From Stokes Castle in Austin we could see a trail on the desert valley floor and the Shoshone Mountains off in the distance. Outside of Austin we took Scenic Route 722 and drove through Railroad Pass in the Shoshone Mountains, past Dry Lake, and through Carroll Summit in the Desatoya range.
A few miles south of Eastgate we came upon a sign indicating Ione. We turned off the scenic road and took the dirt road into the hills. We found ourselves winding back through the Desatoya Mountains and came out in Ione Valley. The graded dirt road through the valley was well maintained and we were jamming the breeze.
All of a sudden we hit a high point in the road that obstructed my view of a low point. After we "landed" we proceeded towards the Shoshone Mountains and into Shamrock Canyon. We found Ione, nestled in the lower part of the canyon amid rock and trees.
Mary (or is it Jane?) at the Ore House, Ione
The Ore House Saloon, with its pool table and lengthy bar, beckoned to us and we went in to lay the dust. And believe me, there was a lot of dust to lay after that rousing ride through Ione Valley. I swear I saw Wild Bill Hickok, guns and all. Later I learned that was Fly, the infamous saloonkeeper from Virginia City, whose likeness is on a painting of the "Hairy Bunch" by John Hunt (of which I am proud to have an autographed print). Fly is now the proprietor of the Ore House Saloon.
The buffalo don't roam in Ione
We strolled around town checking out Ione City Park and the old buildings. We explored the rock cabins and abandoned shacks that were built into the hillside and took note of a dwelling for sale. We observed buffalo enclosed in a steel corral down the street. They appeared undaunted and unconcerned with their confinement. But I'm sure if given the opportunity, they would rebel at the drop of a hat. So we held onto our "stetsons" and heeded the warning signs to STAY AWAY.
It was hard to imagine Ione a bustling mining town and once the county seat of Nye County. It is truly a town that refuses to die and the MJ sisters are glad of that. After buying an Oar House Saloon t-shirt, we bid farewell to Ione.
Mary (or is it Jane?) at the Ore House, Ione
About seven miles from Ione is the ghost town of Berlin and Ichthyosaur State Park. A state park in the middle of nowhere! We paid the $4 entrance fee and went in to explore the old buildings of this former mining town. We had unknowingly timed our visit right as the park Rangers were going to give a tour of the Ichthyosaur fossils, which are the largest known specimens.
We drove up the hill into Union Canyon to see the "bones under glass", but decided a few pictures through the window would suffice. We found the area with its pinon pine and juniper a nice place to cool our saddles before going on to Gabbs. That's right, I said Gabbs! From Berlin we could see the thin line of State Route 844 heading west. We figured to have lunch in Gabbs.
Mary (or is it Jane?) at the Ore House, Ione
So we hit the dirt road and made dust. But we didn't make dust for very long as the road was paved when we approached the Paradise Mountain Range. Coming out of the canyon we saw The Premier Services Mine looking like something out of a sci fi movie and Gabbs. I heard Battle Mountain called the "Armpit of America", but Gabbs definitely could be worthy of that title.
The amount of surface water there is zero! Not even a watering can in sight. We attempted to find a place to eat but the restaurant looked deserted (no pun on the word desert) so we decided to keep on driving.
Now there are people who say Highway 50 is the loneliest road in America, but the MaryJane sisters have to disagree. We think we found the loneliest road in America. It has to be Nevada State Route 361 from Gabbs to Luning. It is only thirty-two miles but it is one of the most desolate regions we have seen. Along this road is Petrified Summit. It is appropriately named and aptly describes this area. We didn't pass another vehicle the entire 32 miles and no one came up our back trail.
However, beauty is in the eye of the beholder and the MaryJane sisters had learned how to walk in beauty from two Owyhee women in Elko. In our case it is to drive in beauty in the deserts of Nevada, no matter how desolate it appears. So taking pleasure in the beauty of this harsh landscape we headed to Hawthorne with thoughts of having a "hot time in the old town tonight."
From Stokes Castle in Austin we could see a trail on the desert valley floor and the Shoshone Mountains off in the distance. Outside of Austin we took Scenic Route 722 and drove through Railroad Pass in the Shoshone Mountains, past Dry Lake, and through Carroll Summit in the Desatoya range.
