Smoke Creek Desert: Difference between revisions

Coordinates: 40°29′21″N 119°43′51″W / 40.4890693°N 119.7307546°W / 40.4890693; -119.7307546
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Removed text about the railroad originally being narrow gauge in the Smoke Creek Desert area. The RR between present day Herlong and Reno was narrow, but never narrow in the Smoke Cr. area.
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{{Short description|Desert in northwestern Nevada}}
{{Geobox|Desert
{{Infobox valley
<!-- *** Heading *** -->
| name = Smoke Creek Desert
| name = Smoke Creek Desert
| native_name =
| other_name =
| photo = Smoke creek desert.jpg
| other_name =
| photo_caption = Smoke Creek Desert
| category =
<!-- *** Image *** -->
<!-- MAP -->
| map = Nevada
| image = Smoke creek desert.jpg
| map_image =
| image_caption = Smoke Creek Desert
| map_caption =
<!-- *** Names **** -->
<!-- Location -->
| official_name =
| etymology =
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| country = United States
| motto =
| state = Nevada
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| district = [[Washoe County, Nevada|Washoe County]]
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| country = United States
| coordinates = {{coord|40.4890693|N|119.7307546|W|display=inline,title}}
| state = Nevada
| region =
| coordinates_ref =
<!-- Statistics -->
| district = [[Washoe County, Nevada|Washoe County]]
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<!-- *** Family *** -->
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<!-- *** Locations *** -->
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| location = 60 Miles /100 Km North of Reno, Nevada Near Calif.-Nev. Border
| area_km2 =
| elevation_imperial = 3852
| depth =
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| lat_d = 40.4890693 | lat_m = | lat_s = | lat_NS = N
| depth_ft =
| long_d = 119.7307546 | long_m = | long_s = | long_EW = W
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<!-- *** River locations *** -->
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<!-- *** Dimensions *** -->
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<!-- *** Population *** -->
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<!-- *** Features *** -->
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<!-- *** Access *** -->
| public = Federal lands (including the lake beds, also known as "Playas") are open to the public with regulatory restrictions. Some private lands are in the region and are closed to the public.
| visitation = | visitation_date =
| access =
| ascent = | ascent_date =
| discovery = | discovery_date =
<!-- *** Codes *** -->
| timezone = [[Pacific Standard Time|Pacific]] | utc_offset = -8
| timezone_DST = [[Pacific Daylight Time|PDT]] | utc_offset_DST = -7
| postal_code =
| area_code =
| code_type=GNIS ID<br>[[Hydrological code|Huc]]
| code = 847489<br>16040203
| code_note=<ref>{{Gnis|847489|Smoke Creek Desert (847489)|accessdate=2008-01-16}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Smoke Creek Desert watershed: 16040203 |url=http://cfpub.epa.gov/surf/huc.cfm?huc_code=16040203 |work=Science in Your Watershed |publisher=[[USGS]].gov |accessdate=2010-05-12}} ([http://cfpub.epa.gov/surf/locate/hucperstate_search.cfm?statepostal=NV EPA List of Huc Codes: Nevada])</ref>
<!-- *** UNESCO etc. *** -->
| whs_name =
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| iucn_category =
<!-- *** Free fields *** -->
| free = | free_type =
<!-- *** Maps *** -->
<!--THE DESERT IS AN AREA, NOT A POINT: | map =Nevada Locator Map.PNG
| map_caption = location of Smoke Creek Desert in [[Nevada]]
| map_background =
| map_locator = Nevada-->
<!-- *** Websites *** -->
| commons =
| statistics =
| website =
<!-- *** Footnotes *** -->
| footnotes =
}}
}}
The '''Smoke Creek Desert''' is an arid region of northwestern [[Nevada]], USA that lies about {{convert|60|mi|km}} to the north of [[Pyramid Lake (Nevada)|Pyramid Lake]], west of the [[Fox Range]] and east of the [[Smoke Creek Mountains]]. The southern end of the desert lies on the [[Pyramid Lake Indian Reservation]], and a rail line lies at the eastern edge. The Smoke Creek Desert is southwest of the [[Black Rock Desert]]'s South Playa and is between the [[Granite Range (Washoe County)|Granite Range]] and the Fox Range.
The '''Smoke Creek Desert''' is an arid region of northwestern [[Nevada]], that lies about {{convert|60|mi|km}} to the north of [[Pyramid Lake (Nevada)|Pyramid Lake]], west of the [[Fox Range]] and east of the [[Smoke Creek Mountains]]. The southern end of the desert lies on the [[Pyramid Lake Indian Reservation]], and a rail line lies at the eastern edge. The Smoke Creek Desert is southwest of the [[Black Rock Desert]]'s South Playa and is between the [[Granite Range (Washoe County)|Granite Range]] and the [[Fox Range]].


