I’m taking a few days to “decompress” after Vegas and Freedomfest. I’ll have more from that event for you soon – I focused upon topics relevant to RV travelers, and I STILL have much more to come from Utah, including the San Rafael Swell… but, I ran across a place the other day I’d like to share with you. (I keep getting sidetracked… a bit of adhd perhaps?! 😉
Ok, Let me start here…
The Open Road from Vegas north…
I left Vegas on July 22, and headed (as planned) north and “up”! When I departed Monday at about 10am, it was already about 100F. Right outside of Vegas, I started climbing from about 2000 ft. to 6400 ft. and when I reached Ely, Nevada (pronounced Elee!) the temperature was in the low 90’s and it was mid-afternoon. MUCH more livable!
What I did observe was about 250 miles of NOTHING between Vegas and Ely! Just a wide valley with gently sloping hills on both sides a few miles away from the highway heading north.
And I thought Utah was remote!! From Ely to Wells, its another 140 miles of virtually pure wilderness! In the video below, I condensed HOURS of driving into just a few minutes AND introduce you to 3 RV parks – including one at Angle Lake (near Wells) at about 8400 ft.
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Hours of Wilderness Driving in Nevada condensed to a few minutes (with great music!)…and…The Drive to Angel Lake
Two nights in Ely – and some kayaking at Comins Lake just outside of town (I have some great photos below – including some of the ducks with their babies, some in tow!)I
Did you see the photo of the Humboldt Mountains (just outside of Ely) with SNOW on the slopes? This photo was taken on July 25!
After leaving Ely, I headed further north to Wells. Wells is not much of a town – even the RV Park I stayed at in Wells – Welcome Station RV Park is about 8 miles outside of town! I stayed the max 2 nights that the Passport America discount afforded me (it’s 50% off about thirty bucks a night for full hookups and a really nice campground) and then headed west to Elko – which is where I’m sharing all this with you now (on the 27th of July.) By the way – Welcome Station is a NICE RV Park!
On my layover day, I did find some redeeming value in what appeared to be an otherwise dusty highway intersection of a town! Allow me to explain – Wells has no “downtown”, it basically exists where US Highway 93 crosses Interstate 80 and that enabled someone to build a bunch of overpriced gas stations, a few fast food joints (though Bellas IS really good), a brothel (yep), and a few casinos (it IS Nevada!)
Wells – So why even bring this fleabag town…errr…small Nevada hamlet to you?
Well, it’s not the community indoor pool (which IS nice), the quiet streets that enabled me to do a bike ride (also nice), it’s actually Angel Lake. About 20 minutes outside of town and 3000 ft. ABOVE it. The video below shows you all you need to know! There is a campground up there, but, I would NOT bring anything over about 23 ft. up the road and into it. So, a Class B, SMALL Class C or a small travel trailer. I did see a few truck campers in the park (no hookups – but minimal costs.)
Frankly, I think the video says it all. Perhaps it was just the timing – at the end of a pretty darn good day – a day for which I set real low expectations! Or perhaps it was seeing snow “up close” in July – FAR more snow that is normal for that area this late in the Summer. Or perhaps its a sign that I’m getting ready to get back IN the snow – soon, when ski season inevitably approaches!
So…. enjoy Angel Lake, Wells, Nevada – an unexpected Gem
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5kg13wy09PU[/embedyt]Hey, as you travel, you may find that discount rv campground programs can help you save some significant money – here’s a recent post I did that details two I would not be caught without!
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Thanks for the concierge offer. My wife has far more interest and desire in “home like” 5er. My retired CDL may come in handy when i end up having to buy a toter truck. I’ve located short wheel base, single drive axle pretty easily.
