Hastings Cutoff, South of Wells, Elko County, Nevada

Highway 93 - South of Wells, Nevada

(near intersection of Highway 93 between Wells and Currie and Highway 229 to Ruby Valley or on the Trail between Mound Springs and Warm Springs [now called Curtis Springs?])

Elko County, Nevada

On July 14, 2002, we traveled from Elko to Wells then down Highway 93 to Currie, Nevada to see the old Nevada Northern Railroad Depot. On Highway 93, south of Wells, in Clover Valley, the blacktop road crosses the old Hastings Cutoff wagon trail. On Tuesday, September 15, 1846, the Donner Party passed by here in covered wagons on their way to infamy. Because there has not been a lot of disturbance to this area you can easily see the original wagon train ruts. On the way to Currie a thunder shower was passing through the area. On the way back, we noticed a lightning caused range fire had started up on the East Humboldt Range. The fire crews and spotter plane were arriving to the fire as I was taking these photos. It is my understanding that the fire was extinguished later in the day. As I have traveled about this part of Nevada I am particularly stuck by two things. It is vast and it is fragile. The land does heal itself, but it takes a long time. Here are wagon tracks made 150 years ago and they are still easily visible.

Howard Hickson's Histories

Guts and Dreams
What to take on the California Trail

USGS Topographic Map of Hastings Cutoff Tracks (1972)

at elevation of about 5,800 feet

(location of trail not shown)

Click on photos to enlarge

Applicable Portion of California Trail Map

(ruts shown here are on the Hastings Cutoff trail - south of Wells between Mound and Warm Springs)

(Mound Springs and Sulphur Hot Springs are shown on the current topographic maps. I believe that Warm Springs is now called Curtis Springs on the current topographic map)

From priceless brochure entitled "California Trail - California National Historic Trail"

National Park Service

Bureau of Land Management

Forest Service

This is the actual spot where the Hastings Cutoff trail crosses Highway 93 south of Wells. Just off the road to the west is a Trails West Marker and then just on the other side of the fence you can actually see the old wagon tracks. The mountains in the Distance are the East Humboldt Range. The tracks here are in Clover Valley.

Trails West Trail Marker of California Trail.

HASTINGS CUTOFF - WARM SPRING TO RUBY VALLEY

"Traveled south three miles (from Warm Springs). Then inclined to the right. Keeping close to the bluffs (of East Humboldt Range)" - John Udell, Jul 30, 1850

Guidebook Available

Trails West Inc."