Visiting Ghostly Towns in Nevada’s Esmeralda County
Main Street in Gold Point, Nevada. Mining shut down in 1962, but a dozen or so people still call it home.
I like a bit of barely populated desolation?as long as there are roads going through. And Esmeralda is apparently the second-most people-less county in these 48 contiguous states, with less than 800 people living on its 3,589 square miles. That means each inhabitant has more than four square miles to him- or herself. That?s a lot of room. No idea how many cell towers there are, as I foolishly left my cellphone at home.
Back when the area was part of New Spain, deep green gemstones called emeralds were found here. It has been noted that Nevada is the most mineralized state in the union, with lots of gold and silver. And now lithium, a mineral used in making more efficient batteries as well as a medicine for people with bipolar problems. That?s U.S. Route 95 stretching out in front of me, with Reno some 280 miles to the north; I?m going to stay in Esmeralda County for a couple of days.
I?m on a 2018 Honda Gold Wing Tour, and my trip planning gets me over four minor mountain passes on the way to Esmeralda. Those are Temblor Range summit on California State Route 58, Walker Pass on State Route 178, and then Towne Pass and Daylight Pass in Death Valley. Good roads all.
I do like the lighter feel, as well as the look, of this new machine, and soon find myself diving into the twisties in a rather un-Wingy way. That new double wishbone front end works very well on pavement, and...
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Backcountry Discovery Routes | Ep. 70 Rider Magazine Insider Podcast
27-04-2024 08:34 - (
motorcycle )