Several warnings before I get into this -
A majority of Storey County is PRIVATELY OWNED --
including a road I was originally recommending. If you begin this
trek from Virginia Highlands, take Lousetown Road. It is by far the
worst road, but it is county property.
Should someone come along and decide they just want to make your
life hell, here are the two laws that will without a doubt be
thrown at you.
The Archeological Resource Protection Act (ARPA) of 1979 and
the Nevada Revised
Statutes (NRS), Sections 381.195 through 381.227.
I will state the obvious, sign or no sign, this location is
protected by state and federal laws.
Personally, this is such a remote location, and a majority of
geocachers are responsible people, I see no reason why such a
fragile and sacred site should be locked behind the shroud of
secrecy. The more people who know and respect this site, the larger
a force there is to stand up and protect it against those who have
no respect and intentionally or not, destroy this precious
location.
Going with that, I HIGHLY encourage you to follow the
following:
Take Nothing But Pictures, Leave Nothing But Footprints,
Kill Nothing But Time
This trek definitely falls under the journey is more important
than the destination, though the destination makes the journey
worth every jaw-jarring rock. Lousetown Road is the way to get here
from Virginia City, those following the
Virginia Range Trek #1 will find another access point. You'll
be traveling through the Virginia Range, loaded with history
extending back tens of thousands of years. From the V&T toll
roads, to Comstock miners and ranchers, to ancient Native American
sites, the whole area is astounding.
A high-clearance 4x4 is required as well as a full supply of
desert off-road gear. Water being the highest on that list,
especially during the summer months. Also, the road does cross at
least one stream, not deep, but still has a rocky bottom.
The cache is located at the mouth of an impressive site. There
is parking east of the cache - DO NOT DRIVE BEYOND THE FENCE - and
if you continue along the road, you will see what all the pictures
only hint at. There are an estimated 2,000 individual panels
contained within a mere 1/4 mile. I recommend taking the day and
going out here to have time to take it all in. Definitely worth the
effort. Also, this whole area is prime mustang grounds, so do not
be surprised if you see a herd or ten.
The road is slow going, and it'll take approximately one hour to
reach the site. During the summer, the basalt boulders become
extremely hot, and also provide much needed shelter for a nest of
rattlesnakes. Use caution and maintain a sharp eye on any little
ones who come along with you.
Please enjoy this site, and do your part in protecting it by not
touching the art (oils react the the varnish), not removing
anything from the site, not damaging the rocks (boot scuff marks,
graffiti), and working to educate others about the delicate nature
of these locations.
I love geocaching because it takes me places I would never have
seen without it. I would not want to see geocaching become the
reason these places are shut down.