This is our second time riding these trails and we had just as much fun. I looked back at our blog and last time we rode this was in April 2022 when we passed through the area. Kershaw-Ryan State Park is an oasis in the desert, a sharp contrast to the rugged landscape that surrounds it. Natural springs grow a garden of wild grapevines, white oaks, fruit trees and willows. Samuel and Hannah Kershaw first moved to the nearby Meadow Valley Wash in 1873 and planted an orchard and garden where the park is now.
The trails are gaining in attraction. We ran into a guy and his wife, from Bend Oregon, who were passing through riding, and saw a few cars with bikes pass by. The trails on the front side that lead from the campground get a lot of use and you’ll probably encounter people hiking the switchbacks to the viewpoint. However, we only saw those two people riding the day we were on the trails. I think we managed to ride everything out there except the skid trail.
Elgin Schoolhouse
We checked out Rainbow Valley and the Elgin Schoolhouse since we were close by. The Elgin Schoolhouse was fully operational from 1922 through 1967, when it became more realistic to commute or bus kids into nearby Caliente. Once the school closed for good, it became a private residence for the Bradshaw family up until the 1980s, where it sat empty and unused for almost 20 years. Realizing that this historical treat was about to fall victim to the Nevada elements if they didn’t do something about it soon, the Bradshaw’s privately funded historic preservation, and donated this spectacular property to Nevada State Parks in 2005.
The historic schoolhouse is only open to see the 1st Saturday of every month for a couple hours so we didn’t get to see inside. 🙁
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