< Left Panel   Nevada Summits and Passes   Areas   Tables   Maps   All Favorites  
Main Panel:   Main Page   Map+Profile   Nevada Map  



Austin Summit

From a distance (like a vantage point below Pete's Summit) the Toiyabe Range look like a huge hull of a boat upside down. It seems like they would be the biggest obstacle that US50 has to overcome on its way west, before crossing the Carson Range to Lake Tahoe. And even if it's not the highest point on that stretch of road (that would be Robinson Pass), if you add both approach heights together, by this measure - this climb is the biggest.

But statistics aside, the road still picks the gentlest crossing it can find and real impressions of the Toiyabe Range are limited.


1.(5730ft,mile00.0)START-END WEST ALT: jct US50 - Old Overland Road
2.(5880ft,mile05.5)jct US50 - Nv722, west of Austin
3.(6030ft,mile06.7)jct with Big Creek Rd on left, access to Toiyabe Range summits
4.(6590ft,mile08.6)START-END WEST: center of Austin
5.(7484ft,mile11.5)TOP: Austin Summit and jct with roads to Emigrant Pass and Austin Crest Trail
6.(6840ft,mile14.0)Grass Valley Rd takes off on left
7.(7267ft,mile15.2)Bob Scott Summit
8.(6070ft,mile20.2)START-END EAST ALT: jct with Nv376 on left
9.(5740ft,mile25.2)START-END EAST: slight curve in US50, marking southernmost point in valley


Approaches

From West. Austin is where the curves on US50 start, when leaving the expanse of dessert that is labeled Reese River Valley on the map. But Austin is not located where the climb starts. Several hundred feet are involved in climbing the alluvial fan below the town.

Austin inhabitants seem to have accumulated a lot of junk since the time this was a silver rush town. Today it looks more like a auto junkyard with a few buildings lining main street. But living in isolation like this, and considering the prices one has to pay to buy anything whatsoever, this is just smart thinking. But the buildings of Austin are even older than the oldest, rustiest, most banged up, deadest cars in town. Billboards on the outskirts of town make it sound like one is approaching a tourist attraction. I guess it's all in the marketing. The old historic city hall does have a small pamphlet with several mountain biking trail rides. As far as stores and groceries are concerned, there are two gas stations competing in who can charge more for gallons of gas and milk.

Leaving the junkyard behind, the road climbs into bare green hills and gains the top of this summit with two or three switchbacks. On top dirt roads in both directions are amongst the mountain biking routes, suggested by the official pamphlet.


US50 through Big Smoky Valley down below

From East. (described downwards) A short descent leads to a high valley with flat topped mountains in the background. Then another short climb leads to what is labeled "Bob Scott's Summit" on state maps. Unlike all the other official US50 summits, this one has no name sign. But it does have an oversized parking lot and a historical marker on top. Bob Scotts Campground, immediately after the top, has water and charges 10 dollars a night.

The remaining descent goes through plenty of open trees, until the dessert scape of Big Smoky Valley makes it appearance as backdrop. The view of this massive valley, lined with the rounded triangles of the Toiyabe Range on one one side, and the Toquima Range receding into a wooded plateau on the other side, to me is more impressive than the pass itself. Unfortunately, during the time of year I was here, it was also much hotter and less comfortable. Again the bike keeps on rolling well into the valley, when the mountains have already become a distant sight.

 
Bob Scott Summit on way to Austin Summit

Dayride with this point as highest summit:

COMPLETELY PAVED:

( < Carroll SummitFR489 Simpson Park Mtns s(u) > )

Austin Summit x2 , Bob Scott Summit x2 : campground on Bob Scott Summit > US50 east > out and back on Grass Valley Rd << turnaround point after ~5+1/2miles after surface has deteriorated to mostly dirt >> Austin Summit <> Austin <> out and back on Nv305 north << turnaround point after ~12miles at 5690ft <> out and back on Big Creek Rd towards Big Creek campground << turnaround point end of paVement after a few miles >> Austin > Austin Summit > Bob Scott Summit <> separate out and back on US50 east with turnaround point ~500ft below summit : 60.1miles with 4320ft of climbing in 5:37hrs (garmin etrex32 r4:23.5.23).
Notes: delightfully cool day in late May with lots of paved out and backs

A Dayride with this point as intermediate summit is on page: FR002 Toiyabe Range s(u)

    
Austin down below from east side

    
the old cemetery west of town makes a nice picnic spot, provided you have carry something to eat from far places (no grocery store here).






advertisement

advertisement