Bailey Pass by Bicycle - Velo

Bailey Pass

This pass is short, low and sweet, with a top that is sharp and well defined. Let adjectives do the talking. The range it crosses is also quite low by Great-Basin Range standards, the Diamond Spring Range. There is a great view from the summit, because of its strategic location between the Roberts Mountains and a large, mostly dry lakebed, lined by ranches.

1.START-END WEST ALT:relative flat point on Nv278, where it crosses Hot Creek
2.START-END EAST: profile turns east onto gravel road
3.TOP: Bailey Pass,6810ft
4.START-END WEST: jct with Brown-Saddler Road in Diamond Valley near Bailey Ranch

Approaches

From North.The profile includes a long stretch on Nv278. It puts the relatively small elevation gain of the gravel road over Bailey Pass in perspective. The day ride, detailed below, below comes down from the other side of Nv278 over Garden Pass.

There are two possible routes that turn off Nv278, that meet fairly close to Bailey Summit. Neither of the turnoffs are signed. Both are gated, but not locked, and easy to miss. But they are the only two gravel roads, that head east, when heading down from Garden Pass, direction north.

The one in the profile is the more northerly of the two and leaves a short distance north of the one and only house that you pass when rolling down Garden Pass. As is often the case around here, it first looks like the climb is going to be over as soon as it crosses the fault line and enters the mountains. But of course it is not. But it certainly doesn't take very long to get to the top. The top is extremely well defined, and there are nice views in both directions. the Roberts Mountains to the west and fringes of water in Alkali Flat, invading Diamond Valley with its salty tentacles. An ATV path from the summit heads a little higher in both direction.

From West. While the other side has a very bicycle friendly surface, this side is quite a bit more rocky, and would be difficult to ride up. When approaching the valley, the road splits, and the main branch climbs one more small balcony for a view over the lake. The bottom of the approach is extremely rutted, sandy or washed out, depending on the current weather emergency, flood or drought, it is usually one or the other.

Dayride with this point as highest summit

PARTIALLY PAVED / UNPAVED

( < Henderson Summit | Angel Lake(ow) > )

Bailey Pass , Garden Pass , additional out and back : jct Garden Pass Rd - Nv 278 > up unmarked gravel road going east > Bailey Pass > jct with Sadler Brown Rd <> out and back on Sadler Brown Rd north with turnaround point after ~11.3miles >> Sadler Brown Rd south > Nv278 north > Garden Pass > back to starting point at jct Garden Pass Rd - Nv278:: 51.8miles with 2380ft of climbing in 5:04hrs (garmin etrex32 m5:23.5.28)
Notes: the weather this year is completely different than expected: today light rain in the desert with winter gloves weather.