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Location: Central Elko County, Carlin Tunnels District
Directions: Along I-80 @ Exit 292, approx. 10 miles west of Elko
N40° 45' 58.0" W115° 55' 11.3"
Location: 3
Visibility: 3
Accessibility: 1
Marker type: Stone
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Date Conquered: 9/23/07
Quick Description: A marker commemorating an historical trail traversed by Nevada emigrants.
Signed: No -- Historically, this marker was never signed.
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Full Description:
Exact description as reads...
 Another Stone marker with original etching. Let's keep this one clean and protected for as long as we can!
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Across the Humboldt Valley southward from this point, a deeply incised canyon is seen opening into the valley. Through that canyon along the South Fork of the Humboldt ran the disaster-laden route called the Hastings Cutoff. It joined the regular Fort Hall route running on both sides of the Humboldt here.
The canyon was first traversed in 1841 by the Bartleson-Bidwell Party, the earliest organized California emigrant group. In 1846 Lansford Hastings guided a party through this defile of the South Fork and out along the Humboldt. The ill-fated Reed Donner Party followed later the same year.
By 1850 the dangers of the cutoff route were recognized and it was abandoned.
You'll also find this secondary plaque set next to #3...
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... And it's close up.
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 The stark vistas found just outside of Elko.
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 #3 and it's busy interstate background. Elko lies only twenty miles away, yet feels like worlds away.
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