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***This Web page created by Amargosa Andy Last update: 1/29/2018***
The Grand Tour
ngs. I have been on the "Grand Tour" twice, and hope to do it again. The Tour begins in Amargosa, heading up Hwy. 95 to Beatty, and then pushing on north to Tonopah past Scotty's Junction, Lida Junction and Goldfield. From there you head east on Hwy. 6 to Warm Springs. Further down the road is Lunar Crater and the Black Rock Lava Flow.
GOLDFIELD	WARM SPRINGS
LUNAR CRATER	BLACK ROCK LAVA FLOW
Over the hill and you are in the Railroad Valley, when of the few places in Nevada where there is active oil exctraction. Past Currant up into the mountains past Ward Mountain, which has an excellent campground. And then you are in Ely. Be sure to stop in to the White Pine Museum, and get a ride on a steam locomotive and maybe tour the repair shop where the railroad engines and rolling stock are repaired and restored. Another possible side trip would be to head west on Hwy. 50 to Garnet Hill. After seeing all the sights and getting refueled and restocked, it's time to hit the road again.
ELY	WHITE PINE MUSEUM
STEAM ENGINES & SHOP	STEAM RAILROAD RIDE
GARNET HILL
Hwy. 93 south. Do check out the Ward Charcoal Ovens. Another really great campground. At this point a side trip is recommended. Take Hwy. 487 to Baker and then to Great Basin National Park. Another collection of great campgrounds and gorgeous views of Wheeler Peak, 13,061' It was raining/snowing on Labor Day weekend in 2001, so pack accordingly. Back to Hwy. 93. You are on the Great Basin Highway. There is a stop to view the local elk. Mountains on either side of the highway. Very little sign of civilization until you get to Pioche. More side trips can start from there. Spring Valley State Park, and Echo Canyon State Park. South of Pioche you will come to the entrance to Cathedral Gorge State Park. DO STOP THERE! At least drive in and have a look so you can return, and you WILL want to return! A bit further and you are in Caliente. It's a sleepy little town, but you have to stop at the old railroad depot, which has been converted to city offices. There are some decorated railroad cars nearby. At this point the road heads west across Delamar Valley. Beautiful vistas of mountains and valleys and an appreciation of what "basin and range" means. At Crystal Springs the road once again heads south. More small towns. Ash Springs, Alamo and then Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge. At the right time of year there should be lot of migrating birds to be found here. From here you are on the east side of the Sheep Range, which can be seen from Amargosa on any decent day, and from Las Vegas as well.
WARD CHARCOAL OVENS	GREAT BASIN NATIONAL PARK
Back to Hwy. 93. You are on the Great Basin Highway. There is a stop to view the local elk. Mountains on either side of the highway. Very little sign of civilization until you get to Pioche. More side trips can start from there. Spring Valley State Park, and Echo Canyon State Park. South of Pioche you will come to the entrance to Cathedral Gorge State Park. DO STOP THERE! At least drive in and have a look so you can return, and you WILL want to return! A bit further and you are in Caliente. It's a sleepy little town, but you have to stop at the old railroad depot, which has been converted to city offices. There are some decorated railroad cars nearby.
CATHEDRAL GORGE	CALIENTE
At this point the road heads west across Delamar Valley. Beautiful vistas of mountains and valleys and an appreciation of what "basin and range" means. At Crystal Springs the road once again heads south. More small towns. Ash Springs, Alamo and then Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge. At the right time of year there should be lot of migrating birds to be found here. From here you are on the east side of the Sheep Range, which can be seen from Amargosa on any decent day, and from Las Vegas as well. The trip is almost over. You'll run into Hwy. 15 and head into Las Vegas, then take Hwy. 95 northwest out of town. Now you can see the west side of the Sheep Range. Past Indian Springs, and then Mercury, entrance to the the Nevada Test Site. Back to Hwy. 373 and Amargosa Valley.