Ladybug

And my final for tonight...the last town of this day was Ellsworth. And on our way back to camp...a real treat to see! Good night from Nevada! A Land of Wonder and Vastness and Really Cool Stuff!

Inside the Berlin mill....a 30 stamp mill complete with concentrating table and rifling table.... Looking back into Berlin and its homes that are here. This is a state park, and well preserved. We couldn't get to the town of Union, so headed over to Grantsville next. An old adobe building from the 1860s. And their most impressive mill. Talk to me if you want more details about some of these! Many of these mills were stamp mills, or ball and rod mills, and/or included cyanide leaching tanks or mercury rifling tables, etc etc.... From the old mill, looking down on the trail. The assayers office is the building shown. It actually still contained labeled bags of samples! The remains of the stamp mill at Grantsville.

From Eureka and Austin, we head to Gabbs Nevada. Our first stop, after setting up camp - the ghost town of Lodi. The Illinois Mine was the largest producer in this area. I was grateful that I had spent so much time researching all these areas, as this had us stumped...until I read my notes! This is a 100 ton smelter! And it was only used for 1 month before the mining company closed it, claiming bankruptcy due to the cost of shipping the ore. That's why we found only a relatively small amount of slag in the area, and the bricks had very little burning on them. Our campsite these nights provided a great opportunity for shepherds pie dinner one night, and apple cobbler the next. And the next day, the most very impressive Berlin mill. To the left of the mill is its machine shop.

The old mine shaft and mill at Jefferson....This was a great trail ride to get to this town. And all that's left of Round Mountain. The mining company moved the town, since the richest vein they found was right under the town. All that is left at this site now is the cemetery. Hugh mine tailings in the background. This is a very active and successful and LARGE gold mine now.

One might think that once you've seen one ghost town, you've seen them all...but that is so not true. The days are flying by - as we travel through vast valleys between numerous mountain ranges, and marvel at the number of mines and variety of mills and mining techniques that have been used here for the last 160 years....And some mines are still going. Today we drove past the mine at Round Mountain and another at Eureka - both successful gold mines still going strong...although not using the techniques of years past! Just a few shots as we have gone from Caliente to Pioche, to Ely and then Eureka and Austin, Gabbs and Tonopah. Tonight we are in Elko... What is also fascinating is the number of times we cross or follow either the Pony Express Trail or the Overland Stage trail. An old mill in the ghost town of Kingston Nevada...rather, the remains of one.

We are in and out of cell phone coverage....check us out on facebook if you get a chance...I'll post there as well....Nevada is so very awesome! We are seeing stuff we have never seen before...like a 100 ton smelter! An almost complete stamp mill with concentrating table and rifling table! Such cool stuff! smiles and love from Tonopah (momentarily!) ladybug

We finally got to the ghost town of Piermont....and although we did not hike over to the stamp mill and mine tailings, we were able to see old foundations, plus the remains of an 1870 log cabin. The views were absolutely stunning... Oh, and we saw wild horses today! Made my day! On our way back to Ely, we encountered more rain... We were glad to have avoided it until then. And we'll be glad that this is the last day of rain for awhile..! And yes, that is a coating of hail on that mountainside. Tomorrow we head over to Austin - via US 50 - the Lonliest Highway in America.

We've been the last few days in Ely, and have had to change plans due to crappy weather....Big bummer, but most of you know that I am somewhat infamous for having to get to plan B ...or C or D.... The view from our KOA campground... And dinner for the group our first night here....Chicken, wild rice, veggies... Cobbler yet to come. John is drooling.... The rain on Tuesday was flash flood level for much of this part of Nevada. The plan was to run to the ghost towns that encircle Treasure Mountain. We drove the 35 miles on blacktop and turned onto the trail...Within 50 yards we stopped. It was sloppy clay and we had barely begun and were leaving tracks that were unsuitable. So we all agreed...this was bad. Knowing we had to climb to 7500 ft elevation, and with the large dips right at the beginning of the trail - if one of us slid off, winching would be just as tough. So we ended up driving out to the most incredible coke ovens. These are the best that we've ever seen...These ovens were used to burn the wood to make the charcoal that the mining smelters needed. So today we dug around to find an area that would be without rain....and that was to head north. What a gem of a ride! I had researched this town...Piermont, but gave it up on my list because it was rather out of the way. Well, what a most beautiful day! Turning off US 93, we were at one of the Pony Express stops. And then we climbed the Shellbourne Pass - following the Pony Express trail. And along the way - the Spring Valley Stone House. This was a stage stop for the Overland Stage. (Pony Express only lasted 19 months, then the Overland Stage took over 1862-1869. This stage stop had extensive corrals and horse barn, with this stone station. A fire in 1900 destroyed all but the house. The well for this stop was enclosed in the back room of the house. And boy, did we move cautiously when we saw the interior wall of one of the rooms...note the skins!

The next day we stop at Cathedral State Park for a 2 mile hike. And then stop at Pioche - where the first 72 people to die here were from "Lead in the Head". This was the most violent town in the west. Consolidated Shaft #1. And the start of the tram line that goes down to a large mill on the other side of town.. And Steve posing at Boot Hill Cemetery...In front of Murderer's Row.... Murderers Row...nothing fancy here. A few of the headstones identified the names and who shot/stabbed them. After Pioche, we headed to Ely, where we are now for a few days. All is going well except for today and tomorrow with lots of rain....Plan B. or C or D....we'll figure it out.... smiles and love to all, Moses

Yes, Nevada is beautiful!! We've been here 4 days, and experienced a good hail storm and then a day of rain today which has kept us off of the trails for the day. Bummer, but after slipping around on this clay for 50 yards, and witnessing the damage to the trail head, common sense and 'Tread Lightly' prevailed...(as it should) Just a few shots for now... Nevada is full of wide open spaces, long roads and valleys, and mountains where ever you look. Our campsite at Kershaw Ryan State Park in Caliente. We barely had pulled in when the hail came down. A bit later the park ranger came through and informed us we could not get into town...they were working at clearing a landslide. All was good by the next morning, and we witnessed many digging out the mud and clearing town streets. The next day we head to the ghost town of Delamar. First stop was the cemetery. Then up the hill and around the corner to Delamar. Not much of this town is still standing, as compared to pictures from a few years back... By looking into one of the (many many ) books that I have about Nevada, the pictures from the 1890s showed this to be a huge mill. And by looking at those pictures, we determined it was not a stamp mill, but most likely at ball and rod mill. Complete with ovens and all kinds of equipment.

Hey Goose! How fun to see you post again!!! It will be fun to see you again! smiles, ladybug

Hey Many Thanks for the appreciation badge! I will wear it with honor and Gratitude! smiles and love, ladybug

Looking good Brady!!! smiles, ladybug

Great pics! Love the pup!! smiles, ladybug

I agree! Great trip report and great pics! Thanks for sharing!!! Glad you all had fun and made it safely through!! smiles, ladybug