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Last Seen:
County Route 34 and High Rock Canyon Rd. -- 50 miles north of Gerlach
This marker is currently missing
Region
Northern
Signed
No signs exist for this marker
MISSING
This marker has been missing since 2000.
Exact Description
The presence of man from 3,000 B.C. to the gold-rush days is recorded on high canyon walls. Prehistoric man left his rockshelters, campsites, and petroglyphs in this historically rich, remote, volcanic area.
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Northern Paiute Indians roamed these lands when John C. Fremont first journeyed through high rock canyon in 1843. The Applegate brothers blazed their trail from Oregon through the canyon to the Humboldt River in 1846. Peter Lassen partially followed this route in 1848, and gold seekers crowded the trail in 1849.
Case number 149
Missing Since: 2000
Whereabouts
According the State Marker System:
"Located along County Route 34 and the BLM road to High Rock Canyon, Washoe County."
​The Instant Mishap of Marker 149
Oh, Marker 149. We miss you so. The case of Marker 149 is a downright shame because we'll probably never see this one again. In fact even the SHPO states on their website that this marker has been "permanently removed." And well, unlike the other cases of MIAs, we know exactly the main cause behind its disappearance.
Take a look at any of the maps I've showcased here and you'll see the number one culprit behind the mishap of Marker 149. And dare we say: the SHPO should have known better in the first place. The marker's extremely remote location, completely void of people or any form of services for at least fifty miles in any direction, was its instant downfall.
The only hint of news we've ever heard regarding this case was reported in 2005 when a group of hunters came upon the remnants of the marker's base at the exact listed location above: "County Route 34 and the BLM road to High Rock Canyon." The group found a pair of faded-blue stubby legs sticking out of the ground.
Here's the deal.
The road headed for the High Rock Canyon turnoff - unpaved County Route 34 - is an easy breezy walk in the park. It's the area's extreme isolation that'll get you. Nevada's Northwest Corner, or what I refer to it as "The Forgotten Corner," is set far away from what most of America would dub as civilization. It is no doubt one of the last pieces of unbroken desolation in the Lower 48, a lonely triangle encompassing northeastern California, southeastern Oregon, and northwestern Nevada.
And let me say with the utmost pride that conquering, or even making the determined drive to confirm its disappearance, will require dedication and a long six-hour round trip on the wide-graded dirt road into the great interior of this corner.
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The "Conquering" of 2009
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On a cool May late morning in '09, we launched from our base in Gerlach to make our "conquering" of Marker 149. However, we were set in reality going in with the fact that this marker is gone for good.
This excursion was going to be different.
Knowing all this, we set out to catalog the exact distance from Gerlach without a single diversion instead of miraculously coming upon its stubby legs. In short, we needed to ensure precise mileage for our records and future marker hunters.
Once leaving the security of Gerlach, you'll be immediately hit by the area's sudden isolation, a remote factor that grips you tight and doesn't let go. What makes #149 such a challenge to conquer is the complete lack of fuel, services, and mobile coverage in this triangle of nothingness. Even the most basic needs for, well anything, immediately weighs on you upon leaving Adel, Cedarville, or Gerlach - depending on which direction you're coming from.
Due to its isolation factor, it's no wonder the SHPO stated the impossibility of this marker's replacement, even going as far as omitting any indication of any possible reappearance.
Check out the journey we made into the Northwest Corner for our conquering of Marker 162 here or the link down below.
Still want to give this one a go? Of course, you do. Please know that you are on your own! Perhaps this adage applies better to this area than anywhere else in Nevada:
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Street View
Seeing that it's unlikely we'll ever see Marker 149 again, we've come up with a few possible strategies to replace this old girl. But, there's no easy recommendation for this one!
As stated before even the SHPO has deemed this one a complete loss to the system. Even though the location for Marker 149 is nothing short of incredible, the same extreme remoteness that makes this location awesome paradoxically seals its fate as a forever MIA. The culprit? The Northwest Corner itself.
