Historic arborglyphs on Success Loop Road. Image compliments of Nevada Comssission on Tourism.
Please keep in mind that many of these destinations are off the beaten path. In Nevada, you should treat off-road explorations much like you would a cave trip. Open mine shafts and old buildings present many dangerous hazards to an unwary visitor. Stay alert and aware. Always let someone know where you are going and when you plan to return. Carry sufficient gas, water, food and a spare tire. Services are few and far between and mobile devices are typically useless. As in caving: take nothing but pictures, kill nothing but time.
Additional self-guided trips around the Great Basin will be added in the coming months. Please check back for updates.
Details
Distance: 110 miles round-trip from Ely, Nevada
Coordinates (WGS84): 39.2768, -115.5144
Elevation: 7,500 ft
District: White Pine County Mining District
Nevada's ghost towns are settlements that grew quickly in response to discoveries of gold, silver, or other minerals. In many cases, these towns became county seats, only to lose that designation once the town's resources became exhausted and its population dwindled.
They were bustling centers of activity, with churches, saloons, and general stores, but once the population moved on to the next big strike, the abandoned towns fell into disrepair.
Ghost towns are a great way to step back in time and see what life was like for the folks who built Nevada and mined the precious metals, ores, and minerals that would come to define the West.
Situated about an hour west of Ely off the Loneliest Road in America, Belmont Mill is a remnant of the area's prestigious mining booms that enticed westward pioneers back to the east to grab onto their piece of the American Dream. Image by Matt Bowers, Third Media.
Download Road LogThe Belmont Mine and Mill were worked early in the 1900s by the Tonopah Belmont Development Mining Company. This fascinating camp gave the White Pine Mining District it's last breath of life. Silver-lead ore from this mine was processed at the mill and then shipped off to Eureka, Nevada.
At one time, the White Pine Mining District was a thriving community of 10,000 people at 8,000 feet above sea level scattered across the mountain range. Numerous buildings still exist in various stages of decay. Some of their purposes are obvious, some will require your imagination. Now completely abandoned, this is one of the best preserved sites from the early 20th century mining rush.
Cables from the Belmont Mill's ore haul system still extend 3 miles up the mountain to the mine. If you walk up behind the mill, you can see the tension system used to keep the lines tight during hot summers and brutally cold winters. The huge tension box of rocks is just hanging by a (very) old chain. We really don't suggest climbing on or going inside the building. The US Forest Service recently shored up the mill, but its integrity is still somewhat questionable.
If you have a 4wd vehicle with decent clearance, you can drive up to the mine by backtracking to the first intersection and turning right on the road that leads up the mountain. At last report, the road was in semidecent condition, but there are some areas of steep exposure. If you're afraid of heights, this isn't for you.
Please note, this is a federally protected historic site. Take nothing but pictures. Kill nothing but time.
Big Warm Spring is located on the Duckwater Shoshone Reservation about 70 miles west of Ely. In 2007, the tribe partnered with the US Fish & Wildlife service to reintroduce the Railroad Valley springfish to this unique ecosystem. Image by Matt Bowers, Third Media.
Learn MoreThe official event schedule for the 2025 NCKMS has now been updated. Please check our schedule page or download a PDF to your mobile device.
The Cave Research Foundation is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to:
Facilitating research, management and interpretation of caves and karst resources; Forming partnerships to study, protect and preserve cave resources and karst areas; Promoting the long term conservation of caves and karst ecosystems.
Next to the Lehman Caves Visitor Center sits the historic Rhodes Cabin. The cabin was built in the 1920s by Clarence and Bea Rhodes, who were US Forest Service custodians of Lehman Caves at the time. It is one of several cabins built to provide accommodations for visitors to Lehman Caves. Today it contains interpretive exhibits.
Mostly sunny. High near 68, with temperatures falling to around 58 in the afternoon. Southwest wind around 0 mph.
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 34. South southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Mostly cloudy. High near 62, with temperatures falling to around 55 in the afternoon. South wind around 10 mph.
WCC Ball Cap
Wearing a ball cap? Oh, that's a whole vibe. It's like saying, "I'm strong, but I'm not here for your speleo-approval." It's the kind of quiet power that doesn't scream for attention, but when it walks into the room, everyone knows it's the real deal. No need to flaunt or flex when you've got that kind of effortless strength, right?
Yet, while being grounded and focused on what truly matters, you can still shine at your next grotto meeting by declaring your subtle support of the Western Cave Conservancy!
