Nevada 2024 Trip Report (Day 7)

Written by ceddammit

Today begins much like yesterday. Once again, I am planning to spend the day at a Nevada state park that I know virtually nothing about. This time, it’s Cathedral Gorge. I know I read a description of the place, and that it was a late addition to the itinerary, but I really don’t know what to expect when I get there. Oh, look! I’ve arrived! The park map indicates the first stop is called Moon Caves. Let’s see what there is to see…

Wow. And I thought the formations yesterday looked melted!
This formation seems to have a hobby: collecting tumbleweeds.
Remember what the dormouse said:
Feed your head
A hookah-smoking caterpillar has given me the call.
Today’s state park looks nothing like yesterday’s…
…wait, Is that a slot canyon? OK they do have something in common.
Looking up the wall of a slot canyon
Sometimes I wish I weren’t traveling alone; this pic needs a human in it…
…as it is, these pics just don’t give a clue how narrow and deep this is.
A haunted cemetery?
Another slot canyon. There are billions of these here!

The next stop is called Cathedral Caves, and it appears to be more of the same. I am having a great time exploring all these slot canyons and seeing the magic-mushroom-induced landscape, but I’m guessing my readers don’t want to wallow through hundreds of similar pics. According to the park map, there’s a second park entrance further up the highway, so I’ll head over there.

OK, I’m there. And it is a bit different. Have a look…

When using the north entrance, you start on top of the formations.
Another collector of tumbleweeds
I followed a trail all the way down to the base of the formations…
…and then had to walk all the way back up!

There ya have it, folks: Nevada’s Cathedral Gorge State Park. I definitely recommend checking this place out for yourself, if you’re good on sand. The trails I hiked are alternately rocky or sandy, meaning the footing is pretty rough, so I probably would not recommend the hikes to many of the Parkinson’s patients I know. But if your walking/balance functions are good, get out there and visit Cathedral Gorge State Park! Just don’t go during the summer. Or you will die.

Now, it’s time to get on the road and head for the next hotel. I don’t plan on making any stops on the two-hour drive unless I just happen to stumble upon something super cool. OMG, I just stumbled upon something super cool, on the outskirts of the town of Pioche! Check it out:

It’s an INTACT aerial ore tramway!
And it’s suspended over the highway!
AND it’s threatening to drop a bucket on my rental car!

Since this tramway appears to be intact, I HAVE TO follow it to its ends. I’ll start by trying to find the uphill end…

Interestingly, the tramway goes over a corner of a cemetery…
…and on up the mountain…
…up and over a ridge, then back down a little to reach the upper terminus…
…which has not held up as well as the tramway itself.
For my old Adventureland buddies…does this wheel bring back any memories?

I am unable to get close to the lower end of the tramway, as it appears to be completely surrounded by private property and the county jail. I am still quite happy with the find! Now, on to the hotel. I will not let the bedbugs bite. The earwigs may be a different story.

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