Near Elko in Elko County, Nevada — The American Mountains (Southwest)

About Your Journey ...

Photographed By Duane Hall, July 5, 2013

1. About Your Journey ... Marker

Inscription. Whichever direction your travels take you, you're going to have a similar experience to what the California-bound emigrants had. You're going to see the same country, except for the towns and the ranch meadows. The big difference, though, is that you'll be traveling at a much faster pace. From here, you can be in California in a few hours. For the emigrants, it was as much as a month's journey. As you drive and look back at the country, think about those people who plodded along day after day through the thick alkali dust and sand--headed toward dreams of gold or a new life.

The California Trail had its beginnings at several points along the Missouri River, and included several variant routes across the Great Basin and over the Sierra Nevada mountains into California. With the completion of the transcontinental railroad in 1869, most travelers made the journey by rail.

You're Invited!
There are many California Trail sites like this one, spread across Nevada. They're marked on this map.
As you stop at these sites, you'll learn more about what happened to these emigrants as they traveled across the Great Basin. Be sure to visit the California Trail Interpretive Center just west of Elko, Nevada.

Erected by Bureau of Land Management.

Topics and series. This

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historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the California Trail series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1869.

Location. 40° 46.024′ N, 115° 55.355′ W. Marker is near Elko, Nevada, in Elko County. Marker can be reached from Interstate 80 at milepost 292, on the right when traveling west. To visit the marker, exit I-80 at Exit 292 (Hunter) and follow the directional signs to the California Emigrant Trail Interpretive Center; the marker is at the gated entrance to the Center. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Elko NV 89801, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. The Humboldt River Highway (here, next to this marker); The End of the Hastings Cutoff (here, next to this marker); The California Emigrant Trail Interpretive Center (here, next to this marker); Marking Time (a few steps from this marker); California Trail - Greenhorn Cutoff (a few steps from this marker); West End of Hastings Cutoff (approx. 0.2 miles away); Hoppe-Lienhard Wagon Group (approx. 0.2 miles away); California Trail - Carlin Canyon (approx. 5.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Elko.

California Trail Markers image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane Hall, July 5, 2013

2. California Trail Markers

At entrance to the California Emigrant Trail Interpretive Center

Also see . . . California Trail Interpretive Center Website. (Submitted on August 10, 2013, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas.)

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on August 10, 2013, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. This page has been viewed 456 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 10, 2013, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas.