Saturday, I had planned to show Jared, Great Basin Exploring, Monitor and Mogul ghost towns in Alpine County before the storm hit, and the area was closed until spring. Unfortunately, we were a day late and a dollar short; the passes were closed in anticipation of the incoming cyclone bomb. We were able to take Highway 89 to the Junction of Highway 4, but Monitor Pass was gated. We briefly visited Mt. Bullion before heading back towards Markleeville.
Carson River had mills along its banks to process ore from mines in the Monitor and Mogul districts. I have seen old photographs of the mills but never found evidence of their location. The river banks are steep in this area, and I know from Hubby’s experience, challenging to hike. It felt a little like cheating, but we flew our drones looking for old foundations or other debris. We didn’t find what we were looking for, but it was fun to fly the drones and see their capabilities. It was scary flying from above when the drone told me it was 35 meters below ground level; I was a little afraid of it taking an unplanned swim in the river.
As Monitor and Mogul are inaccessible for the season, we opted to follow the Carson River Emigrant Route over Carson Pass. We started with a chilly hike to Snowshoe Thompson’s cave, but to my dismay, the cave had no snow, which I have wanted for a photograph.
We headed west to Maiden’s Grave and paid our respects to Mr. Allen Melton. Our next stop was Tragedy Springs, which is more of a Tragedy now. What was once a beautiful meadow and remembrance to fallen soldiers is now a charred mess. It was like being in a Wes Craven movie; everything was stark black and white. The Caldor Fire did not touch either of the Maiden’s Graves but destroyed Tragedy Springs. Hiking in the snow, the smell of smoke permeated the area.
Our final stop was the top of Devil’s Ladder, including Odd Fellows Rocks and Grave of Unknown Pioneer. We hiked through the snow following the emigrant ruts. Instead of covering history, snow chooses to reveal more. Next to the Grave of the Unknown Pioneer, I spotted an old painting indicating the grave along with an arrow.
Faded Odd Fellows markings on the boulder
10-23-2021
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