Nevada

In late May I drove from Seattle through the backroads of Oregon (and briefly in the northeast corner of California) to the Black Rock desert area of northwest Nevada.

Black Rock Desert

I approached the Black Rock Desert from the northwest on Nevada 34, which is a beautifully remote dirt road. A few examples of petrified wood are protected by elaborate fences.       41.1608, -119.3896 

I had originally planned on spending a few days exploring the Black Rock Desert area, but because of unusually wet weather, much of the playa (dry lake bed) was too muddy for driving. On some summer days there's a BLM visitor information trailer for the Black Rock Desert on the west side of Gerlach, NV.

Fairview Peak

Deciding to return to the Black Rock area later, I continued south, camping in the remote hills east of Fairview Peak, 40 miles east of Fallon, NV along Nevada Route 50.       39.2015, -118.1140 

The next morning I found the steep road up to the communication towers I spotted on the top of Fairview Peak (elevation of about 8200 ft.), and drove up for some amazing panoramic views. Visible in the valley to the west an off-limits US Naval Reservation. Warning signs dotted the west side of the road.       39.2266, -118.1519