Need your input re: Salt Lake,UT, to Pahrump, NV

[Chickadee]

Hey, Gang!!

(45' MH towing 4/dwn)

Well, it's gettin to be the time for at least thinkin about migration routes South. Have a question for ya about a possible route.

We're currently up in S. Dakota, and plan to winter in AZ this year. We've done the Cheyenne, WY, to Colorado Springs, to Raton Pass to Albuquerque, then Flagstaff, etc. route, but would like trying a run first to Salt Lake City on I-80 then head SW down to Pahrump, NV. Have also done I-15 S. out of Salt Lake to Las Vegas, but would like to try migrating from Salt Lake down toward or through Ely, NV and over to Tonopah, NV then down to Pahrump for a stay before running to AZ, but.....which way to go????

So....from Salt Lake, West on I80 to Wendover then South on alt.93,??(how's alt 93?)......or,...down to Provo/Payson on I 15 then Nevada 6 and 6/80 WSW to Ely,...or...ya got any other suggestions???

Thanks for any ideas.

Steve & Lynette

[wa8yxm]

Can not advise on your purposed route.. But suggestion:

If wintering in AZ.. Quartsite last half of January.. Tons of fun, but only in January and most fun is the last half.

[Stumblefoot]

One of the great pleasures we have in America is all of the fun and different routes that can be taken to our ultimate destination!

As you know, I-15 would be the fastest route. But, your proposed route to West Wendover - Ely - Tonopah - Pahrump works just fine. The road is good and easy to drive. I think you'll find a lot less bumps than what you'll feel on I-80.


Some interesting stops along the way include:

1. Salt Springs Waterfowl Management Area; 16 miles south of Wendover. There is a designated watchable wildlife area that exists at the Comptons Knoll area year round, not just during hunting season.
2. Cave Lake State Park; 15 miles southeast of Ely. This is a beautiful spot adjacent to the Humboldt National Forest. With it's scenic little lake (roughly 30 acres), the park offers pretty views along with good fishing, hiking, and camping. There are two campgrounds there (Elk Flat and Lake View) and they offer showers and flush toilets. You can also use the dump station for free at Elk Flat if staying in either campground.
3. Ward Charcoal Ovens State Park; 18 miles south of Ely. While the ovens are neat to see, the park itself isn't anything special. If you've seen the charcoal ovens in Death Valley, then I wouldn't suggest stopping here.
4. Railroad Valley Wildlife Management Area; roughly halfway between Ely and Tonopah. Another great spot for birders in an otherwise desolate valley.
5. Goldfield, NV; 27 miles south of Tonopah, NV. An old mining town that was once the largest city in Nevada is a good stop for gas, food, and some sights. The courthouse still serves as the county seat and is the original building built in 1908 with its original Tiffany lamps. Just past the courthouse you'll find the original jail with three levels of metal cells. Another must see is the Goldfield Hotel which was also originally built in 1908 and has been featured on a variety of television shows. Once known as the most luxurious hotel between Chicago and San Francisco, the hotel is famous today for being haunted and a gateway to another world. Legend has it that the hotel's owner, George Wingfield, still haunts the halls of the old hotel as his cigar smoke can often be smelled in his room. Whether the ghosts are real or not, many people have attested to feeling strange presences in the hotel, and in Room 109 cameras mysteriously stop working and the room becomes intensely cold. Spooky!

Hope this helps and that you have a great trip!

[Chickadee]

Stumblefoot:

Thanks for your 'come-back' regarding the route question, and ESPECIALLY for the "interesting stops" list for that area. REALLY appreciate it.

Thanks again.

Steve & Lynette

[Stumblefoot]

My pleasure Chickadee! Have a fun and safe trip south.

[rgvtexan]

Drove the Tonapah to Pahrump in 09. The roads are fine. You might as well head a little more west and see Death Valley and Scotty's Castle. Use your toad and cut across at Beatty or Amargosa Valley. Worth the day if you have not seen it. Terrible's Casino in Pahrump has a very nice Passport America park.

[Bob and Inga]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chickadee Stumblefoot: Thanks for your 'come-back' regarding the route question, and ESPECIALLY for the "interesting stops" list for that area. REALLY appreciate it. Thanks again. Steve & Lynette

Stumblefoot, Ditto Steve & Lynette.

[DAN L]

we stayed at the pahrump terribles lakeside cg last september for 2 weeks. it was very hot, some days 100 degrees. otherwise the cg was fine and the casino had a fair restaurant. the wifi cost too much and did not work very well, sometimes not at all.
we were looking for someplace cool to move to.
we went north of pahrump around mt. charleston and then south towards vegas.
we climbed up to the 7,000 ft. level of mt. charleston to the fletcher view national forest cg and stayed for 1 week. 50a power and water was $15.50 a night. this is the only cg on the mountain that has electricity. spots #4 and #5 are best. #4 is next to the nice clean restroom and showers. there is no dump station on the mountain which limited our stay. it was cooler and there are lots of hiking trails. at that altitude i got tired quickly.
there is the mt. charleston resort hotel a couple of miles from the cg that has free wifi and a very good restaurant. there is a ski resort further up the mountain that has a so-so restaurant.

Facility Details - Recreation.gov, Fletcher View (NV) - Recreation.gov

Resorts in Las Vegas| The Resort on Mount Charleston, Las Vegas, Nevada

[Chickadee]

HEY!...All:

Thank you for the great info.

Steve & Lynette