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The colour categories are based on what percentage of users are riding a trail in its intended direction.
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Trails are colored based on popularity. The more popular a trail is, the more red. Less popular trails trend towards green.
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SaveWard Mountain Recreation Area North and South trailheads are separately administered by the BLM and the U.S. Forest Service. A developed and newly renovated campground is located at the US Forest Service Trailhead on the South side of the Highway. Trails (20 miles) are available for hikers, bikers, cross-country skiers, and horses. Warming/rest shelters are available along several of the trails. Restrooms are available at both trailheads. For more information on the Forest Service campground and trailhead, you can contact the U.S.F.S., Ely Ranger District (775) 289-3031. Things to note: At the North trailhead there are 4 trail loops of various lengths: 10 miles total that meander through the sagebrush and pinyon-juniper forests of Ward Mountain. These trails are available for hikers, bikers, cross-country skiers, and horses. Warming huts/rest shelters are available along these trails. There is an interpretive hike (0.4 miles) “Weeds of the Great Basin” with 12 interpretive signs placed at various intervals. Other amenities: Picnic tables, shade structures, trash cans and restrooms at trailhead. No potable water at North trailhead. Restrictions: Motorized use is prohibited on the signed trail system. Shooting is not allowed within developed recreation sites.
Primary Trail Type: Cross-Country
Shuttleable: YES
Land Status: National Forest
google parking directions plan a road trip here Access Info:
Trails can be accessed from the Ward Mountain Recreation Area, 10 miles west of Ely on Hwy 6. The Ice Plant trails can be accessed from 80th West on Hwy 6, where the speed limit reaches 55 mph. Follow this road to the power line road and park at the 3rd turn on the right. You can also ride to this area direct from the White Pine Courthouse or Great Basin Community College. NF Road 440 allows access to the top for shuttling purposes. Please, be respectful of established roads and parking areas, as well as the privacy of homes in the area.
Trail info last updated
Activities Click to view
- Mountain Bike
50 trails
- E-Bike
42 trails
- Hike
47 trails
- Trail Running
47 trails
- ATV/ORV/OHV
4 trails
- Snowshoe
12 trails
Region Details
- 11
- 1
- 26
- 9
- 2
- 1
Region Status
Open as of Sep 13, 2026Local Trail Association
Stats
- Avg Trail Rating
- Trails (view details)
- 50
- Trails Mountain Bike
- 50
- Trails E-Bike
- 42
- Trails Gravel Bike
- 11
- Trails Adaptive Bike
- 4
- Trails Winter Fat Bike
- 18
- Trails Horse
- 3
- Trails Hike
- 47
- Trails Trail Running
- 47
- Trails Dirtbike/Moto
- 3
- Trails ATV/ORV/OHV
- 4
- Trails Snowmobile
- 1
- Trails Snowshoe
- 12
- Trails Nordic Ski
- 13
- Total Distance
- 59 miles
- Total Descent
- 9,116 ft
- Total Vertical
- 2,604 ft
- Highest Trailhead
- 9,061 ft
- Reports
- 280
- Photos
- 115
- Completed Counter
- 5,239
Articles
Mountain Bike News, Photos, Videos & Events | Pinkbike
Apr 13, 2026 from betamtb.com
Pinkbike is the homepage of mountain biking. Stay updated with the latest news, reviews, videos, buyer's guides and racing results. Join the...
Popular Ward Mountain Mountain Biking Trails
• 100 ★ 4.8 • 4,961 ft • 0 ft • 333 •
This is a downhill option around the jump section of Ice Plant. It is very fast and flowy, but don't overshoot the whoops!
• 100 ★ 2.0 • 2 miles • 34 ft • 282 •
This is typically the downhill side of the Ice Plant loop system. It features a fast, narrow trail through meadows and a winding descent through a wash to the bottom. Riders can follow the power line road back to the lower parking area...
• 90 ★ 5.0 • 1 mile • 91 ft • 280 •
New Trail built by Great Basin Trail Alliance to avoid ATV/ Quad/ Moto traffic
• 85 ★ 3.9 • 4 miles • 5 ft • 279 •
This is the main trail above Ice Plant Canyon. There are various options and side trails for riding this, including a shuttle from the top. The trail is mostly smooth downhill with some rocky areas, a few features, and optional jumps at...
• 85 ★ 4.0 • 2,661 ft • 46 ft • 272 •
This is a narrow cross trail, often used for a loop option.
• 95 ★ 5.0 • 1,411 ft • 106 ft • 260 •
Flow Trail built by Great Basin Trails Alliance working with USFS. Non motorized.
• 60 ★ 4.0 • 1,962 ft • 6 ft • 227 •
Moderately popular green difficulty singletrack. This mountain bike primary trail and has a easy overall physical rating with a 6 ft green climb. On average it takes 3 minutes to complete this trail.
Ward Mountain Mountain Bike Routes
★ 5.0 • 6 miles • 694 ft • 5 •
Ensure all intersection are clearly marked.
4 miles • 642 ft • 3 •
Shown on the map is the section that we don't use in the race, I just built it as a loop because that is...
