Directions: Highway 50E from Fallon 47 miles to Middlegate and the junction of Highway 361; Turn S on SR361 for 29.9 miles to the junction of SR361 and SR844; take SR 844 east 16.7 miles, then north for 7.2 miles to Ione; take SR21 over Ione summit for 8.1 miles; take Indian Highway and local forest development roads generally SE (follow signs) for 13.7 miles.

From Fallon: 122.6 miles

What Was

Ophir became a going concern way back in 1863, when silver was first discovered in the area. More discoveries the next year led to the construction of a huge mill, and road improvements into the area. In three years there were over 400 people living in the area. The town had its ups and downs, becoming almost deserted in 1867 when a mining company pulled out, but mining continued in the area of and on until the 1930's.

Post Office: June 18, 1867 to December 5, 1893

Newspaper: None

What is

As you can tell from the directions, we made the trip to Ophir longer than it had to be, mainly because we needed to shake off the grime of the city and ride. And ride we did, covering about fifty miles that day. The weather cooperated for the most part, and we enjoyed a brief but refreshing shower, while a lightning storm pounded the canyon to the north of us. Unfortunately for us, bow-hunting season opened that day, as we were informed by a friendly game warden, and we saw many hunters stalking their elusive quarry- frightened away, no doubt, by a couple of idiots riding their quads. But hey, the documentation of historic sites knows no holiday! Anyway, we felt safer than we would have if it had been regular deer-hunting season. We crested a 10,000 foot pass, quads panting, to look down on Ophir Creek Canyon and the Murphy Mine. Situated in a breathtakingly deep canyon, the site of Ophir contains some remarkable ruins, mostly constructed out of the native rock found in the area. There is plenty to see in the area, roads everywhere, and a mill site and cemetery at the mouth of the canyon; we never did make it any further. You're in quaking aspen country (at least, you are if you came the way we did) and there are lots of initials carved into the trees. While the road is not bad, you'd be more comfortable with a high clearance vehicle, as you cross the creek several times and there are some rocky stretches. Coming back that night as we crossed the Ione Valley heading towards Gabbs, we were surround by thunderstorms, and the lightning seemed to strike around us like hundreds of angry scorpions. Very cool.