‘Loneliest Road’ offers adventure, history on Nevada’s Highway 50

We had simply completed a two-week keep in Colorado, exploring each Denver and surrounding space, in addition to the 4 nationwide parks and several other nationwide monuments in that state.

Going through a multi-day drive again to Central California, we had a alternative of routes. Partner Susan, neither the adventurer nor historic nut that I’m, advised Interstate 80 (quickest return by a number of hours). I, nonetheless, selected Freeway 50, the “Loneliest Street in America,” to revisit numerous the websites we now have explored up to now and uncover a few new novel stops.

For the sake of these of you who may plan a visit from Central California headed east, this travelogue gives highlights touring from west to the east, on the path of Native Individuals, pioneer historical past, railroad journey and a shocking, lightly-visited nationwide park.

Crossing from Central California, you will have a alternative of mountain passes (as soon as snow removing is accomplished on Freeway 108 and Freeway 4), in addition to Freeway 88 or Freeway 50, open year-round, which all join into Freeway 50 crossing Nevada.

Lengthy described because the “Loneliest Street in America,” the freeway will get that identify attributable to lengthy stretches between cities and in a few of them, restricted providers resembling fuel, auto restore or medical service. So, greatest have your automotive prepped for this journey throughout the Silver State, in addition to any private drugs. Lonely, sure, however spectacular surroundings and historic websites compensate.

Early on our journey throughout Nevada, close to Fallon, we stopped at Grimes Level Interpretive Heart, that includes petroglyphs getting again 1,000-2,000 years, left by the Northern Paiute individuals. 1000’s of years earlier, Lake Lahonton lined the world as much as 800 toes deep; as its waters receded it left the Grimes Level space excessive and dry, the place native peoples left scores of fascinating etchings on giant rocks alongside former sport trails.

Right here the freeway parallels the outdated Pony Categorical route and was the trail of the Overland Stage Firm. A one mile hike takes guests off the freeway to the stays of the Pony Categorical Chilly Springs Station, constructed of rocks and dust to guard from raiding Native Individuals and harsh winters.

The station operated solely from April 1860 to October 1861, when the transcontinental telegraph made the operation unprofitable. Explorers may even discover the stays of an outdated stagecoach cease, New Go Station, which operated from 1861 to 1869 (when the transcontinental railroad put the stagecoach out of enterprise).

Cities alongside the outdated street like Carson Metropolis, Fallon, Austin, Eureka and Ely exhibit their historical past proudly, and are a few of the cleanest outdated downtowns we’ve visited. Take the time to stroll the outdated downtown of Eureka and admire the outdated lodges, Eureka Opera Home and different buildings properly over 100 years outdated.

We spent the evening in Ely, a city we now have visited numerous occasions and a spot of close by worthy stops.  New on this journey was go to to Ely’s Nevada Northern Railway Museum, among the best preserved historic railroads and lively roundhouse and store operations in the USA. The railway was constructed over a century in the past to service what was one of many largest copper mines in North America. Right this moment, a number of of the unique coal-fired customary gauge locomotives, delivered new to the railroad greater than 110 years in the past, are nonetheless in operation.

Guests can stroll by way of the railyards, wander by way of the locomotive retailers, take 90 minute passenger prepare rides, all hosted by skilled and well-informed docents who will carry the expertise again to you as should you had been transported again to 1915.

Ely is near Cave Lake State Park, a fairly reservoir with great fishing, tenting and exploration alternatives. Simply east are the historic Ward charcoal ovens, in a state historic park, that includes six enormous brick beehive-shaped ovens used to assist course of silver ore. Close by ghost cities additionally provide fascinating choices to ghost city aficionados, together with Ward, Cherry Creek, Treasure Metropolis, Pioche, Hamilton and Lane Metropolis. Whereas exploring, maintain a pointy eye for the wild Mustangs that thrive within the Nice Basin space.

In japanese Nevada, the foremost attraction is Nice Basin Nationwide Park. In 2021, Yosemite Nationwide Park was swamped with 3,287,595 annual guests; Yellowstone with 4,860,242. Nice Basin was visited by solely 144,875 individuals; a gem awaiting your discovery. The park surrounds Wheeler Peak, the second tallest mountain in Nevada at 13,064 toes. With three glowing campgrounds, together with one above 9,000 toes, and an Worldwide Darkish Sky Park, views of the Milky Manner are merely beautiful.

The park gives the solitude of the desert, sagebrush, jack rabbits, mountain lions, mule deer and the darkest of nighttime skies. Add the attract of Lehman Cave, established as a nationwide monument in 1922, then expanded to the nationwide park in 1986. The Lehman Cave tour is spectacular, winding about 1500 toes into the mountain. Whereas not the longest or most cavernous of US caves, it’s thought to be some of the highly-featured, jammed with beautiful stalactites, stalagmites, shields and other-worldly formations in its spectacular rooms, grottos and tunnels.

On an earlier journey, we explored the Bristlecone Pine Groves above 10,000 toes on Wheeler Peak. Take the trailhead at 9,800’, and hike the Bristlecone Grove Path, a 2.8 miles round-trip to about 10,500 toes. On the Grove, we discovered Bristlecone Pines, a few of them as much as 4000 years outdated, with Wheeler Peak looming majestically within the distance. The path continued larger to a small glacier, then onto the height’s summit (we determined to cross!).

For more information: for Loneliest Street highlights, go to travelnevada.com. For Nice Basin Nationwide Park, nps.gov/grba, (775) 234-7331; Nevada Northern Railway, nnry.com, (775) 289-2085; Tenting, recreation.gov, or (877) 444-6777.

Contact Tim, tviall@msn.com. Joyful travels within the west!