Humboldt County

Full of Surprises

The Markers Statistics Related Links

John C. Fremont first muttered the name "Humboldt" while on his trans-continental exploration from 1845 to 1846. The name "Humboldt" in Nevada refers to both a river and a county, in fact, the "filthiest, muddiest stream" in all of the world - some harsh words to call a river that also inexplicably saved thousands of lives. The river still plays a vital role in the life of today's Humboldt County, but it's Interstate 80 that many believe brings life to this area of the Silver State. Interstate 80 bisects Nevada east to west and connects the county with the rest of Nevada, a true blessing and a curse, first in importance, twenty-fours a day and a necessary chain that links Humboldt life together.

Grand Humboldt: North
Before the days of modern man, the county that came to be was a true outback in the Great Basin. Arguably there is no other place in Nevada more remote than northwest Humboldt County - a grand swath of remote country contained within a circle west of Denio that encompasses the Sheldon Antelope Wildlife Refuge, Duferrena Wetlands, Summit Lake, and Soldier Meadows. Northern Humboldt retains endangered riparian canyons and wetlands that are some of the last remaining untouched wildlands in the entirety of the Great Basin. People today can even mine for a famous gemstone as their ancestors probably did many centuries ago. Nevada's state gemstone, the Virgin Valley Fire Opal. Here's a rock that's one of the world's rarest gemstones, highly valued, and found only in the dry, ugly clay hills of northern Humboldt. The stone's given rarity can demand a price tag well over six digits. Mysteries like these are concepts worlds away from any yellow lined strip of intrusive interstate concrete!

Southern Humboldt is another diamond in the rough. It's the county's southwest corner in fact that continues to mystify man. Just when we begin to question Nevada's true self the Black Rock comes on strong in its silence-is-golden rule. The remoteness here is more like a rough paradise suited for the extremist who wishes to see "everything" in the world at the same time. Here, the land is primal and full of surprises! And, the Black Rock is not alone in its wildness. Island sanctuaries like the Jackson Mountains and the Quinn River drainage supplies life with the resources it needs to play out its symphony. Save for a handful of ranchers and a party full of Labor Day "burners," this remote corner of Humboldt still receives only a small amount of visitors per year. Old emigrant trails still demark the land as raised tracks in the sage undisturbed and likely to remain so for centuries.

What's a "Winnemucca?"
Moving eastward Central Humboldt is the county's population center, comprising both the Quinn River and Paradise Valleys. The corridor along US 95 extends from Winnemucca to the tiny hamlet of McDermitt. Along this path, the highlight of central Humboldt is the Santa Rosa Range - not just another island of mountains but one of the county's most-dependable watersheds. Of course, that pesky interstate carries life as well. Friendly folks and tattered stories reside in some places like Golconda and Valmy, young saplings that sprouted out of the sagebrush and rooted to the interstate.

Perhaps no other place is more fastened to the 80 than Winnemucca, a name that literally means, "Place by the River" and named for the great Chief Winnemucca. His daughter Sarah was an author and a humanitarian who vowed for peace and co-existence between whites and her native Paiutes. What we have some 150 years later is a mini-city here in Nevada with just about every amenity the weary interstate commuter might need ... twenty four hours a day. A visit to Winnemucca will undoubtedly highlight its reason for being: to serve the interstate, but locals are trying to change that image to a cowboy "hotspot." Even so, most will probably see the little burg for what it is - a quick pit stop on the way to Reno or Salt Lake City. Love it or hate it, the 80 remains a complete necessity in all things old and new in Humboldt County.

The Markers
With your new fresh state of mind imagine a sweet space where you are your only company in a land vast and testing. This is what you can expect on your conquering of Humboldt County ... if you venture off the interstate. Find an atlas of Nevada and pinpoint "Soldier Meadows." No pavement here for close a hundred miles! Allow yourself the true experience of Humboldt's hidden niches.

Start by staying in WInnemucca and work your way eastward to tackle the "easy markers" along the interstate. Double back from the Lander line and make your way back to US 95. Travel north up to the Oregon border and spend the night under the McDermitt stars. Pick a camp near Disaster Peak or in a side canyon of the Santa Rosas and the thought of that interstate will soon fall away! This is just a primer to tackling Nevada's most remote historic marker.

Start your next day by filling up in McDermitt before retreating even deeper into the Humboldt County outback. Head northwest toward Denio and prepare yourself for a few days' solitude at "Soldier Meadows" ... and Marker 162. If camping doesn't interest you can always book a night at the Soldier Meadows Guest Ranch - the only form of services for a hundred miles. As a guest, you can wake up to a fresh-cooked meal with hot showers and a warm, comfortable bed. Whatever your fancy, welcome to the real Nevada. Now... where's that interstate again?