This last winter and spring of 2016 the husband and I traveled to Nevada for his job refurbishing a power line. The following images were taken between February and April.  We started in the Northeastern section of the state in a small town called Jackpot and quickly worked to the town of Elko.  From there we traveled to Fernley (just east of Reno) and then back to Winnemucca before finishing the project.  If you are independent and entertained by simplicity there can be a lot to do in Nevada and I truly enjoyed my time in the northern part of the state.  Winter and summer recreation are the best and keep in mind during the spring snow melt it can be difficult to access most areas.   The following images are arranged from north to south and then east to west across the state so, come take a road trip with me!
 

Jackpot and Hwy 93 Going South from the Idaho State Line.
 

JHP_160204_0113Nevada No Mans Land in the Salmon Falls area.
 

In 1954, when gamboling was made illegal in Idaho two men opened up casino/hotels called the Horseshu and Cactus Petes and the unofficial town of Jackpot was born.  It took another 15 years to finally decide on the name it carries today as the owners of the two establishments could never agree.   The town sits right on the boarder of the Nevada/Idaho state line.  It does have an airport and a golf club but not much else besides the Salmon Falls Rec area just to the west of town (pictured above).
 

JHP_160205_0084_5_6_7_8_9Ghost Town, Mineral Hot Springs
 

Mineral Hot Springs for sale... south of Jackpot was once a small resort and now, like many towns is nothing but brick and peeling paint.  I think there might be a hot springs to this place but I am unsure of where at and an internet search doesn't provide much detail.
 

JHP_160204_0290Wildlife highway crossing
 

The above image, I admit, was taken through the windshield of the truck... hence the bug spots, but I thought it would be worth including because it is the only image I have of a wildlife crossing bridge across hwy. 93 between Wells and Jackpot.   There are in fact 5 of these crossings on the 93 and many miles of deer fencing to encourage animals to cross in the safety passes.   Writer Sean Whaley writes in a news article for the Las Vegas Review-Journal Capital Bureau that over 26,000 mule deer have been kept off the roads by using the wildlife crossings and the state of Nevada is spending $14 million dollars on a crossing along the 1-80 corridor in Elko County as they have seen a drop in fatalities due to animal strikes. 
 

Wells and the Ruby Mountains, Intersection of HWY 93 and I-80
 

JHP_160204_0023Ruby Mountains, Northeastern Nevada.
 

Storm clouds lift and collect around the peaks of the Ruby Mountains.  Chimney Peak can be seen to the left of the image and the very popular Angel Lake sits down below it.  This is the start (or end) of the range and the small town of Wells sits just out of view.   The town of Wells was originally a stopover spot for pioneers and later a train station.  It's original name was Humboldt Wells as the sinks or wells in the ground produced water.  The actual Humboldt Well (spring)  for the Humboldt River sits in a swampy area just outside of town.  The town is small but does have a few museums, a hot spring, accommodations and lots of gas as this is the intersection of Hwy 93 and I-80.  If you were to continue south on the 93 it would take you to Great Basin National Park.  We will follow the mountains.  
 

JHP_160220_0008Ruby Mountains, Northeastern Nevada fullmoon snowshoe group.
 

One thing we were able to participate in was a moonlight snowshoe trek in the Ruby Mountains just outside of Wells.   We drove until the pavement (and the plow) stopped, parked along the road and formed a couple of groups lead by the local BLM.  Snowshoes and flashlights were provided by a local outfitter for those that did not have equipment.  The full moon reflecting on the snow made it so easy to see that we really didn't need lamps.  It was a nice way to get out and meet other people. The best part is it was totally free! 
 

JHP_160217_0198_TMLamoille Church
 

This is the quaint Lamoille Presbyterian Church which was built in 1905 and has quite the history in the valley.  It is still in use today.  The tiny community of Lamoille sits at the base of the Ruby Mountains along Hwy 227 and was originally known as "The Crossroads" back in 1865.   None of the original town remains and today it is mostly just a spot for the locals and occasional tourist.
 

