08 Aug 25 - Trip Report: Silver Canyon Bike Adventure

One of staff members, Colin, is in the midst of recovering from a significant calf surgery and has gotten into biking as a way to get back out experiencing the Sierra as he regains strength and function (so that he can return to the alpine and climbing!). Coincidentally, one of our co-owners, Sabine, is a big biker as well and loves heinous uphills. Knowing that Colin is a sucker for a good sufferfest, she goaded him into taking on the challenge of biking up the well-known 4x4 road up Silver Canyon Road/Trail just outside of Laws. Here's how it went!

Note: While our staff members chose to bike up the road/trail, it is also possible to drive or hike up it as well and our staff members shared the path with people doing both during their adventure. Be ready to share the road and give wide berth to other as there is always inherent danger in sharing the same path with people using different modes of travel.

Trip Report: 

Current As Of: 08 August 2025*

Activity During Report: Road and trail mountain biking in the White Mountains

Trip:

When life gives you lemons, you find a way to make (and even maybe like?) lemonade. I have been recovering from a surgery that sewed my right calf back together and so I have been on the hunt for activities that allow me to get out and enjoy the big terrain of the Sierra while respecting my surgeon's orders to stay off steep terrain and take it easy. Knowing this, my coworkers kept pushing me to get a bike and I finally broke, pulling the trigger on an aluminum hardtail mountain bike so that I could ride all the unimproved roads around Bishop in addition to the asphalt.

Hearing that I had gotten into biking and had discovered (perverse?) enjoyment in going up steep stuff like her, co-owner Sabine, infamous for her love of heinously steep trail bike rides, put down the challenge to go up Silver Canyon Road with her some time to see if I was up to the test. When it comes to adventure rides in the Eastern Sierra, Silver Canyon Road has a reputation for being steep, rugged, and unforgettable. Hell, it is meant to be used as a 4x4 road for local offroad vehicle club. It’s one of those climbs that challenges your body while rewarding you with scenery that shifts and deepens with every mile. Most people who don't bike the "road" think that people who do have a screw loose.

After a couple of test rides up Black Canyon Road southeast of Bishop and a reconnaissance ride on the initial part of Silver Canyon, I made the decision to accept the challenge and made plans with her to meet a couple days later, excited for the chance to test my mettle.

As the weather is triple-digits hot nearly every day in August down in the Owens Valley, early starts pay off. We set out early—long before the valley floor had warmed—to make the most of the cool morning air and to experience the canyon as the sun crept over the mountains. Leaving town at 0600, the overnight air in the valley still had some bite to it causing our hands to go slightly numb as we rode out on East Line street to the White Mountain Research Center. Just before the research center, we turned north onto the Poleta-Laws Road and had a front row seat to the morning alpenglow christening the Sierra on the other side of the valley. We made it to the intersection of the Poleta-Laws Road and Silver Canyon Road at 0630 and took a quick break to prepare for the slog ahead.

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The alpenglow as viewed from Poleta-Laws road en route to Silver Canyon just outside of Laws

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Seven minutes later, my nerves steeled, bladder empty of the morning caffeine, and some replacement fluids proactively taken onboard, I mounted my bike and we started up the canyon. Five minutes later, we arrived at the first stream crossing and the wooden road sign signaling that the game was officially afoot. Sabine confidently road straight through without hesitation while simultaneously issuing the challenge for me to do the same. Not  confidant at navigating the terrain without seeing the bottom, I declined...but was impressed and wanted to rise to the challenge for the crossings to come. So I did.

With each successive stream crossing (of which there are 5-7 depending on the amount of water flowing at the time of year ranging between 6"-18" deep with rocky, uneven bottoms), the road slowly pitched back little by little. Silver Canyon wastes no time reminding you that it’s a serious climb. Eventually, we were maxed out on our gears and working hard to continue steady progress over the uneven terrain.

The next couple of miles offered the playful mix of river crossings and shaded stretches. Each crossing sparkled in the dim light of dawn, offering only a partial view of the rocky bottoms and giving us a jolt of adrenaline as we splashed into the unknown each time. Riding through the sound of flowing water made it feel like we were tucked deep into the backcountry, even though we were less than 20 minutes outside of Bishop.

The loose gravel kept us honest, forcing balance and careful pedal strokes, while the grade itself demanded continuous cardio and leg strength. It’s the kind of terrain that hikers training for long Sierra approaches would love—the same sustained effort that builds endurance on the trail is found here on two wheels. Every turn of the pedals is a training investment, whether you’re preparing for a multi-day backpacking trip, a summit bid, or just stronger legs for the season ahead.

As the miles added up, so did the rewards. Behind us, the Owens Valley stretched out like a painted canvas with the Sierra crest glowing in soft alpenglow that slowly migrated across the valley towards us. Then, just as we had made it past the final water crossing, the sun finally cleared the White Mountains, sending golden light spilling across the canyon. The warmth chased away the chill of morning, and the shadows pulled back to reveal the rugged beauty of the canyon walls, the sage-covered hillsides, and the winding road in the front of us that remained to be conquered.

By 0845, the heat had begun to rise and we were in full sun already, but the timing was perfect. With the hardest work already behind us, we stopped to enjoy the scenery and have a snack before coasting back down, legs tired but strong, lungs filled with clean mountain air, and minds carrying that mix of effort and awe that only the Eastern Sierra can deliver.

All in all, Silver Canyon isn’t just a ride; it’s an experience that blends training and adventure. You’ll find river crossings, steep pitches, and world-class views—plus a workout that leaves you better prepared for any trail or peak you plan to tackle. For anyone looking to combine cardio training with a sense of discovery, it is a road worth riding, and one that will keep calling you back (every once in a while that is lol).

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The famous sign announcing the true start of the adventure just after the first water crossing!

Heading down canyon after a successful run up to the area at the base of the switchbacks.

Headed up canyon as sunrise finally peaks over the White Mountains to meet us just as we make it above the final water crossing

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