Reno/Sparks Trail Run

Chris' back has been buggging her so she sugested I take a friend of ours insted. He's on call this weekend So we'll do the Cold Spring Trenches & Dog Valley on the 18th 10:00 am @ Bordertown.


For anyone interested in more of an exploring trip we are thinking of going to check out Fort Churchill & the Pine Grove mine. This is no trail run just flat dirt roads with some wandering around checking out the ruins. Around a 200 mile round trip.

 

18th sounds good.

What happened to the Churchill pics?

 

Ft Churchill

Built in 1860 as protection against American Indian
attacks, this U.S. Army outpost also guarded the Pony Express and other mail routes. Although the fort now is in ruins, the site is a 4,461 - acre park
with an interpretive trail. A visitor center reconstructs the fort's colorful history with exhibits. Open daily 24 hours and it is free. Submitted by Dolores Steele.



Fort Churchill
Courrtesy Dolores Steele


Fort Churchill
Courrtesy Dolores Steele

Fort Churchill
Courrtesy Dolores Steele
Fort Churchill
Courrtesy Dolores Steele

Fort Churchill
Courrtesy Dolores Steele

Fort Churchill
Courrtesy Dolores Steele
Fort Churchill
Courrtesy Dolores Steele

 

Looks cool. I might be down to check it out.

 

That was probably me. My shop's on Glendale and the office is on Greg so I'm between the two daily. I pass your shop at lease twice a week.

By the way, I was going to ask you at some point if you could fab up a clean front skid from the bottom of the ARB... you keep banker hours over there or do I need to schedule a visit?

 

So you wanna go? We could meet @ Sierra Sid's at 9:30.

 

Sloan if you're available Monday or Tuesday we can get your fogs wired. The plugs are for 9005 headlights but the bulbs are 9145s. If you want to put in a switch we'll need more wire (22 to 24 gage). I got all the stuff at Pep Boys.

 

I'm confused did you want to do that today? If so, sorry for the late reply but I ended up needing to do some shit around the house.

 

Yes we did that. Not a problem Matt. I'll see you Sunday for a real trail run.
It was an exploring trip and we thought if anyone wanted to join us they could. I didn't even bother putting on the 33" tires, and the only place I put it in 4wd was on the last leg to the mine (the trail got a little slimy from the snow melt & I spun the tires a little).
Our first stop was at Fort Churchill (the first & largest fort in Nevada). It's a couple of miles south of Silver Springs. The fort was built in 1860 and abandoned in 1869 when the buildings were sold to Sam Buckland for $750.

We got there just in time. When we first arrived we went to check out the cemetery and had just gotten to it when we heard some one yell "FIRE IN THE HOLE". We looked down and saw a group around the cannons holding their ears. Nothing happened and we wandered down the hill toward the cannons. It turns out the second attempt to fire one also failed. About two minutes after we got there they decided to try it a third time.
They loaded it, lit it and we watched the smoke from the fuse and wondered if it would go off until it went BOOM!
http://youtu.be/6BC9hswMI6w

Third time was the charm. These are the some of the first rifled cannons used in the US.



The shells could ether be fused for aerial shrapnel or not for explode on impact.
The ammo wagons.







In 1859 Sam Buckland settled in the valley by building a log cabin next to the Carson River (about 1/2 mile from the future site of the fort) and became one of the areas first ranchers. This expanded to include an orchard and a tent city for travelers on the Overland Route. When the fort was built in 1860 he began suppling it as well. In 1869 after the fort was abandoned he bought the buildings for $750. The building materials of the fort went into the construction of Buckland Station. It was a Pony Express stop and stabled horses for the Overland Stage Company. It also served to supply and house travelers headed west. The outside and most of the first floor have been restored and has some neat furnishings.





Around 12 to 15 miles south of Yerington on 208 is Pine Grove Road. It's a 55mph+ dirt road you take for a little over 10 miles. Shortly after you cross the second cattle guard you hang a right onto a trail. It's about 5 miles to the stone building remains (about half way up the trail forks, the right is smoother) keep going on the trail to reach the mill & school house (between the stone building & the mill was were the Dungflops did some slipping & sliding so I turned on the 4wd). Farther up the trail are two more buildings and if you stay on the trail it gets real interesting on the way to Rockland (another mining site). We didn't go to Rockland because Chris wasn't up for a trail run so I didn't put on the KM2s.
















If we go again I'll want to go to Rockland also.
http://www.forgottennevada.org/sites/nv_NW.html
http://www.ghosttowns.com/

 

Thats interesting Randy. Id be interested in going next time if you go again sometime. I didnt realize you were doing that this weekend either I would have tried to gone. Even though I was fighting the flu this weekend and could barely get out of bed Fri and Saturday. I thought you were planing that next weekend.


So what is the plan for 3/18? Just so we are all on the same page. Is it still the Cold Spring Trenches & Dog Valley on the 18th 10:00 am @ Bordertown.

 

Yes!
Does anyone know where the Cold Spring trenches are? Anyone been there?

 

I don't know where the trenches but...

Those are some sweet pics Randy

 

ive been to the trenches u can do part of it but about half way thru you need to get out or risk body damage. I did it in my stock taco with fj wheels and 285/75/17 so should help give an idea of whats needed. i got out half way thru.

 

Are you coming?

 

Daytrip it. Gary (tacomtn) came up from Joser to get his off road cherry popped.

 

Subd for when I visit grandma in Carson.