride. There's none on the trail.
- Signal is spotty. Tell someone your route and your time back.
- Emergency: call 911 and say "Golden Hour ride, parked at Cottonwood Station, Blue Diamond / Cottonwood Valley", plus the coordinates from Locate me.
- Wildlife: give horses, burros and anything with horns room, and never feed them.
- Stay on trail. Desert crust and mountain soil take decades to heal.
Report a problem or share a photo
Washout, closure, new fence or a missing sign? Got a great shot of a junction? Send it. It goes straight to Ryan; photos he approves show up on this page with your credit.
Trail photos
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End ride?
Turn calls, the timer and your recording stop when the ride ends.