La Plata (Silver - The Payment) This is the old Churchill County Seat, what remains of the Courthouse.
Just above the Courthouse, and unknown remnants of a building with a fireplace in the back. Old Post Office?
One of the 3 remaining foundations at La Plata.
This is Dixie Valley, 30 miles east of Fallon, Nv. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, this valley was booming. In 1862, silver was discovered up what is now called La Plata Canyon (In Spanish, Plata means - silver. As a term, La Plata means - The Payment .). Aptly named for the hope that a big payout was coming one way or the other. La Plata erupted in 1864 with the discovery of silver ore. This area blossomed so quickly that it became the county seat for Churchill County in 1864. It was short lived, and in 1867, the county seat was moved to Stillwater, just east of Fallon. I can’t find the estimated population of La Plata, but before it died: “The population of the district, nearly all residing in the town, is about 200; being scarcely so large now as it was twelve months ago.”
-American Mining Gazette and Geological Magazine, Volume II, January 1 to December 31, 1865, "The New State of Nevada"
Although “The Payment” was short lived, almost everything from this area was just picked up and moved to other mining areas around the state, including a 10 Stamp Mill that was used to crush ore. An example of a 5 stamp mill is pictured in the ride “Tunnel Camp.” All that remains are the cornerstones of the Courthouse, and a couple small stone walled houses, maybe even the post office. Even though there is not much left, this is a fantastic Gravel or MTB ride.
From Reno, Nv, drive out to Fallon. Continue East on Hwy 50 past Sand Mountain. Head up and over Sand Spring Pass, and down toward Dixie Valley. Right before you get to Hwy 839 / 31, take a left on the dirt road. Follow this dirt road on the west side of Dixie Valley for 8.25 miles. You could just ride this section, but it is boring, dusty, and now and again, you have a vehicle pass you with a huge dust cloud. So, I would just drive it. At the 8.25 mile mark, you hit a “T” intersection. Park on the right. I rode this ride counterclockwise. If you are just going to visit La Plata and return, go the same way I did. If you want to make it a loop, it would be easier to ride it clockwise. The climb clockwise is more gradual. If you ride counterclockwise, the final climb is loose and steep. Either way, it is an awesome ride.
Water pumping windmill.
Assuming you are riding counterclockwise like I did, head east. In .7 miles, you will turn left, which is the first left you come to. This is the base of La Plata Canyon. The road is beautiful as you head up the canyon. The colors of the hillside change from sage and rock to yellows and oranges. In 2 miles from the start, you will come to a working water pumping windmill. As long as the wind is blowing, this windmill is pumping water.
La Plata County Courthouse.
Continue West up the canyon, and in 2 more miles you will hit a “Y” in the road, and you will see the remains of the Courthouse, and will be in town of La Playa. The road to the right goes up the canyon, and finally terminates at the ridge of the Stillwater Range. Just to the right of the Courthouse is a collapsed mine shaft, but not much more up that canyon.
Collapsed Mine Shaft
From this point, stay to the left, and follow this road up the canyon, almost directly West. In 1 mile, you will come to another fork in the road. If you go strait, this road continues up La Plata Canyon to the Ridge and stops there. It is a fantastic overlook, but a tough climb to the top. Take a hard left, and the road starts a quick and steep climb for about 1/2 mile, then levels out to the ridge. Once you clear this sharp climb, the road mellows and flows to the ridge with a beautiful view looking down La Plata Canyon into Dixie Valley. Just over the ridge is a beautiful view looking South.
View from top of the climb looking South.
Once at the ridge, the road is a little loose, but not bad, and heads due west. You can see your return road in the canyon below heading back to the east. Continue west for 2 miles and you will hit a “T” intersection. The road you pop out on might as well be a freeway. It is smooth and fast all the way to the car. There are 2 small climbs right near the bottom of the downhill, then it just pops you out at your vehicle.
Strava Link for La Plata Ride.
Here is the Google Map Link
Here is the Ride with GPS Link
Final descent back to the car.
Looking East down La Plata Canyon into Dixie Valley.
Google Maps image of La Plata ride.
WHEN ACCESSING THE RIDE WITH GPS LINK BELOW, THERE IS A DROP DOWN MENU ON THE UPPER RIGHT OF THE MAP. THIS DROP DOWN MENU ALLOWS YOU TO CHANGE THE KIND OF MAP YOU ARE LOOKING AT, FROM A GOOGLE SATELLITE MAP TO A USGS TOPO MAP, AND ANY OTHER MAP IN BETWEEN. IF YOU WOULD LIKE THE GPS FILE FOR YOUR GARMIN, FEEL FREE TO E-MAIL OR CALL THE SHOP.