As our followers know and all can see from the depth of our catalogue here, we love Nevada for its off-roading opportunities - and southern Nevada is no exception. The Mojave Desert, of which Las Vegas (our base of operations for 2012) is part, is as wide open as it gets. While the off-road traveler here is somewhat restricted by the season (summer is just too hot), today, January 16th, is perfect with tempuratures in the mid 60s. Now that the new year has arrived and days are getting longer we plan to warm up with some day trips around the Las Vegas area itself. Some may not be aware that just to our west is a section of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest with its Mt. Charleston Wilderness Area as well as its Spring Mountain National Recreation Area, a prime off-roading area. We'll be starting to hit that any day now. Also just a hop, skip and a jump away to our northeast is the Arizona Strip, maybe the best off-roading area in that state. Since many of these short trips do not constitute by our standards a Dirt Road Adventure we plan to chart them and put them up on a new page called the "Free Zone". Look for that as the spring progresses.

Southern Nevada is also heaven to dirt bikers. Muchos activity. But recently we learned how much care must be taken while off trail hopping - a terrifying incident. Southern Nevada is honeycombed with mine shafts. You must be somewhat familiar with where you're riding, especially at high speeds. One rider wasn't. He hopped a mound in unfamilar territory and plunged 3500 feet down a shaft, dying, of course, as a result. Some planning of a riding itinerary is, if not compulsory, always, to say the least, reasonable. Just know the danger exists. Sorry for that bummer, but a word to the wise is never a bad thing.

So here we are looking forward to a whole new season. First up this spring look for a trip deep into the Kaibab National Forest - this also to the north rim of the Grand Canyon to an area known as Pointe Sublime. We're excited about this one. It looks, too, like we've come up with another trip through the Dixie National Forest in Utah, this one in the Escalante District - that's the most easterly section. And thirdly (that is if the landslide has been repaired) we will be charting White Rim Road through Canyonlands, this hopefully with video potential which we will post on our new sister UTube page. So get up and get out into our Great American West!

Here's the list of 2011's Dirt Road Adventures:

1). Uinta Wilderness-North Five stars, no question. Put some soap on your saddle for this Utah adventure. Two five mile stretches of Cat #5. Breathtaking!

2). Toroweap Four stars, for sure. This spot on the north rim of the grand canyon will knock your socks off. Some Cat #5 on this one too.

3). Dixie National Forest Three and a half stars and rising. A little humping Cat #4 into #5 at the beginning of this Utah trip, but great for beginners who want to take on something more.

4). Pioche to Great Basin Three and a half stars too. This trip along the Utah/Nevada border is a place no one ever goes, easy too.

5). Route 66 to the Grand Canyon Three stars. This easy trip to the south rim of the Grand Canyon takes you through an absolutely pristine high desert ecology.

6). Death Valley-South Three stars as well. This beginners trip takes you to a camp site you'd never dream existed.

And lastly,

7). Mojave Preserve-North Three stars and every one earned. Another great little spring or fall adventure just to warm up. This one is great for beginners. See Joshua trees like you've never seen them before.

Just can't wait to get going.

See you in the summer.

And thanks again for all your support,
The DRA team