Rhyolite Burro
Placed by: realroadrunner
Placement date: Apr 17 2004
State: Nevada
County: Nye
Nearest city: Beatty
Number of boxes: 1
Clues
The ghost town of Rhyolite is located approximately 4 miles west of Beatty off of State
Highway 374, the road that leads to Death Valley, California. Rhyolite is about 5 miles east
of the California border. Beatty Nevada is 115 miles north of Las Vegas on Highway 95. I
can't speak for the ghosts, but I do know that burros occassionally make an appearance
along the former main streets of this incredible desert ruin.
At the top of the hill stands the former Tonopah and Tidewater Railroad Depot, and
excellent example of the mission-style depot of its time. From the depot's parking area,
you can either park your car and walk, or continue to drive, east on a gravel road leading
down into the desert.
You will reach a junction of four roads, including the one you are on. If you look south,
this junction is nearly in alignment with a former hill affectionally known locally as the
"Semi-Step Pyramid of Zoser."
Choose the north road, and follow it until it ends in a matter of yards.
Facing north at the end of the road, scan the landscape for a wooden post pointing SW at a
60 degree angle. Walk directly towards this post 70 paces. Look left to a rock cairn with a
very large flat top.
If you are at the correct spot, looking south from this cairn, the Step Pyramid will be on
the left and the Bullfrog Hill will be on the right of a U-shaped vista. Chloride Cliff in the
Amargosa Range in Death Valley National Park will be in the dead center of this vista.
Remove the rocks carefully to reach your objective and be mindful of critters. Please rehide
well.
More info on Rhyolite is available at http://www.rhyolitesite.com/tour.html.
NOTE: Always take adequate precautions (such as prodding with a stick and/or wearing
gloves) before reaching iunder rocks in the wild. Rattlesnakes do inhabit the area, and
particularly during the summer the temperature can reach well over 100 degrees. Be
prepared!
Before you set out, please read the waiver of responsibility and disclaimer.