Northern Nevada Treasure Trail
- OTG Crew
- Oct 21
- 7 min read
Updated: Oct 22
Dive into the heart of the Great Basin on the Northern Nevada Treasure Trail, highlighting the incredible mineral history that defined this region. Beyond the ghost towns and mining relics, the trail rewards explorers with unique geological stops, including Tufa Cave, the Blue Wing Playa, and the bizarre rock formations of Elephant Land. If your idea of adventure involves endless desert solitude and horizon-to-horizon vistas, this rugged track is a must-do experience.
Route Overview
Trip Length & Season
Adventure Rating: Epic Trip Length: 270 miles, 3-6 days Season: The shoulder seasons (spring and fall) are generally the best time to explore the high desert. It may even be possible to tackle much of the route during winter; however, be aware that any precipitation can quickly turn dirt roads and trails into extremely slippery and dangerous conditions. While summer exploration is possible, be prepared for high temperatures that regularly exceed 90°F.
Digital Maps & GPX Files
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Technical Ratings & Terrain
Avg Technical Rating: 2-3
Peak Technical Rating: 4
Typical Terrain: A mixture of graded dirt and gravel roads, two track, and some rockier, steep and loose jeep trails.
Recommended Vehicle / Moto / Adventure Vans
Recommended Vehicle: Stock 4x4
Recommended Moto: Given some of the sections of rocky, loose, and terrain, a mid-sized or dual sport bike is recommended for this route.
Adventure Vans: Adventure vans are not recommended given some of the prolonged stretches of moderate terrain (rated 4).
Fuel, Provisions, and Recommended Gear
Fuel:
There are no fuel stops directly on the route. If you don't have the ability to carry enough fuel, your best bet is to head to Gerlach (see Gerlach Loop under alternative routes). The shortest way to fuel is 35 miles if you take the dirt to highway 447. If you return by way of Jungo road it's a 40 mile trip back to the main track.
Fernley to Gerlach is 135 miles
Gerlach to Humboldt River Ranch 210 miles
Provisions: Provisions can be obtained Fernley, Empire (5 minutes south of Gerlach, and the end of the route (Humboldt River Ranch). Gear: n/a
Alternative Routes
n/a
Camping Recommendations
The vast majority of this route travels through BLM land. Dispersed camping is generally permited as long as you don't see signs indicating otherwise. Some of our favorite places to camp along the Northern Nevada Treasure Trail Include
Eagle Rock camp (Elephant Land)
Elephant Head Rock
School Bus Camp
Blue wing playa (when dry)
Tunnel Camp
Rabbithole Springs
Rye Camp Reservoir (dozens of dispersed sites along the western shore)
Discovery Points
Lava Flows
Nightingale mine
MGL mine
Winnemucca Lake
Abandoned school buses
Tufa Cave
Blue Wing playa
Pete's Cabin
Elephant Land (the Lava Beds)
Elephant Head Rock
Porter Spring
Vernon Jail (ruins)
Seven Troughs mountain
Seven Troughs mining district
Tunnel Camp ghost town
Mazuma Cemetery
Placerites
Rabbithole Springs
Rosebud mine
Rye Patch reservoir
Humboldt River
Gold Diggers Saloon
Land Managers & Other Resources
Permits & Papers
n/a
Route Details
Nevada has been a hotbed for mining and mineral wealth since the discovery of gold in Gold Canyon in 1849, which was followed by the infamous silver strike known as the Comstock Lode. The complex geological forces within the northwest corner of the Basin and Range province have blessed Nevada with an abundance of mineral riches. Today, Nevada ranks as the 5th largest gold-producing region in the world, is the second largest producer of silver in the US, and is home to the largest known lithium deposit (Thacker Pass Project) in the United States. Ever since settlers began setting their eyes on the west, Euro-Americans have stuck their pickaxes into mountains and hillsides in search of vast mineral wealth.
Like many places within Nevada, the corner of the Great Basin that stretches from Fernley up to the Black Rock Desert has seen its fair share of mining. The Seven Troughs mining district was the most famous in this region, producing high-grade silver ore in the early 1900s. Other productive districts included Rochester (silver and gold), Fairview (gold and silver), Copper Flat (primarily copper), and a number of smaller operations like the Toy, Krey, and Trinity Districts in the Black Rock Desert vicinity. Among the Seven Troughs Mining District sits Tunnel Camp, one of northern Nevada's best-preserved ghost towns. It is for these mining camps and boomtowns that the Northern Nevada Treasure Trail derives its name. And sure, it's quite improbable that you'll find vast mineral riches while exploring the high desert, but there are still intangible treasures to be found within the desolation and sea of sagebrush that is the Great Basin.