Have a safe journeyy
Thanks and when you’re ready, feel free to contact me and we’ll find a ‘homelike’ 5th wheel for her! Al
THIS IS OUR PLAN; IF THE REAL ESTATE MARKET IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD GETS TO OUR MAGIC NUMBER WE SELL OFF OUR STUFF AND THE HOUSE. MARTHA AND I ARE RETIRED AND ARE LOOKING AT 5TH WHEELS FOR FULL TIME LIVING. RV PARKS AND RV RESORTS ARE NOT ON OUR PREFERRED STAY AND VISIT LIST. WE PREFER THE BOONDOCKING, “OUT OF THE WAY” CAMPGROUNDS (LIKE ANGEL LAKE AND NEVADA STATE PARKS) AND NOT SO POPULAR NATIONAL PARKS (LIKE GREAT BASIN NP). MY GMC 2500HD 4X4 SB WON’T HANDLE A 5TH WHEEL THE WAY MY WANTS IT OUTFITTED. WE WANT TO BE CERTAIN (AS BEST WE CAN) WE DON’T OVER SIZE OUR EQUIPMENT FOR THE DESTINATIONS AND LOCATIONS WE PREFER. THAT’S OUR CONUNDRUM. WE’VE DONE SOME SHOPPING AND LEAN TOWARDS THE GRAND DESIGNS REFECTION 303RLS 5TH WHEEL. I’M CURIOUS, WHAT DO YOU DRIVE? THANKS PEEWEE HENSON RENO, NV
Peewee,
I have a 2015 F250 diesel. The Grand Design Reflection 303RLS is a decent camper; I’m a FAR greater fan of the Arctic Fox 29-5 – about the same length, has shocks on it, better insulation, fiberglass slides (all around except on top), bigger fresh water tank (80 gal) and so on. When you’re ready, if you want to avail yourself of my Concierge Buying Service, don’t hesitate to reach out. Al (rvacrossamerica.net/buysell)
HI ALLEN, PEEWEE HENSON HERE. I’VE A QUESTION; HAVE YOU ENCOUNTERED ANY LOCATIONS WHERE YOUR RIG WON’T FIT ? PLACES LIKE USFS CAMPGROUNDS, STATE AND NATIONAL PARKS. THANKS FOR THE HELP AND WISDOM
Yes – check my posts about Roosevelt National Recreation Area. Here’s one – https://rvacrossamerica.net/roosevelt-national-recreation-area-in-northeastern-washington-state/ I have 2-3 others already up and more coming – probably in September or October. My camper is 34’11” – comfortable enough to live in; in a perfect world, I’d like to be 31′ – but – for full time living (for me) that would be tight. Are you thinking about getting a camper? What have you looked at?
LOL I KNOW. I’M NOT LONG FOR HERE EITHER. GOD LET GOOD THINGS HAPPEN FOR ME HERE. WE’VE PLANS TO FIND MORE THINGS GOD WANTS US TO ENJOY
nice, keep in touch Peewee
“CODES”, I HATE THOSE TOO!!! YOU EVER GET TO RENO WE CAN GET A LUNCH. TRAVEL SAFE
I may make it there eventually – but – its awfully close to the international border and the Peoples Republic!
ALLEN, ANGEL LAKE IS QUITE THE GEM. MY WIFE AND I VISIT WELLS OFTEN. WE HAVE A 120 ACRE RETREAT NORTH OF WELLS. ALONG HWY 93 YOU MISSED THE BEST PARTS OF NEVADA. ON YOUR NEXT TRIP ON 93 VISIT THE NEVADA STATE PARKS (OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD; SOUTHFORK, CAVE LAKE, SPRING VALLEY, ECHO CANYON, WARD CHARCOAL OVENS, KERSHAW-RYAN, BEAVER DAM, CATHEDRAL GORGE), YOU WON’T BE DISAPPOINTED
Peewee,
Thanks for the tips! Actually, I made it to South Fork and kayaked one morning – unfortunately the lake has turned and is quite green! I traveled from Wells to Elko – more stories coming soon – spent a few days in Wildhorse Reservoir and now I’m on the Indian Reservation on the Idaho border at Mountain View Reservoir. Kayaked this morning here and now I’m addressing a “code” my truck generated last night!