Reno

[ROL]

I'm more looking for odd (landscapes) and post apocalyptic (ruins) than pretty landscapes. What is close by?

The Black Rock Desert, particularly the last week of August (BRC – very "post apocalyptic").

Be careful at Pyramid Lake, observe the latest tribal regulations and "quicksand" road shoulders. There is a mustang relocation center just north of Sparks east of the Pyramid Lake Hwy (no, not a prostitute societal re–entry program), which with a setting sun and rising moon, I recall once looking like a Marlboro ad or a scene from the "The Big Country".

[Drew Wiley]

"Close by" is relative in Nevada. If you want a lonely section of road with opportunistic open spaces, you could head out Hwy 50, but not much architectual until Austin halfway
across the state. If snow is still light and Hwy 395 is open, you can get to Bridgeport in
about 2 hrs with a fascinating old courthouse. Virginia City is a lot closer to Reno but a
tourist trap. Desertscapes abound in every direction except West toward Tahoe. Other than Fwy 80 just about any backroad can get interesting, and old shacks and mines are
everywhere, but not necessarily intact architecture. I'd ask J. Galli.

[Drew Wiley]

Just looked up the distance to Hawthorne, but it's two hours away too. More apocalytic than post-apocatlyptic. Tiny town on a huge desert lake with lots of military bunkers etc.
Under the right conditions the light can be reminiscent of NM. Wouldn't head out any of
those places without a slpg bag and extra food and water. Some of those roads get pretty
lonely but sure can be interesting. A lot of military stuff around Fallon too, a lot closer
to Reno, but I haven't personally checked into it. The Salt Wells whorehouse is pretty
bizarre - fancy little pink shack out on a bleak salt flat beside Hwy 50.

[Kirk Gittings]

Apparently American Flats is still there. I ran across some postings by a group of photographers who went there two days ago.

[brianam]

"Graffiti capital of that part of the world". So, would photos American Flat's mining structures end up really being photos of graffiti?

I'm sure we've all seen that - places that are known to be abandoned get tagged fast. (esp. here in California). Kind of a shame if you're just looking for dilapidated industry.
I guess that's where barns and wooden structures come out ahead subject-wise: it's harder to spray paint deteriorating wood.

[Keith S. Walklet]

Bump Pyramid Lake. Also, two hours east of Reno on 80 is Thunder Mountain. See http://thundermountainmonument.com/ a photographic Mecca of sorts in Nevada. Unique. If you're headed this weekend, keep going for another half-hour to Winneumucca, Shooting of the West is 3/7-11 (gotta like those dates in Nevada).

[Merg Ross]

Be careful at Pyramid Lake, observe the latest tribal regulations and "quicksand" road shoulders.

Good advice, especially be aware of the "quicksand". Last time there my van sank up to the differential and I hiked a long way for a tow (before cell phones and the visitor center). Be careful where you park!

[Terry Hayden]

Pyramid lake is an interesting place - the largest Tufa formations I've ever seen. Not as other worldly as Mono Lake, but really really big. If you go, do get your
day pass from the local tribe - they patrol the lake roads and check every car.

Hawthorne is unique as well - used to be a weekend ride destination for a motorcycle group I belonged to. Friendly casino, no crowds, cheap lodgings. The quanset hut architectural style is everywhere from the military presence. I remember them not being able to show a movie in the local theater until after
dark - too many holes in the roof letting light in...

[Kirk Gittings]

Never made it to Pyramid Lake-scheduling issue with the people we were visiting, but American Flats was truly amazing-well worth the trip by itself. I'm so glad I got to shoot there before it was torn down-which is just a matter of time. I went there two days. I'll get to pyramid on another trip. Also saw allot of interesting petroglyph sites-nothing too photographic.

Thanks all.

[Terry Hayden]

Kirk,

I'm going to be within driving distance of American Flats late next week - any more info you could give on access or directions would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Terry