For the sake of this guide, we begin our adventure in Fernley and work our way north to Rye Patch Reservoir (the route can be driven in either direction). As you leave the pavement behind and climb into the Truckee Range, the dirt narrows, eventually turning into a two-track pole line road. The southern portion of the route passes through ancient andesite and basaltic lava flows (discovery point). Just keep in mind, those volcanic rocks are nature's version of a cheese grater, so it's best to tread carefully! In the distance to the west, you're likely to catch a view of Pyramid Lake, which is considered the spiritual heartland of the Pyramid Lake Paiute band, who have called this land home for thousands of years.
As you descend out of the Truckee Range and into Sage Hen Valley, the first of many mines awaits—the Nightingale Mine (discovery point). Established in 1917 following the discovery of tungsten ore, the mine remained active into the 1940s, but by 1956 all mining operations had completely ceased. Today, visitors can explore many of the mine's old concrete foundations, a few dilapidated buildings, and a number of mine shafts.
From the Nightingale Mine, the track circumvents the Nightingale Mountains and heads north with Winnemucca Lake (discovery point) to the west. Following the dirt road along the shores of the ephemeral lake, there are a number of notable stops along the way, including the MGL Mine, abandoned school buses, and Tufa Cave (all discovery points). One may wonder how a pair of school buses ended up far in a rugged canyon in the middle of the northern Nevada desert. Desert lore suggests the buses were brought to their current location at some point in the 1950s or 1960s to serve as cheap, readily available shelters for those working at the nearby MGL mine. A few miles to the north, you can explore Tufa Cave. Just due west of the cave, the oldest known petroglyphs within North America exist (estimated to be between 10,500–14,800 years old). The tufa rock shelters and caves served as critical caches and habitation sites for local indigenous tribes, like the Paiute peoples, for many millennia.
From the cave, the track zigzags through the mountains heading north once again. On the horizon, you should catch a glimpse of the Blue Wing Playa (discovery point). This ephemeral lake typically dries out and turns into a playa (dried lakebed) once spring passes. When the playa is dry, it can be easily driven across, but always proceed with caution, especially if you're traveling the area after recent storms (consider taking the Blue Wing Playa bypass). From the playa, the route traverses into one of the most unique geological regions within northern Nevada—Elephant Land. This distinctive area, often referred to as the Lava Beds, is dominated by impressive granite spires. But here's the thing: there's not a drop of volcanic rock to be found in the Lava Beds! The name Elephant Land was popularized in the 1960s by a local explorer and was even featured in National Geographic. It derives its name from Elephant Head Rock (discovery point), an absolute must-visit when exploring the Lava Beds. As you might imagine, Elephant Head Rock looks like an elephant head, and the elongated trunk even creates a natural arch. It's also a fantastic place to camp! As you make your way through the rugged trails of Elephant Land, the trail cuts south through the Seven Troughs Mountains.
Climbing into the mountains, there are dozens of mines and prospects dotting the mountainsides and canyons. On the southwestern flank of Seven Troughs Mountain sits Tunnel Camp (discovery point), by far the most well-preserved mining camp within the region. Tunnel Camp still features the concrete foundations of the main mill, the large hoist house (now roofless), and several stone walls and foundations scattered across the hillside, all framed by massive mine tailings. Tunnel Camp also makes for a fantastic, yet somewhat eerie, place to set up camp for the night!
From Tunnel Camp, the track continues northward, meandering through rugged canyons and mountainsides before spitting the intrepid traveler out at Rabbithole Springs (discovery point). This small perennial water source was a critical stop for emigrants traveling the Applegate and Lassen Trails, as it was the last opportunity to replenish water before making the arduous journey across the dreaded Black Rock Desert. The route continues north into the Kamma Mountains, also home to numerous mines and prospects, but nothing on the scale that remotely rivals the Seven Troughs Mountains. The Rosebud Mine (discovery point) is the most notable mining operation in these mountains.
As you make your way through the sea of sagebrush, you should be able to spot Rye Patch Reservoir (discovery point) in the distance. Before it was a reservoir, Rye Patch was known as Lassen Meadows. During the time of westward expansion, the meadows served as a junction for westward travelers. They could take the Applegate-Lassen Cutoff through the Black Rock Desert or take the main route of the California Trail. For the sake of your adventure, Rye Patch Reservoir serves as the final leg of your journey. After traveling countless miles of rugged and bumpy two-track, the route back to the highway is a graded dirt road (save a few corrugations here and there). There are dozens of fantastic campsites along the reservoir's western shore, many of which are marked in the GPX file. The route concludes by crossing the Humboldt River (discovery point). We encourage folks to support local businesses, like the Gold Digger Saloon, which also happens to be the final discovery point along the route.
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