5 miles • 935 ft • 3 •
The intersection at the beginning of Lower Total BS has been confusing for some riders.
2 miles • 243 ft • 2 •
4 miles • 588 ft • 7 •
A great variety of trails to showcase what the Ice Plant area has to offer. Takes 1 to 1 1/2 hours total...
8 miles • 1,071 ft • 3 •
Start at Ward Mt Recreation Area Campground South Trailhead
Photos of Ward Mountain Mountain Bike
Videos of Ward Mountain Mountain Bike
Recent Trail Reports
| status | trail | date | condition | info | user |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Making Pancakes | Sep 13, 2026 @ 4:09pm (America/Los_Angeles) Sep 13, 2026 | Dry | Frankboboutside | ||
| No Excuses | Sep 13, 2026 @ 4:09pm (America/Los_Angeles) Sep 13, 2026 | Dry | Frankboboutside | ||
| Rope Tow | Sep 13, 2026 @ 4:09pm (America/Los_Angeles) Sep 13, 2026 | Ideal | Frankboboutside | ||
| Ward Loop H | Jul 16, 2026 @ 10:43am (America/Los_Angeles) Jul 16, 2026 | Unknown | MarthaJ427aW | ||
| G Loop | Jul 2, 2026 @ 2:21pm (America/Los_Angeles) Jul 2, 2026 | Dry | Rudolf4sFFmV | ||
| Birkebeiner Loop D | Jun 6, 2026 @ 2:38pm (America/Los_Angeles) Jun 6, 2026 | Unknown | tobypalmer1 | ||
| Powderberry Divide | Jun 4, 2026 @ 4:38pm (America/Los_Angeles) Jun 4, 2026 | Dry | aobbard | ||
| FreeWheeler | Jun 4, 2026 @ 4:36pm (America/Los_Angeles) Jun 4, 2026 | Ideal | aobbard | ||
| Total BS | May 24, 2026 @ 9:22am (America/Boise) May 24, 2026 | Ideal | ride-singletrack23 | ||
| Lower Total BS | May 24, 2026 @ 9:22am (America/Boise) May 24, 2026 | Very Dry | ride-singletrack23 |
Activity Feed
| username | action | type | title | date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BrianntaYtB | wishlist | trail | activity #105564383 | Oct 9, 2026 @ 5:05pm Oct 9, 2026 |
| MWindersRenoRobotNR2feK | comment | trail | activity #105505138 | Oct 8, 2026 @ 5:59pm Oct 8, 2026 |
| shautzee | wishlist | region | activity #105448626 | Oct 7, 2026 @ 7:56pm Oct 7, 2026 |
| Redhawk | add | trail | activity #105349122 and 1 more | Oct 6, 2026 @ 10:28am Oct 6, 2026 |
| Madstod | wishlist | route | activity #105196910 | Oct 4, 2026 @ 7:33am Oct 4, 2026 |
Recent Comments
| username | type | title | comment | date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| trail | Yep counter clockwise. The trail is marked as... | Oct 8, 2026 @ 5:59pm Oct 8, 2026 | ||
| trail | Ely is coming up! This trail is classic loose... | Sep 14, 2026 @ 8:19am Sep 14, 2026 | ||
| trail | In addition, this trail is unsustainable as... | Aug 27, 2026 @ 10:45am Aug 27, 2026 | ||
| trail | See comments below!!!! | Jul 16, 2026 @ 10:56am Jul 16, 2026 | ||
| trail | Really cool descent. Old school, twisty, loose... | Jun 4, 2026 @ 4:39pm Jun 4, 2026 |
Nearby Areas
| name | distance | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Squaw Peak | 2 | 1 | 4.8 km | ||
| Ward Charcoal Ovens State Park | 4 | 3 | 12.1 km | ||
| Cave Lake State Park | 3 | 6 | 12.8 km | ||
| Northern Schell Creek Range | 33.5 km |
Local Badges
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Completionist0 awarded
Local Mountain Biking Directory
-
SportsWorld
-
Great Basin Trails StewardshipTrail Association
![Great Basin Trails Stewardship]()
Activity Type Stats
| activitytype | trails | distance | descent | descent distance | total vertical | rating | global rank | state rank | photos | reports | routes | activity logs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mountain Bike | 50 | 59 miles | 9,117 ft | 25 miles | 2,605 ft | #2,790 | #13 | 111 | 280 | 10 | 3,545 | |
| E-Bike | 42 | 51 miles | 8,451 ft | 22 miles | 2,605 ft | #2,870 | #17 | 255 | 389 | |||
| Gravel Bike | 11 | 15 miles | 702 ft | 3 miles | 1,837 ft | #3,029 | #1,417 | 24 | 3 | |||
| Adaptive Bike | 4 | 7 miles | 20 ft | 1,867 ft | 1,591 ft | #3,036 | #1,418 | 23 | ||||
| Winter Fat Bike | 18 | 25 miles | 3,786 ft | 11 miles | 1,512 ft | #3,029 | #1,418 | 10 | 1 | |||
| Horse | 3 | 5 miles | 194 ft | 3,514 ft | 1,509 ft | 6 | ||||||
| Hike | 47 | 57 miles | 7,969 ft | 22 miles | 2,598 ft | #4,296 | #21 | 4 | 280 | 1 | 102 | |
| Trail Running | 47 | 57 miles | 7,969 ft | 22 miles | 2,598 ft | #3,418 | #15 | 280 | 1 | 61 | ||
| Dirtbike/Moto | 3 | 5 miles | 194 ft | 3,514 ft | 1,509 ft | 6 | ||||||
| ATV/ORV/OHV | 4 | 7 miles | 233 ft | 4,488 ft | 1,509 ft | #697 | #9 | 6 | 1 | |||
| Snowmobile | 1 | 1 mile | 138 ft | 52 ft | 1 | |||||||
| Snowshoe | 12 | 22 miles | 3,435 ft | 10 miles | 1,535 ft | #717 | #1 | 4 | ||||
| Nordic Ski | 13 | 21 miles | 3,514 ft | 10 miles | 1,463 ft | 3 | 5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
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What are the highest rated mountain biking trails in Ward Mountain?
