The cowboy trails might just be the best scenic trails in the Vegas area. The trails are fairly new compared to the other local trails. This trail system has by far the steepest longest climb of all the local trails and also has the infamous "BONESHAKER" trail. To get to these trails park at the trail head of "cowboy trail rides" located on HWY. 159. From west las vegas take the charleston/215. Follow charleston to the RED ROCK NCA and you will see the trailhead to the east side of the road. From Henderson and South end of Vegas take the HWY. 160 to Blue Diamond(159) and follow 159 until you get to theRED ROCK area. Trail head is to your right(east.)
The cowboy trails really only have one
way of going up. From the trail head go South(your right) from
the wooden fence. Take this beast of a climb up into fossil canyon
And stay to the right(you can shave some time by taking the dirt
road at the top of fossil canyon). There are quite a few trail
crossings so you can get confused if first riding the area. Reference
the MAP for details. All the trails have numerous "step ups",
tight rocky techy parts, and riding on "the edge" of
a cliff tid bits. Some of the trails are not well ridden and are
full of numerous cacti and desert plants. The DH runs here are
comparable to bootleg canyon but, i would consider them a lot
more "outback" style. They are not as well maintained
and are very loose and rocky. If you are from low lands bring
an extra set of lungs for these trails. If you ride at higher
elevations you should be ok for the elevation change. Over all,
if you don't mind a pretty techy climb for a superb DH experience
you shouldn't pass up these trails!
