This is you’re opportunity to “Ride Back in Time to the Wild West” to the historic Virginia City, home of the great Comstock Lode.
Your adventure begins by traveling a scenic byway through the heart of El Dorado National Forest with panoramic views of the Crystal Range. Your adventure continues over the Sierra Crest and ventures off-road on a remote wagon route that was once traveled by prospectors and prostitutes on their way from the Boomtown of Bodie California to Virginia City, the richest Silver and Gold strike in Nevada.

You will have the opportunity to experience the rugged and remote wilderness of the high desert in the Pine Nut Mountains. If you think the high desert is flat, you’ll be pleasantly surprised. Your off-road adventure will take you through majestic mountains, and rugged canyons to wide open spaces. If you’re lucky, you might even see a heard of antelope racing across the desert or catch a glimpse of the wild mustangs that roam free across the high plains desert of Nevada.
Beyond the Pine Nut Mountains your adventure continues north into the Comstock Lode territory.
The Comstock Lode is a lode of silver ore located under the eastern slope of Mount Davidson, a peak in the Virginia Range in Nevada. The rich Comstock Lode was one of the most important mining discoveries in American History. The Comstock Lode was the first major silver discovery in the United States and virtually ended the California Gold Rush.

Gold was first discovered in the area in the spring of 1850 by Mormon emigrants on their way to the California Gold Rush. After arriving far too early to cross the Sierra Nevada range, they camped on the Carson River in the vicinity of present-day Dayton, to wait for the snow to melt.
While they were waiting, some of the men began to prospect the area a discovered gold in gold Canyon. Even though they found some gold, they crossed the mountains were passable, sure they would discover larger finds at the end of their route. Mining continued in the area, but a camp was not established until the winter and spring of 1852–53, at which time there were about 200 prospectors in the area. Though miners continued to work their way upstream, the amount of gold found at the time wouldn’t result in a huge rush for several years.

Also working in the area was a man named Henry Tompkins Paige Comstock, known familiarly as “Old Pancake.” He had befriended the Grosh brothers, and though they had not shared the location of their find with him, when Comstock heard of Allen’s death, in the spring of 1858, he took possession of their cabin went in search of their claim.

In the spring of 1859, two miners named Peter O’Riley and Patrick McLaughlin, began to work the area around the head of Six-Mile Canyon. By June, they had hit “pay-dirt,” but when Henry Comstock learned of the find, he claimed the men were working on land he had already claimed for “grazing purposes”. Unhappy with his current claim on Gold Hill, Comstock threatened that he would take the claim, but the miners finally agreed to give him an interest in the gold find.
Comstock’s and the others’ claims started the “Rush to Washoe,” and for the next two decades, it would be the dominating event in Nevada history.
Two-Day Ride: (20 rider max)
One Night in Virginia City Nv.
Riders are responsible to book their hotel reservations at,
Recommended Hotels in Viginia City:
*Comstock Lodge (775) 847-0233 or
*Sugarloaf Mountain Motel (775) 847-0551
"Don't forget to mention you're with SNA"
(Hotel NOT included)
Note: Hotel accommodation are limited in the small town of Virginia City so, book your hotel reservations soon.
“Make sure to mention you’re with Sierra Nevada Adventures”.
Ride Details:
This dual sport adventure ride is perfect for medium (650cc) to large (1200cc) dual sport adventure bikes.
Off-road terrain rated "moderate to challenging" with lots of adventure.
Ride distance 400+ miles round trip (75+ miles dirt roads)
Gas stops (125 mile range required)
Day 1 pack a lunch & water
*Breakfast & Dinner at restaurants
(Meals NOT included)
Date: September 15th - 16th, 2018
Meet Time: 9:00 a.m.
Meeting Location: Starbucks Folsom
195 Placerville Road Folsom CA 95630
Ride returns to Folsom CA (approx 5pm Sunday)
Questions email: mark@SierraNevadaAdventures.com