OUR ROUTE:

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 3

EVERYONE must be at the Pershing County Rodeo Grounds in Lovelock by 1 PM. At 1 PM we will begin shuttling rigs to the trail's end at the Adams Ranch in Fallon. All rigs drive over there and the people wait for the shuttle vans to take them back to the Rodeo Grounds. We will eat at Sturgeon's Casino. If you want one last night with a nice bed and warm shower, we recommend making a reservation for Sturgeon's Motel - (775) 273-2971 or (888) 234-6835 - and spend the night (after feeding your stock at the fairgrounds, of course) We all eat at Sturgeon's, and Bill delivers an orientation program.
Lovelock Rodeo Grounds

Our route follows the Old California Pioneer Trail from modern-day Lovelock to Fallon, Nevada. This includes the infamous "Forty-Mile Desert" between The Humboldt Sink and the Carson Sink.

This area is a unique geological phenomenon, where two rivers simply sink into the desert sands. They are two of Nevada's "rivers to nowhere." (Others are the Walker and the Truckee, which does not disappear, but spills into Pyramid Lake, which has no outlet)

DAY BY DAY ROUTE DESCRIPTION:

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2: Pershing County Rodeo Grounds is open and available for early arrivals. Many people like to come early, to let your stock acclimate, test equipment, etc.

DAY 1 ON THE TRAIL - THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 4

From the rodeo grounds, we spend a short time on a public road until we reach the trail. Turning right onto the trail,
we travel over several miles of open range on well-maintained dirt/gravel road. There may be occasional vehicle
traffic, though not much.

This is the day to get used to the trail, to get your stock used to the rumble and creaking of the wagons, to get to know your fellow travelers. The trail is not challenging in itself, but the stock may feel frisky or unsure in this new environment. This is the one day out of the trip that the wagon masters will allow stragglers and side-trippers. Just keep in sight of the wagon train - you don't want to get lost!

DAY2 Friday, September 5

Today we go down a hill that is challenging for the wagons, though not so much for the outriders. So we ask that the riders wait, and the wagons descend one by one. Then we enter the Humboldt Sinks. Along the last of the willows along the Sinks, the trail splits. The wagons take the low road, through some very deep, nasty shale. the outriders take the High Road, which is also shale, and the most rugged part of the trail, though most have no real problem with it. Wild horses and burros, as well as badgers and various birds of prey can occasionally be spotted on this stretch of the trail.
descent 2 Riders watching wagons descend Gene Glascock, the Longrider, joined us in 2006

Down to the Sinks coered wagon with Humboldt Sink in the background

Outriders on the High Road Haflingers navigate the Shale Wild horse band in the distance

DAY3 Saturday, September 6

By today we need to be able to ride as a close unit. Much of the day will be spent travelling along Highway 95 and the Union Pacific railroad tracks, so we need to stay together!

This is also a day to wear your Period Costumes or Buckaroo Finery, as many travelers along Route 95 will stop and take our pictures. The public really enjoys seeing this wagon train, and even if they don't stop, they all are excited to see us, and many honk or call out to express their appreciation. Last year a trucker even stopped and gave us a load of luscious, cold watermelons!

wagon train along the highway wagopn train along highway - riders follow closely big rig stopped to take pictures and give us watermelon

Leaving the highway, we again follow the Old California Trail into the desert, and we take a break at the Pioneer memorial

Pioneer Memorial Piomneer Memorial

DAY4 Sunday, September 7

Saturday Night is traditionally "Campfire Night" although regulations around campfires are getting stricter, so we may have to use a propane "campfire."

Day 4, early morning Uphill Push Longrider in the Dunes

In the morning, we take group pictures before setting out. The trail includes some steep hills, but there is excitement in the air that we are almost Home - as well as some mixed feelings, sadness to have to leave this wonderful adventure and all of our new friends.

Rushing uphill uphill uphill

Just before lunchtime, we are often met by friends on horseback, giving the feel of an old time western movie, with strangers rapidly approaching in the distance, dust billowing up behind them - are they friend or foe? In this case, friends!

Friend or Foe? Riders Approach in the Distance

We eat lunch in a parking lot just past some geothermal and military installations, near the Fallon City Limits. Coming into the parking lot the trail is good, but if you take the obvious shortcut, you will find yourself - and your horse or mule - bounding like a bunny through very deep dunes. We then travel for a few miles through Fallon (the only part of the route with significant vehicular traffic, but by now our animals are savvy and calm!) and over a public park with a large dam and levee. From there we enter the road that will take us to our trucks and trailer. And then... It's all over! People turn on their cell phones and we re-enter the 21st Century!

high road wagonmaster wagon train