I spent several days near Alamo, Nevada, over Christmas in 2024. I had grand plans for big hikes into some remote mountain ranges and wilderness in the area. Unfortunately, I came down with a bad case of COVID-19, and spent most of my visit recuperating. While looking at the map of things to do that wouldn't require much physical effort, I decided to drive out to watch the sunrise at Delamar Dry Lake.

It turned out to be a treat! The sunrise across the hardpan was beautiful! It also turns out there are some fairly extensive petroglyph panels at the dry lake as well. They turned out to be quite a pleasant surprise.

This is a remote outing, and one I would recommend, even if you aren't sick and just looking for something low-effort.

History
Delamar Valley, located in Lincoln County, Nevada, is best known for its connection to the historic Delamar mining district. In the late 19th century, prospectors discovered rich gold deposits in the surrounding mountains, leading to the establishment of the town of Delamar in the 1890s. The town quickly flourished, attracting miners and businesses, and at its peak, it housed around 1,500 residents. However, the mining process used in Delamar generated large amounts of silica dust, which led to widespread cases of a lung disease that ultimately earned the town the nickname "The Widowmaker." Despite the health hazards, mining operations continued until the early 20th century, when ore production declined, and the town was largely abandoned by 1909.

Following the collapse of the mining industry, Delamar Valley became a quiet, remote stretch of Nevada desert, with only scattered ranching activity and occasional visitors exploring the ghost town ruins. While the valley itself remains largely uninhabited, its history as one of Nevada’s many boom-and-bust mining regions serves as a testament to the harsh realities of life in the American West during the gold rush era.

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