SPRUCE MOUNTAIN
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SPRUCE MOUNTAIN |
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NAME: Spruce Mountain COUNTY: Elko ROADS: 2WD GRID: 1 CLIMATE: Pleasant summer, heavy snow in winter. BEST TIME TO VISIT: Summer, autumn. |
COMMENTS:
Worth visiting the area. REMAINS: Many mines. UPDATE: While it's technically accurate that Spruce Mountain can be approached by 2WD vehicle, after the first kiosk it's foot, mountain bike, horseback or ATV only. Dave Tilger who works at Wright Motors in Elko (ATV dealer) maintains the main roads over the mountain on behalf of the Gold Country ATV Club, but the mountain itself is now under BLM jurisdiction. There are now Carsonite signs (narrow flimsy trail markers) along the designated roads and kiosks are various locations at the base of the mountain. The most easily accessible road is from US 93 south of Wells, Nevada. The BLM isn't permitted to actively advertise the site, though, because of a dispute by the Nevada Department of wildlife as to whether recreation on the mountain will have an impact on wintering deer and elk. For the time being, people can still recreate there, so I'd advise people to visit the site while they can. - Jared DuBach |
The history of Spruce Mountain is the history of an area and eleven communities located in southern Elko County. Its history begins in 1869 with the discovery of lead-silver ore that created a small rush of prospectors and investors. In less than three months, three new mines began production and by 1870 close to 100 miners were working claims from the western to the eastern slopes of Spruce Mountain. In 1871, three separate mining districts were organized and were later consolidated into one district called the Spruce Mountain Mining District. As time passed additional camps were formed along the slopes of Spruce Mountain and then into districts and then into communities with each having its own identity and history. Spruce Mountain mines produced every year to 1952 when serious mining came to and end. Spruce Mountain’s best year was 1945. During that year the mines produced nearly $300,000 worth of ore. From 1944 to 1948 the figure was close to $900,000. But by 1947 the ore began to decrease in value and the end was somewhat in sight. Since 1961 no production has taken place on Spruce Mountain. It is the best ghost town in Elko County and has much to offer visitors. Besides the buildings and townsites, there are a multitude of mines, head frames, ore chutes, and dumps where the old and the new exist side by side.
Submitted by: HBC |
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