The entirety of the Corner has a total population of less than 200 people (2020 census). Deputy Sheriffs from both Washoe and Humboldt Counties make a run up there only once a month thereby solidifying any lack of possible "lookouts" for marker vandalism. As long as it's located so far away from major services, it's fair to assume that any type of replacement for Marker 149 would likely mean a repeat of the past. Marker 162, for example, is equally remote, but this one still stands because of the watchful eyes of the Soldier Meadows Ranch right behind the marker. Unfortunately (or fortunately!), any replacement for Marker 149 needs to be closer to civilization.
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Here's what we've come up with.
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1. County Route 34 End of Pavement
* Our personal recommendation!
The pavement's end of County Route 34 is a strategic one and arguably, the safest spot we have for a new Marker 149. It's pretty much considered the "last chance" in this neck of the woods. Locals, ranch owners, and rural postal workers often use this location as a backwoods meeting spot -- evident by the large pullout seen on the Street View below. Think of this pavement end as a gateway into the Northwest Corner. From this point onward, you're on your own.
The pavement's end for CR 34 (40.873206, -119.342867) is located approximately 21 miles north of Gerlach. This is what you'll see.
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This dirt pullout could realistically be the best home for a replacement of Marker 149. Yes, this location is still incredibly remote, but nowhere near as isolated as the junction with High Rock Canyon Road. This pullout sees daily regulars and deputy sheriffs use this as a quick pullaround. The mountain range here isn't too shabby of a backdrop either!
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2. Soldier Meadows Road Junction (CR 34 & CR 208)
This plot is a tad closer to Gerlach than the last and serves as an important crossroads for the region. The junction is frequented enough by local ranch owners and BLM officials, so the "lookout" factor is strong here.
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3. Soldier Meadows Campground (Humboldt County)
This location will force Marker 149 to fall into the Humboldt County batch of markers, but it could be one of the best. The Soldier Meadows Campground ("SMC" for short) is a fairly occupied pocket of community just south of the Soldier Meadows Ranch -- and quite possibly, the most historically accurate location. No other recommendation comes closer in distance to High Rock Canyon!
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But, the location does pose a slight risk of vandalism since it's located right in the center of the Northwest Corner. However, the campground is occupied enough and frequented regularly by the BLM, so shenanigans will be seen and prosecuted, though marker maintenance could be an issue here in these parts.
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The campground and hot spring sits on the High Rock Canyon Road, just thirty miles shy of its namesake destination. Getting to the campground is a breeze for any vehicle, but any travel further on this road over into High Rock will require a hefty four-wheel-drive vehicle loaded to the brim with plenty of essentials!
Do not risk a breakdown out here!
Placement of the marker would offer an appealing backdrop of the High Rock Range along with some essential overnight services and the safety net of civilization in this remote nook.
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I've covered the SMC in full detail on my Trip to Soldier Meadows. Check it out below!
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This is by far the most remote possibility that we have here and honestly, runs a 50-50 chance of meeting the same fate. However, we've listed it because of the existence of this seasonal guest ranch.
My proposal places the new marker right across from the Old Yella Dog Ranch in Vya. The extreme placement of this marker is a perfect, and may we say almost obligatory, backdrop for this marker's content.
Why Vya?
Well, Vya acts as the only outpost in this area (if you can call it that), so this placement guarantees easy visibility and accessibility for the marker in this very remote region. Most importantly, a seasonal Washoe County Sheriff headquarters is located here which would further protect the marker from vandalism (which tends to be the case with Nevada's most rural markers).
Getting to Vya is no easy feat and will require a half-day trip minimum from Reno! You can get to Vya on County Route 34: a trip that'll take about four hours alone from Gerlach (one-way). You can alternatively reach it by taking the fast route of US 395 through California to Cedarville on CA 299, then seven miles east back into Nevada. This route will only take you about six hours from Reno.
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Either way, this new replacement at the Old Yella Dog Ranch would make Marker 149 the most isolated marker in the system, the farthest away from any significant town in Nevada. ​​​​​​
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What do you think?
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If you have any more information regarding HIGH ROCK CANYON we ask that you please contact me or the State Historic Preservation Office at
(775)684-3448 as soon as possible.
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Let's get this marker back to the people and/or the justice it deserves!
High Rock Canyon
572 miles
Next Stop:
Glendale
Total Mileage to Nevada's First State Park
Next:
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