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The long, lonely drive to #159, Ione -- CONTINUED
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." This well-maintained dirt track 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." The ghost town of Berlin (faintly visible on the hillside) is a nice step back in time before visitors can marvel at some of Nevada's earliest forms of life; prehistoric remains and intact full skeletons of the large "fish-lizards" (branded Ichthyosaurs) were unearthed in the 50's and put on display! After the park, Union Canyon Rd continues eastward into scenic Union Canyon. Surprised? Although a bit bumpy at times, this county maintained road can be fully traversed by the family sedan. The scenic road eventually crosses the Paradise Range, ending 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. Rangers at Berlin-Ichthyosaur have thirteen fully clean and maintained campsites with water and hook-ups. However, there are some excellent primitive sites in Union Canyon, coupled with solitude and even a few trailheads into the Arc Dome Wilderness.
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 town rather than have to drive all the way to 361...
...However, it's the left turn we want. Ione lies only 7 miles up this road, also known as County Road 21.
Although I provided you with all this information here, it would've been nice to see a mileage sign erected. Apparently, NDOT or NV State Parks figured nobody needed signs out here!
(Photo below)
CR 21 is well-maintained and plenty wide enough for a few 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? |
The final jaunt to Ione. Could it be just around the bend?
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