That’s because it IS the loneliest road in America.I've been through Nevada before, but never on US-50. I've heard it called the "loneliest road in America" a few times.
I would love to see it someday, and I'm interested in what others have to say about it.
RM,That would be an excellent multi-day trip. I first drove the length of it around 1995. Omitting the Reno/Carson area, my rough calculation of population along its length was about 10,000 back then. I drove it again ten years later when I lived in Reno.
In this case, the drive really is the destination, but there are several spots to visit right off the road. Watch for state and BLM signs about landmarks and historical areas. That was a Pony Express route, so I know there are some sites about that.
Some I remember, from west to east:
--Grimes Point petroglyphs. Right off the highway, and you can walk among boulders marked with petroglyphs.
--Somewhere east of Fallon you could drive to an earthquake fault. (That might not mean much to you as a Californian.) The road was a little too rough for my old Duster when I tried it in 1995, so I turned around.
--Sand Mountain, also near Fallon
--Just outside of Austin, I think, was an old cemetery with wooden grave markers.
--Hickison Petroglyph area. Good place for a short walk. Depending on the time of day, you might find a little shade there.
--I highly recommend Great Basin National Park. There's a cave at the bottom, and ancient bristlecone pines at the top. It also has Nevada's only glacier.
--I remember a gas station that was bisected by the NV/UT state line, with slot machines on the Nevada side of the building.
Good to know ... thanks!That’s because it IS the loneliest road in America.
Heading East out of Fallon, when you see the sign that says, “no gas next 160 miles” that is a fact. Make sure you fill up in Fallon. No gas, no towns, no cell service.
Also, watch for low flying jets…
I drove it in 1967 going east to west, then again in 1988 going west to east, and finally a partial trip in 1992-93 as an adjunct to a trip to the Lake Tahoe area.That would be an excellent multi-day trip. I first drove the length of it around 1995. Omitting the Reno/Carson area, my rough calculation of population along its length was about 10,000 back then. I drove it again ten years later when I lived in Reno.
In this case, the drive really is the destination, but there are several spots to visit right off the road. Watch for state and BLM signs about landmarks and historical areas. That was a Pony Express route, so I know there are some sites about that.
Some I remember, from west to east:
--Grimes Point petroglyphs. Right off the highway, and you can walk among boulders marked with petroglyphs.
--Somewhere east of Fallon you could drive to an earthquake fault. (That might not mean much to you as a Californian.) The road was a little too rough for my old Duster when I tried it in 1995, so I turned around.
--Sand Mountain, also near Fallon
--Just outside of Austin, I think, was an old cemetery with wooden grave markers.
--Hickison Petroglyph area. Good place for a short walk. Depending on the time of day, you might find a little shade there.
--I highly recommend Great Basin National Park. There's a cave at the bottom, and ancient bristlecone pines at the top. It also has Nevada's only glacier.
--I remember a gas station that was bisected by the NV/UT state line, with slot machines on the Nevada side of the building.
About 20 years ago I took a 2 week motorcycle trip from Minnesota to Colorado, Utah and Wyoming to visit a few National Parks and the lonliest road I was on was I70 west from Green River Utah to Salina. The sign coming into Green River said something like no gas for 110 miles. I figured no worries since my bike could go at least 160 before I hit reserves. I forgot about the elevation change (duh). Rolled into Salina on fumes.Heading East out of Fallon, when you see the sign that says, “no gas next 160 miles” that is a fact. Make sure you fill up in Fallon. No gas, no towns, no cell service.
Yea-it's the wide open spaces in the West that many East of the Mississippi have never experienced. I have traveled extensively through the South and East Coast. Once you cross the Mississippi there is really no "middle of no where" .About 20 years ago I took a 2 week motorcycle trip from Minnesota to Colorado, Utah and Wyoming to visit a few National Parks and the lonliest road I was on was I70 west from Green River Utah to Salina. The sign coming into Green River said something like no gas for 110 miles. I figured no worries since my bike could go at least 160 before I hit reserves. I forgot about the elevation change (duh). Rolled into Salina on fumes.
Over the years I've visited numerous cemeteries. One of my earlier visits was to Boothill in Tombstone, AZ. I was surprised at how segregated it was, with separate sections for blacks, Jews, and Chinese. When I was there, flowers were still being placed on Billy Clanton's grave.RM,
You posted "old cemetery with wooden grave markers."
Old cemeteries are often a very rewarding visit while on a road trip.
This is the "middle of Nowhere"Yea-it's the wide open spaces in the West that many East of the Mississippi have never experienced. I have traveled extensively through the South and East Coast. Once you cross the Mississippi there is really no "middle of no where" .
The ghost town sounds great. I'll definitely look into it. Places like that often provide interesting photo opportunities. I'll be stopping at Austin, and I've recently visited Virginia City. for the suggestions.Ely has a railroad museum.
Austin is a neat little town.
Although not on 50, Berlin ghost town is definitely worth a visit.
Also, Virginia City.
Detours are fine, Berlin and the fossils are on the itinerary. Thanks for jumping in.Lehmann Caves. A little detour is required. Berlin has ichthyosaur fossils on display.