JHP_160217_0018Ruby Mountains, Lamiolle Canyon Road, Northeastern Nevada.
 

National Forest Scenic Byway, Lamoille Canyon Road, winds its way 12 miles deep into the Ruby Mountains.  The mountains are made of granite and carved by glaciers in the last ice age.  Steep hillsides, moraines, cirques, U-shaped canyons are but a few of the geological specter's you will see, however, do no try to do this in the winter as they do not keep the road plowed and the only way in is via backcountry or helicopter.   Early explorers found pretty "rubies" that later were to be recognized as garnets, but the name stuck.  This mountain chain's highest point is Ruby Dome which stands at 11,387 feet and it is part of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest.
 

Elko
 

Commercial White KingElko, Nevada by night on the Crosswalk in front of the Commercial Casino.  
 

Elko is a large city in northeastern Nevada terms, with a population of 20,000.  It is well know for a National gathering of Cowboy Poetry, local artists and as the Gateway to the Rubies and a giant "hot hole".   As with many or maybe all Nevada towns there are casinos, gambling and brothels.  The Commercial Casino was one of the first in Elko and is best known for it's giant stuffed polar bear that is inside the casino.  It is worth the stop as there is a fair amount of history on the wall surrounding the stuffed critter.
 

The StarElko, Nevada by night - The Star Basque Historical Basque Food.
 

 When in this country you must try some excellent basque food at the historical Star Hotel and be sure to order the lamb.  Food is served family style and it can get loud and crowded.  The other spot that is worth a stop in is JM Carpiola Saddle and Bit Shop which highlights great custom and handmade items, an absolutely stunning bit collection and a wealth of history upstairs in their saddle making shop. 
 

JHP_160228_0178
 

Does history seem to be a theme I keep returning to here?  In Elko there is lots of it and there is no better place to learn about it all in one place than here at the Northeastern Nevada Museum and the 3rd Sunday of the month is Free ($5 otherwise).  Elko was not actually established until 1869 but its history goes way back as it lays along the California Wagon Trail and in more current history it was part of the first airmail flight in the United States. 
 

Tuscarora and the Surroundings
 

JHP_160224_0217Nevada No Mans Land, Beaver Peak
 

This was taken from the top of Beaver Peak looking to the south;  Elko would be to the left of the image way off on the horizon and the town of Tuscarora is due North.   This peak would not be accessible but for a lift I got from a little bird.   Left alone on the ridge I couldn't help but feel completely small,  insignificant and alone in the vastness. As far as I could see in all directions their was nothing.  The funny part is though, as soon as I felt like I must be the first one up on the ridge I began to notice that indeed I was not, as a fence marked a boundary for something and evidence of dirt roads crisscrossed the hills below.  All this space and here I am with a damn fence.    
 

JHP_160225_0313Nevada No Mans Land, Outside Tuscorara JHP_160224_0439Nevada No Mans Land JHP_160224_0439Nevada No Mans Land
 

 The town of Tuscarora is said to be a ghost town. Don't be fooled. The town may have old buildings and have an eclectic feeling but it is still habited by real live humans and I felt like a robber driving through their neighborhood.   Although they do not seem to mind if photos are taken I just couldn't bring myself to photograph peoples yards without permission.  The town is home to a pottery school that has very good reviews and sounds like it would be fun to try in the summer months.   I think I was just a little early, once again; so, the above and below images are of some of the things surrounding the region.
 

JHP_160225_0737Nevada ranching, agriculture and farming JHP_160225_0621_2_3Nevada ranching, agriculture and farming JHP_160225_0733Nevada ranching, agriculture and farming
 

Thanks for joining me on Part 1 of Northern Nevada.   Next week I will wrap up the journey westward.  Click here to read PART 2.
 

By clicking on the images you will be directed to the themed picture gallery which will house all of the images from northern Nevada.