Welcome to Nevada, the Silver State! At this cattle guard, U.S. 6 leaves the Golden State of California and enters the Silver State of Nevada. From here, U.S. 6 will travel east across Montgomery Pass (elevation 7,167 feet above sea level) to the site of Coaldale, where it meets U.S. 95. After a brief overlap with U.S. 95, U.S. 6 resumes its northeasterly trek from Tonopah toward Ely through some of the loneliest terrain in Nevada. At Ely, U.S. 6 meets U.S. 50 and U.S. 93, then proceeds south and then east to Great Basin State Park and the state of Utah, the Beehive State. Although shorter than U.S. 50, U.S. 6 will match U.S. 50 in isolation. Only a few settlements can be found along its journey across the Silver State. Bring supplies on your journey. Photo taken 01/20/02.
Eastbound U.S. 6 at the California-Nevada State Line overview of welcome sign, state line signage, zero milepost, and cattle guard. Photo taken 01/20/02.
Zero Milepost for U.S. 6 at the California-Nevada State Line. Photo taken 01/20/02.
U.S. 6 is designated as the Grand Army of the Republic Highway. Originating in California, shields for the route are posted along California 14, U.S. 395, and U.S. 6. The designation continues as U.S. 6 turns northeast to cross Nevada. Occasional signs such as this one are posted along U.S. 6 on its journey across the Silver State. Photo taken 8/98.
All trucks carrying hazardous materials much register with the Nevada Department of Transportation as posted on this entry sign. Photo taken 08/98.
The first mileage sign on eastbound U.S. 6 provides the distance to Coaldale Junction (34 miles), Tonopah (75 miles), and Ely (245 miles). It is a long drive across the state of Nevada! Photo taken 08/98.
Both Nevada and California use mileposts (also called postmiles) similar to this, with a white paddle that denotes the route number, county of travel, and mileage from the western or southern border (or origination point). Green mileposts in Nevada can only be found on the Interstate Highways and freeways, not on U.S. 6 and other two-lane rural highways. Photo taken 08/98.
A Welcome to Nevada sign is posted on eastbound U.S. 6. Photo taken 08/98.
A tourist sign "Welcome to Pioneer Territory" refers to the division of the Silver State into multiple regions for tourists to visit. Much of Central Nevada falls into Pioneer Territory. Photo taken 08/98.
The speed limit on U.S. 6 is 65 miles per hour, which is common for the two-lane, rural highways such as U.S. 6. Photo taken 08/98.
This is the first shield on eastbound U.S. 6. It is the first to use the familiar white on black square shield, since California uses cut-out U.S. shields. Photo taken 08/98.
A bit further east after the state line, U.S. 6 east approaches a pullout just east of the California State Line. This pullout (which is really a wide spot in the road) provides outstanding views of Boundary Peak, which straddles the state line of Nevada and California. It is one of the tallest peaks of the Eastern Sierra. Photo taken 01/20/02.
Soon thereafter, U.S. 6 ascends Montgomery Pass. Photo taken 01/20/02.
At Montgomery Pass, a small settlement is open sporadically if at all. This high point is 7,167 feet above sea level. Photo taken 01/20/02.
Upon reaching the top of the pass is this Montgomery Pass sign. Photo taken 01/20/02.
Eastbound U.S. 6 leaves Inyo National Forest as it descends from Montgomery Pass. Photo taken 01/20/02.
This old alignment of U.S. 6 on eastern slope can be seen on the descent from Montgomery Pass. Various incarnations of the original U.S. 6 are visible on both sides of U.S. 6 as it ascends and descends Montgomery Pass. Some older culverts are visible. The old alignment was generally bypassed to take the curves out of the routing. Photo taken 01/20/02.
Eastbound U.S. 6 reaches Nevada 360 at this intersection. Use Nevada 360 north to U.S. 95 near Mina and Hawthorne. This turn off also connects to Nevada 361 north to U.S. 50 at Middlegate. Photos taken 01/20/02.
This view shows U.S. 6 east after its intersection with Nevada 360. Photo taken 01/20/02.
After the Nevada 264 intersection (not shown), eastbound U.S. 6 approaches Nevada 773 southbound, which leads to Fishlake Valley and Dyer. Photos taken 01/20/02.
In the progression of signs for the Nevada 773 intersection, the first sign is the Nevada 773 junction shield, while the second sign is the guide sign for Fishlake Valley and Dyer. Photo taken 01/20/02.
Now looking east on U.S. 6 at the Nevada 773 intersection. Photo taken 01/20/02.
Continuing east, U.S. 6 eventually approaches its junction with U.S. 95 at Coaldale Junction, one-half mile. While there used to be civilization at this intersection, the remaining buildings are abandoned, having fallen into disrepair. Photo taken 01/20/02.
At U.S. 95, this sign advises of the control cities for U.S. 6 and U.S. 95. Continue east on U.S. 6-95 to Tonopah, Las Vegas, and Ely; turn north on U.S. 95 to Hawthorne and Reno. Photo taken 01/20/02.
Trailblazer shields for U.S. 6 and U.S. 95 are posted here at Coaldale. Photo taken 01/20/02.
U.S. 6 east and U.S. 95 south
Eastbound U.S. 6 and Southbound U.S. 95 at Junction Nevada 265 southbound. Photo taken 01/20/02.
Scene along Eastbound U.S. 6 and Southbound U.S. 95. Photo taken 01/20/02.
Soon before reaching Tonopah, U.S. 6 east and U.S. 95 south enter Nye County and leave Esmeralda County. Photo taken 01/20/02.
Eastbound U.S. 6 and Southbound U.S. 95 through downtown Tonopah, the Queen of the Silver Camps. Sitting at an elevation of 6,020 feet above sea level, Tonopah is unincorporated but was founded in 1900 and is the seat of Nye County. As of the 2000 Census, the population was 2,627 people and the town contains 16.2 square miles. Photo taken 01/20/02.
The two federal routes divide in Tonopah. U.S. 95 turns south toward Goldfield, Beatty, and Las Vegas, while U.S. 6 begins its lonely journey toward Ely and the Great Basin National Park in eastern Nevada. Austin is located on U.S. 50, but it can be reached from U.S. 6 via Nevada 376 northbound. Photo taken 01/20/02.
Trailblazer shields are posted for U.S. 6 east to Ely and U.S. 95 south to Las Vegas. Photo taken 01/20/02.
At the left turn for the continuation of U.S. 6 is this guide sign. Photo taken 01/20/02.
