The Great Incline of the Sierra Nevada

"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 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." -- August 2007

Along SR 28 at the Bonanza Parking lot -- Incline Village

Reno & Washoe County
39.236750, -119.928970

Original Date Visited: 8/24/07
Revisited: 3/12/23
Signed: No

Street View

Sundown at Marker 246 If your legs can handle it, you can actually hike to that huge slash on the mountainside and the remains of the bull wheel and lumber lift. With the addition of this parking lot, Marker 246 no longer suffers from this obscuring tree The original Bull Wheel

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 before its renovation. Being able to stop here and view the marker in the busy summer months will be challenge!

Evolution of the Flume System!

Moving Water: Mountains to Virginia City

COVERED IN MY US 50 ROAD TRIP

Next Marker

SITE OF NEVADA'S FIRST PUBLIC LIBRARY

Related Links & Markers:

- 221 - Sand Harbor - 225 - Spooner Area ... Great Incline Bull Wheel (Trail information) Spooner Lake State Park - Marlette Backcountry (Nevada State Parks) Marlette Lake Trail (All Trails) Timber for the Comstock PDF (Forest History)

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