Ghost Town Explorer

It had been a long three months since our last trip. The holidays and work had required all of our attention. Combined with a very cold and rainy end of the year, we contracted a bit of cabin fever. Then we received a last minute invitation from Geno and Ginger who accompanied us on a couple of previous trips. Apparently Coop at Nevada Atv Utv Enthusiast Connection was putting on a one day trip to the Hot springs Mountains on New Years Day. Now most would think that a 6 hour drive over the Sierra Mountains for a day trip is just plain nuts. But this invitation meant a much needed road trip and spending time with a couple of friends that we don’t get to see often.

Our New Years Eve travel out of San Jose was a bit slower than usual. We made a quick stop in Tracy to drop Makala off at her grandpas. Travel over the Sierras we experienced some patches of thick fog, but mostly just very cold winter air as low as 24 degrees. We applauded the New Year on Hwy-80 passing Lockwood and arrived in Stage Coach Nevada at 12:40am. Greeted by Gino standing out in front of his house, we were quickly invited in out of the cold. 7am the next morning came early. After a cup of coffee we took a tour of Gino and Gingers home and property, then we headed to the van to prepare for the days journey. We met up with a few of Gino’s friends in town, and then proceeded to Silver Springs to meet up with some of their friends. We then convoyed to the staging area near Fallon. I was amazed by the amount of people who showed up for this ride.

Once unloaded, we mingled with the group where I met up with Diane as well as Kerry, both of whom accompanied us on earlier trips. After a short participant meeting we headed out in to the Nevada desert 42 persons riding 24 machines. The terrain consisted mostly of sage brush and sand with areas of ice and snow which gave the ground a frozen look. We wound through washes and around dried alkali ponds. Our first rest stop was the middle of a dried up lake named Carson sink on the California Emigrant Trail. Here we ate a snack and took a potty break. Back on the trail we crossed through some more dry washes and over the tracks at Massie Siding and past Falais; both 1915 era railroad sidings on the Overland mail route. We then traversed a small canyon that led us in to the Hot Springs Mountains where we gathered for lunch.

Ghost Town Explorer

While most of us broke out with trail mix and sandwiches, there were a couple of participants who unpacked mini-gas bbq’s on foldable tables and proceeded to sear steaks. The view overlooking the desert from the mountain was spectacular and so was the company. It is just awesome hanging out with those who share interest in the great outdoors. After lunch the group broke in to three groups. The ride back was much shorter; using much of the same trails we accessed earlier we headed back for the staging area where we said our goodbyes.

We had a wonderful dinner back at Gino and Gingers home and another full night of rest. The following morning we departed early trying to beat a snow storm approaching the Sierras; unfortunately we arrived just as the storm started dumping snow and were forced to chain our vehicles tires. Towing a trailer in these conditions is not fun… Arriving home later that evening with just enough time to unload and unpack before heading back to work, as I backed down the driveway rubbing my tired eyes, I smiled remembering the fun we had.

Ghost Town Explorer




	HOT SPRINGS MOUNTAINS NEVADA January 2009 It had been a long three months since our last trip. The holidays and work had required all of our attention. Combined with a very cold and rainy end of the year, we contracted a bit of cabin fever. Then we received a last minute invitation from Geno and Ginger who accompanied us on a couple of previous trips. Apparently Coop at Nevada Atv Utv Enthusiast Connection was putting on a one day trip to the Hot springs Mountains on New Years Day. Now most would think that a 6 hour drive over the Sierra Mountains for a day trip is just plain nuts. But this invitation meant a much needed road trip and spending time with a couple of friends that we don’t get to see often. Our New Years Eve travel out of San Jose was a bit slower than usual. We made a quick stop in Tracy to drop Makala off at her grandpas. Travel over the Sierras we experienced some patches of thick fog, but mostly just very cold winter air as low as 24 degrees. We applauded the New Year on Hwy-80 passing Lockwood and arrived in Stage Coach Nevada at 12:40am. Greeted by Gino standing out in front of his house, we were quickly invited in out of the cold. 7am the next morning came early. After a cup of coffee we took a tour of Gino and Gingers home and property, then we headed to the van to prepare for the days journey. We met up with a few of Gino’s friends in town, and then proceeded to Silver Springs to meet up with some of their friends. We then convoyed to the staging area near Fallon. I was amazed by the amount of people who showed up for this ride. Once unloaded, we mingled with the group where I met up with Diane as well as Kerry, both of whom accompanied us on earlier trips. After a short participant meeting we headed out in to the Nevada desert 42 persons riding 24 machines. The terrain consisted mostly of sage brush and sand with areas of ice and snow which gave the ground a frozen look. We wound through washes and around dried alkali ponds. Our first rest stop was the middle of a dried up lake named Carson sink on the California Emigrant Trail. Here we ate a snack and took a potty break. Back on the trail we crossed through some more dry washes and over the tracks at Massie Siding and past Falais; both 1915 era railroad sidings on the Overland mail route. We then traversed a small canyon that led us in to the Hot Springs Mountains where we gathered for lunch. While most of us broke out with trail mix and sandwiches, there were a couple of participants who unpacked mini-gas bbq’s on foldable tables and proceeded to sear steaks. The view overlooking the desert from the mountain was spectacular and so was the company. It is just awesome hanging out with those who share interest in the great outdoors. After lunch the group broke in to three groups. The ride back was much shorter; using much of the same trails we accessed earlier we headed back for the staging area where we said our goodbyes. We had a wonderful dinner back at Gino and Gingers home and another full night of rest. The following morning we departed early trying to beat a snow storm approaching the Sierras; unfortunately we arrived just as the storm started dumping snow and were forced to chain our vehicles tires. Towing a trailer in these conditions is not fun… Arriving home later that evening with just enough time to unload and unpack before heading back to work, as I backed down the driveway rubbing my tired eyes, I smiled remembering the fun we had.

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