Sperry Wash
by Vicki Hill
Saturday morning the wind was blowing hard enough
that the planned hike to Ibex Dunes was cancelled. We didn’t want to
spend the day rubbing sand out of our eyes, ears and mouths. Instead,
seven vehicles left for the Amargosa River near Dumont Dunes. The sun was
warm, and there was plenty of water in the river. As we drove up the
canyon towards Sperry Wash, we crossed the river several times. Part of
the road is bumpy from lots of motorcycle traffic. Part of it actually has
asphalt pieces left from when there was an actual stopping place at
Sperry. Nothing is there now but cans, metal and glass and desiccated
pieces of wood. An occasional telegraph pole (one still standing) and the
berm from the Tonopah and Tidewater Railroad is still there, although in
the past few years, rains have breached it in many places. Pieces of metal
culvert material lie around disintegrating. We stopped at the site at the
same time as 3 hikers from BLM. One told us about the wild Longhorn cattle
that had just been removed from the area. Apparently remnants from the old
days. They were extremely unfriendly and a threat to hikers. No need to
keep looking over your shoulder now. We hiked up river a way and walked on
the berm. Our group included John and Nancy Hoopes. Allan Wicker, John
Page, Bob Meador and Nonie Desurra, Jim, Ryan Colleen and Jeff Kay, Don
Summers and myself. A nice sized group! We drove up Sperry Wash
afterwards, stopping to admire the balanced rocks, eat lunch and make our
way slowly over the spots where the road no longer existed. As we came up
out of the wash, the views of pink, cream and chocolate colored hills were
fabulous. The road ends up going through old talc mines, where we ended
the trip looking down into the deep, gouged out pit of one. The talc
mining ended years ago when asbestos was found in large quantities. From
that spot off of Western Talc road, we saw Resting Springs below, the
Nopah range and spectacular views of the Tecopa lake beds. Jeff and Ryan
raced up the hill in their Jeep to get a better view as the rest of us
headed back to Shoshone to take a dip in the hot water before Happy Hour
and our annual banquet. Thanks to all of you for making it a great day!
