Smith Valley Trip Report
April 2009
Pine Grove, Nevada
We spent three days exploring the area around Smith Valley
Nevada in three UTVs - a Kawasaki Teryx, Polaris RZR and a Polaris RZR S. Walker
River Resort was our base camp, and each day we headed in a different direction.
The first day, we headed southeast to explore the old mining town of Pine Grove.
Day two, we headed north to explore the area around Ludwig Mine. And day
three we headed up Rickey Canyon into the Pine Nut Mountains.
The three side x side vehicles were perfect for this type of
terrain. Many trails were too tight for a 4x4, and we traveled about 170
miles in three days which would have been too tough for the kids on ATVs.
The weather was a little cold, so the PRP heated seats in the
Kawasaki Teryx and Polaris RZR were very nice. Also high on the list of
amenities were our Rugged Radio intercom and
radio which allowed us to communicate easily with our passenger and other
vehicle.
One big mistake in preparing for the trip came to the Lowrance
540c GPS in my Teryx. I failed to download trail detail to a chip, so
although we knew what our coordinates were, we didn't know what trails could
best take us to our destination.
Day One - Pine Grove:
From our RVs, we headed south and then east to Pine Grove.
We covered about 70 miles today. Got lost a few times, and took a
detour for a little Geocaching.
History of Pine Grove, NV
An Indian showed William Wilson the gold bearing rocks in
June of 1866 and prospectors stampeded the area through the summer. At
first called Wilsonville, the camp was renamed Pine Grove, with a post
office, the weekly news, and a population of 200. Two steam powered stamp
mills and three arrastras treated both both and silver ores, while stages
and freight lines brought in supplies and hauled out bullion.
In the early 1870s, the population reached it's peak of 600.
The tri-sectioned camp straggled for a mile of the canyon and contained five
saloons, three hotels, a variety store, a hardware store, a Wells Fargo
agent, a dance hall, blacksmith shops, general merchandise, barbershops, a
shoeshine shop, a school, oxen yards, livery stables, and two doctor's
offices.
Towards the end of the decade, the mines began to decline
and by 1893, the mines were worked only intermittently. Today, only a
few individuals work the mines from time to time.
Most of the buildings in Pine Grove were destroyed some
years ago when a severe storm sent a mudslide down the canyon destroying
almost everything in its path. Today, only a few buildings still remain.
Most notably the old boarding house which has about two feet of dirt
covering the first floor.
Pine Grove also served as a regional supply center for local
ranchers until the later part of the decade, when the mines began to
decline.
Remains of the cemetery are high atop the ridge on the north
side of the canyon.
Pine Grove, NV in the Toiyabe National Forest
Pine Grove Cemetery
SPOT Satellite Messenger "Check-In" links to Google Maps:
Day Two - Ludwig Mine:
We drove about 40 miles on this day. We headed north
from the Walker River Resort to Ludwig Mine. Afternoon brought some
rain so it cut our adventure short by a few hours.
Near the Homestake Mine - We climbed near the top of Shamrock Hill trying to
find a Geo Cache. Did not find the cache, but we did have some great
views.
Canyon from Homestake Mine over to Delphi Springs
Ludwig Mine Area - West of Yerington, NV
In this area of the state, copper was extensively mined, and
Ludwig is no exception. Copper ore was discovered in the mid 1860's and
produced for a couple of years, but they didn't have much luck smelting it
until after the turn of the century when the Nevada-Douglas Company bought
the mines in 1907. Almost a thousand people lived and worked at Ludwig until
1914, when activity waned. They began mining gypsum in the 1940's but by
1960 most everything was gone.
The train would go from Wabuska to Yerington and Mason, down
to Nordyke and Wilson, then swing through Wilson Canyon and head north on
the other side of the range to Hudson, Colony, and Ludwig.
There are lots of open mines that can be very dangerous.
Please be careful when exploring these areas.
Man dies after falling down mine shaft - Nevada Appeal, October 2008
SPOT Satellite Messenger "Check-In" links to Google Maps:
Day Three - Pine Nut Mountains:
Today we headed west over to the Pine Nut Mountains.
We traveled up Rickey Canyon off of Upper Colony Rd., just north of
Wellington. We climbed about 4,000 feet, but then ran into snow about
8,700 feet and had to turn around. This is a great trail with
spectacular views of Smith Valley.
Rickey Canyon - Pine Nut Mountains
About the Pine Nut Mountains - The Pine Nut Mountains take
their name from the Pinyon pine that dominate the slopes between 5000-7000
ft. The range starts in the north at the Virginia Range. They continue south
for approximately 40 miles where they join with the Sierra Nevada near Topaz
Lake and Leviathan Peak (near Holbrook Junction). They are bounded on the
west by the Carson Valley and to the east by Mason Valley.
After heading back down the canyon, we went southeast into
the Toiyabe National Forest just east of highway 338.
Southeast of Wellington in the Toiyabe National Forest
SPOT Satellite Messenger
"Check-In" links to Google Maps:
Other Photos:
GeoCaching:
Walker River RV Resort:
Walker River Resort has over 100 RV sites, many with
water, sewer and electric. The resort borders BLM land with
thousands of miles of OHV trails, and you are allowed to ride your OHV
in and out of the camping area.
Links:
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