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Continued -- The lonely drive to [159] Ione
Upon arriving at this sign, you have three choices to make ...
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- The road straight ahead (climbing up the bajada) is "Union Canyon Road," our second route into Ione. This well-maintained dirt road leads right into
Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park
, a small park that preserves the old mining town of Berlin and even older remains of ancient "fish lizards", branded "Ichthyosaurs," before continuing eastward into scenic Union Canyon. The Union Canyon Road is graded every season by the county and state, and although it's a bit bumpy at times, this road is fully traversable by the family sedan, eventually crossing the Paradise Range to end at SR 376 in Big Smoky Valley. Union Canyon makes a great choice if you're headed east to conquer the markers in Big Smoky Valley or bag three old mining camps in one day -- Berlin, Manhattan, and Belmont!
- The right turn from the sign shown below is the "Gabbs-Pole Line Road," a long and lonely stroll to US 95. The Pole Line Road conveniently drops you off about 5 miles outside of Tonopah. This is a popular route for locals who use this shorter alternative to get to Tonopah rather than have to drive all the way to SR 361 ...
... However, it's the left turn we want. Ione lies only 7 miles up this road, also known as County Road 21.
(Photo below)
Good thing I provided you with all this information here! Apparently, NDOT or NV State Parks figured people would find their way out here. It would've been nice to see at least one mileage sign erected.
(Photo below)
CR 21 is well-maintained and plenty wide enough for a two cars! We were buzzing down this road at 40MPH. Passenger car worthy, we think so!
(Photo below)
At Mile 6 onto CR 21, we passed a ghastly weathered sign. So ... why wasn't this sign back at the pavement end?!
 Mileages are as reads:
"Ione, 1 -- Reese River, 9 -- Burnt Cabin Summit, 15 -- Highway 50, 29 -- Scout Camp, 8 Mi."
Again, why wasn't this sign back at the pavement end? |
(Photo below)
The final jaunt to Ione. Could it be just around the bend?
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