Photo trip to Western Nevada

[Paul Cocklin]

Hello all. I've scoured the forum's past postings for any info on this, and found some, but I was wondering if anyone could expound a little.

My girlfriend is flying to Havasu next Thursday for five days and I'm taking advantage of this to drive out into Nevada and do some shooting in mining country. Specifically I would like to get some shots of abandoned cabins, old mine equipment, etc. "Life of a Miner" type stuff.

I was going to try to drive up to Bodie on my way into Nevada, but I've never been there before (have been to Lee Vining and Mono Lake) and someone was warning me off of Bodie because of the snow that may be there.

Any tips on locations would be great and much appreciated. I can't wait to get out there and really get into LF!
Thanks

Paul

ps any tips on places to eat and sleep would be helpful, too. I will be bringing a tent, and I was planning on at least one night in the car. Is that allowed? I'm originally from West Philadelphia and camping was definitely a no-no there. Thanks again!

[Tom Perkins]

Paul,
The distances are pretty healthy out here, so it depends on where you're coming from and how far you mean to go. In Tonopah, there is a wonderful mining park, several hundred acres, with equipment, dumps, the hoists and head frames. From there you can go to Manhattan and Belmont to the North, or South to Goldfield, Goldpoint and Rhyolite. These are just the more accessible places and you can find them on a map. Bodie would be hard to get to this time of year. Jim Galli lives in Tonopah and is very generous with his time. Have a great trip.

[Ralph Barker]

South of Las Vegas, east of Hwy 95 on State Route 165, there's a little "town" called Nelson. There's a small mining park there, with a fair amount of equipment and a couple of shafts. Lots of interesting "detail" stuff.

[Paul Cocklin]

Thanks for the info. I forgot to mention I will be coming from the Sacramento area, so up either I-80 or Rt. 50 towards Tahoe, and then either south on Rt 395 or farther east on Rt. 50. I've been dyin' to go down the 'loneliest road'. Maybe towards Ely and then down to Tonopah.

Thanks Ralph, but I think south of Vegas is a little too far for me to drive. I might have to check out Nelson on another trip, though! sounds cool...

[Tom Perkins]

Paul,
If you head out 50 you can check out Ione and Berlin or else go to Austin and then head South, which will take you past the turnoffs to Manhattan and Belmont that I mentioned. I forgot to answer your other question. Camping is okay out here but you can find good lodging for $40-50 a night and you will be traveling in the high desert which is still pretty cold this time of year. There is a forest service campground at Big Creek; the road turns South about 3 miles this side of Austin and it's a good dirt road about ten miles into the Reese River Valley, along the Western slope of the Toiyabe range. Truthfully, you could get lost with a camera in that canyon and never get around to worrying about the mining ruins.

[Eric Leppanen]

Paul,

Bob Hitchman, author of the excellent Photograph America newsletter, recently wrote an issue on Nevada Ghost Towns. Single issue purchase price is $8.50.

www.photographamerica.com/issue83.htm

[John Kasaian]

FWIW the "Rule of Thumb" for mine safety says that if you can cover the entrance to a mine with your thumb, thats about as close as you should get.

Have fun!

[austin granger]

If you do get to Tonopah, look for the cemetary next to the clown motel (no, I'm not kidding). Some interesting tombstones there for those killed in mining accidents.

[Kevin Kemner]

Paul,

See if you can find a book by Stanley Paher "Nevada Ghost Towns and Mining Camps". If you can only find the two volume set you will need both volumes. Given where you are starting, I would suggest a route that takes you over to Austin and then down towards Tonapah. There's a bed and breakfast in Belmont that's fairly reasonable and has good food if you want to stay there. Ask the owner if they can open up the old courthouse for photography. You will also find plenty of stuff to photograph in Austin and Tonapah as well. From Tonapah you could also go down to Goldfield and Goldpoint if you were so inclined. You may want to visit Virginia City, Dayton, and Sutro. Try to get to Virginia City in the morning before all the tourists and stay away from the main street.

You will find that lodging out away from Reno is fairly inexpensive and more convenient than camping. You can certainly find ok lodging for around $50 a night.

Good Luck and get the Paher book.

Kevin

[Paul Cocklin]

Thanks so much to all for the great info! I am definitely going to get down to Tonopah, though by the more direct route down 95 or 50 east first is still debatable. I ordered some of the back issues of Bob's Photograph America newsletter, and I think I'll get them before I leave; apparently he's in the bay area. I also ordered (for $68!) Stanley Paher's 'Nevada Ghost Towns...' but that won't arrive before i go; guess I'll just have to make another trip!

Thanks again to all that helped; I printed this thread out so I have it with me. I'll post any shots that are keepers on my website if anyone would be interested in seeing them.

Paul