The highest rated mountain biking trails in Ward Mountain are:
- The Whoops (4.4/5)
- Making Pancakes (4.2/5)
- Rope Tow (4.2/5)
- Total BS (4.1/5)
- G Loop (4.1/5)
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What is the best time of the year to ride in Ward Mountain?
Based on activity log data, the most popular months to ride in Ward Mountain are:
- June (94 activities)
- September (69 activities)
- October (54 activities)
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Where can I park to ride in Ward Mountain?
There are 6 parking locations listed in Ward Mountain. The most popular parking spots are: View all parking and trailhead locations on the map to plan your visit.
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What is the longest trail in Ward Mountain?
The longest trail in Ward Mountain is G Loop at 7.6 km. View all trails sorted by distance.
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What are the best & highest rated hiking trails in Ward Mountain?
The best hiking trails in Ward Mountain are: View all hiking trails sorted by popularity score.
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What are the best & highest rated trail running trails in Ward Mountain?
The best trail running trails in Ward Mountain are: View all trail running trails sorted by popularity score.
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How many trails are in Ward Mountain?
Ward Mountain has a total of 50 trails. Browse top mountain biking trails in Ward Mountain to find detailed information including difficulty ratings, distances, and trail conditions.
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Which trail has the most elevation gain in Ward Mountain?
The trail with the most elevation gain in Ward Mountain is High Alpine with 241 m of elevation gain. View all trails sorted by elevation gain.
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Which trail has the most elevation descent in Ward Mountain?
The trail with the most elevation descent in Ward Mountain is Powderberry Divide with 516 m of elevation descent. View all trails sorted by elevation descent.
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What activities are most popular in Ward Mountain?
Ward Mountain supports the following activities: Mountain Biking, E-Biking, Hiking, Trail Running, ATVing/Offroading, Snowshoeing.
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What bike services are there in Ward Mountain?
The following bike services are available in Ward Mountain:
- Bike Shop (1)
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What are the steepest mountain biking trails in Ward Mountain?
The steepest mountain biking trail in Ward Mountain is Lower Total BS with an average grade of 10.5%. View all trails sorted by grade.
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Are the trails open in Ward Mountain?
The overall region status for Ward Mountain is Clear / Green. Out of 41 trails:
- Clear / Green: 39
- Minor Issue / Yellow: 1
- Closed: 1
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Can I ride an ebike in Ward Mountain?
Yes, Ward Mountain supports e-bike riding. There are 30 trails in Ward Mountain that allow e-bikes. Check the e-bike trails listing for specific trail access details and any local regulations.
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What are the most popular mountain biking routes in Ward Mountain?
The most popular mountain biking routes in Ward Mountain are: View all mountain biking routes in Ward Mountain.
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What type of bike is most common in Ward Mountain?
Based on activity log data, the most common bike types used in Ward Mountain are:
- AM (17 activities)
- XC (7 activities)
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What are the most popular Strava Segments in Ward Mountain?
The most popular Strava segments in Ward Mountain are:
- Whoops! That's a Hot Lap (1,025 athletes)
- G Loop hut to Rope Tow (913 athletes)
- Tin Pan Alley UH (814 athletes)
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What are some popular technical trail features in Ward Mountain?
There are 2 technical trail features (TTFs) in Ward Mountain. Some popular features include: View all technical trail features in Ward Mountain.
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What trails are closed in Ward Mountain?
There are currently 1 closed trails in Ward Mountain. The breakdown of all trail statuses is:
- Clear / Green: 39
- Minor Issue / Yellow: 1
- Closed: 1
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What are the most popular mountain biking trails in Ward Mountain?
The most popular mountain biking trails in Ward Mountain are: View all mountain biking trails sorted by popularity.
▼
What are the best beginner ride trails in Ward Mountain?
The best beginner mountain biking trails in Ward Mountain are:
- No Excuses (3/5)
- Shelter Connector Trail (3/5)
- The Whoops (4.8/5)
Activities
Trails
- By natenbake & contributors
- Admins: GBTS
- #3387 - 10,161 views
- ward mountain activity log | embed map of Ward Mountain mountain bike trails | ward mountain mountain biking points of interest
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