The Great Incline of the Sierra Nevada Washoe County   39.23674,-119.92893

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"I remember the Ponderosa Ranch as if it were yesterday. I remember visiting the ranch in its heyday and would jump with ants in my pants as my dad lifted me up for a quick horseback ride. I remember being one of the lucky kids one year, jumping in for a sleigh ride on three feet of freshly-fallen white stuff. The memories still sound the bugle. And, I am still listening. #246 conquered." -- Journal Entry, August 2007

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Along SR 28, 2 miles south of Incline Village

Original Date Visited: 8/24/07

Signed: No

Notes: The approach to [246] comes at Warp Seven and traffic on SR 28 isn't exactly forgiving. Keep a sharp eye as you pass Ponderosa Ranch Rd. This road hasn't been signed in recent years making the approach even trickier. Look for an overly-large parking area to the right of SR 28 as you approach the old Ponderosa Ranch. If coming from the south, the marker will be on your right with ample shoulder parking.

Exact Description:
The scars on the mountain above are the remnants of the "Great Incline of the Sierra Nevada." Completed in 1880, this 4,000-foot long lift was constructed by the Sierra Nevada Wood and Lumber Company. A unique steam-powered cable railway carried cordwood and lumber up 1,800 feet to a V-flume which carried the lumber down to Washoe Valley where it was loaded on wagons for use in the mines of the Comstock. Driven by an engine on the summit, 8,000 continuous feet of wire cable, wrapped around massive bull wheels pulled canted cars up a double track tramline. This engineering feat would transport up to 300 cords a day from the mill located on what is now Mill Creek.

Marker 246 in the Lake Tahoe Basin.

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