#4: [29-Apr-09]

#3: [25-Sep-04]

#2: [22-Sep-02]

10-May-2001 -- Nevada has the reputation of being an ocean of sagebrush - few people know of the marvelous mountains located throughout the state. Unfortunately this confluence will do nothing to dispel their misconceptions. It is located in the middle of an alkali flat in Diamond Valley, north of the town of Eureka. The Pony Express and Overland Stage route crossed this same flat about 8 miles south of the confluence.

Although I drove in from the northeast, the confluence is more easily accessed from Highway 278 either from the south (Sadler Brown Road) or from the northwest (Union Pass Road). Regardless, drive to a pullout just west of the confluence (40° 00.47'N - 116° 02.29'W) and hike 2 miles east-southeast. The first mile will be sagebrush, the rest will be on the playa surface. For my trip, the last 1/2 mile was actually through several inches of mud, apparently left over from last winter. "Remember, we visit these sites so you won't have to."

The second photograph shows Diamond Valley from its north end - the confluence is out on the playa surface near the right side of the picture. The third photograph shows the 'shoreline' of the dry lake bed. From the confluence, photograph #1 shows Diamond Peak (10,614 ft.), #4 shows Overland Pass, and #5 shows the distant Ruby Mountains.

On the Diamond Valley Alkali Flat.