Calico Ghost Town

17 January 2007

We departed Pahrump today for Calico regional Park and Campground. It was a short run but had to travel over two passes to get to this valley. This park also includes a restored 1880’s gold/silver rush town. It is another of the regions Ghost towns. The big difference between this one and Rhyolite is that this one has been largely restored to its appearance in the 1880’s and turned into a tourist trap with lots of stuff to buy.

The mines where productive for a few years and then the town slowly slipped into disuse. In the 1950’s, local support allowed the town to be restored to what you see in the pictures.

Except for quite a bit of junk on the road, some of which could not be avoided, the trip was uneventful. We were lucky enough to see our second coyote of the trip, but the navigator was not quick enough with the camera to get a picture. The first was in the dark in Lake Mead recreation area caught in our headlights as it ambled across the road. This one was feeding on some road kill and was reluctant to leave as we approached, which allowed us a good view, as it departed the scene.


We will start the day tomorrow with a trip to Peggy Sue’s nifty 50’s diner on the old Route 66, and then see what there is to see.