==Naming history==
==Naming history==
The original Smoke Creek Desert is shown on [[John Charles Frémont]]'s map of the area during his [[John C. Frémont#Second expedition (1843–1844)|1843-44 expedition]] as a lake west of "Mud Lake", which was an early name for the Black Rock Desert.<ref>{{cite map
The original Smoke Creek Desert is shown on Col. Fremont's map of the area during his 1843-44 expedition as 'Mud Flats' (and is confusing as the Black Rock Desert was originally shown as the same lake, and the Black Rock Desert has been subsequently, on various maps, shown as "Mud Lake", "Valley of Mud" or "Valley of the Mud Lakes" on maps of the 1850s and 1860s.) The Smoke Creek Desert appeared on maps as "Mud Lake" up through maps as late as the 1920s though by that time its name had been standardized as "The Smoke Creek Desert". The other major name for the desert which has been shown on many maps starting in the early 1850s is "Alaki Lake". This is also the first found map reference on which the name "Smoke Creek Desert" appears, though Helen S. Carlson states that it has been found on a map from 1853.<ref>Carlson, Helen S., Nevada Place Names: A Geographical Dictionary, University of Nevada Press, January 1, 1974</ref>
| url = https://www.davidrumsey.com/luna/servlet/detail/RUMSEY~8~1~1818~170044

| title = Map Of An Exploring Expedition To The Rocky Mountains
A sister basin of the Smoke Creek area complex of basins and ranges, [[Winnemucca Lake]] (also known as Lake Winnemucca), now a dry alkali flat, is first shown on an 1850 map<ref>http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/map_item.pl A map illustrative of the route of the proposed railroad : from St. Louis to the Bay of San Francisco / compiled from the maps and reports of Coln. Fremont, by W. L. Dearborn, Civil Engineer. </ref> as filled with either mud or water and continues up through maps of the 1890s<ref>1893 Indexed county and township pocket map and shippers guide of Nevada, accompanied by a new and original compilation and ready reference index, showing in detail the entire railroad network http://www.loc.gov/item/98688513</ref> and by the early 1900s no longer appears as filled, but as simply another alkali basin.
| last = Frémont
| first = John. C
| author-link = John Charles Frémont
| date = 1845
| access-date = 2018-11-02
}}</ref> The Smoke Creek Desert appeared on maps as "Mud Lake" up through maps as late as the 1920s though by that time its name had been standardized as "The Smoke Creek Desert". The other major name for the desert which has been shown on many maps starting in the early 1850s is "Alkali Lake".<ref>{{cite map
| url = https://www.loc.gov/item/98688450/
| title = New commercial and topographical rail road map & guide of California and Nevada
| author = Asher & Adams
| date = 1874
| access-date = 2018-11-02}}</ref>
Helen S. Carlson states that the name "Smoke Creek" has been found on a map from 1854.<ref>{{cite book
| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=BixwbIM7ZvAC&q=%22smoke+creek%22&pg=PA219
| title = Nevada Place Names: A Geographical Dictionary
| last = Carlson
| first = Helen S.
| publisher = [[University of Nevada Press]]
| date = 1974-01-01
| page = 219
| isbn = 9780874170948
| access-date = 2018-11-02
}}</ref>


There is controversy as to the origin of the name "Smoke Creek". Some believe it to be named after the Smoke Creek, a creek which lies along the Western edge of the basin and flows Eastward from near the California-Nevada border into the Smoke Creek basin. It was along this route that the Lassen and Nobels Trails were explored from the Honey Lake Valley (Susanville, California area) Eastward, eventually following along the Smoke Creek to the basin now called "Smoke Creek Desert". Other history says that it was named variously for the appearance of the basin to fill in the colder months with steam from the hot springs, or show columns of 'smoke' (water vapor) from the individual hot springs as they rose into the cold clear air of the valley. Alternately it is said that the name comes from the dust and 'dust devils' which the wind would pick up during the hot summer months and make the basin appear as though it was filled with 'smoke'.
There is controversy as to the origin of the name "Smoke Creek". Some believe it to be named after the Smoke Creek, a creek which lies along the Western edge of the basin and flows Eastward from near the California-Nevada border into the Smoke Creek basin. It was along this route that the Lassen and Nobels Trails were explored from the Honey Lake Valley (Susanville, California area) Eastward, eventually following along the Smoke Creek to the basin now called "Smoke Creek Desert". Other history says that it was named variously for the appearance of the basin to fill in the colder months with steam from the hot springs, or show columns of 'smoke' (water vapor) from the individual hot springs as they rose into the cold clear air of the valley. Alternately it is said that the name comes from the dust and 'dust devils' which the wind would pick up during the hot summer months and make the basin appear as though it was filled with 'smoke'.


==Railroad==
==Railroad==
The Railroad line on the eastern edge was originally shown on a map of 1876[5]{{cn|date=December 2011}} as being on the right of way of the Southern Pacific Railroad, though on an 1877[6]{{cn|date=December 2011}} map is shown as being constructed by the Western Pacific Railroad Company.
The Railroad line on the eastern edge was originally shown on a map of 1876[5]{{citation needed|date=December 2011}} as being on the right of way of the Southern Pacific Railroad, though on an 1877[6]{{citation needed|date=December 2011}} map is shown as being constructed by the Western Pacific Railroad Company.


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


== External links ==
== External links ==
*[http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2006/1176/ Geophysical Investigations of the Smoke Creek Desert and their Geologic Implications, Northwest Nevada and Northeast California], [[United States Geological Survey|USGS]], 2006
*[http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2006/1176/ Geophysical Investigations of the Smoke Creek Desert and their Geologic Implications, Northwest Nevada and Northeast California], [[United States Geological Survey|USGS]], 2006
*[http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2006/1197/ Gravity, Magnetic, and Physical Property Data in the Smoke Creek Desert Area, Northwest Nevada], [[United States Geological Survey|USGS]], 2006
*[http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2006/1197/ Gravity, Magnetic, and Physical Property Data in the Smoke Creek Desert Area, Northwest Nevada], [[United States Geological Survey|USGS]], 2006
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20080314134331/http://www.canvocta.org/routes/route_NoblesTrail.html Nobles Trail], California-Nevada chapter of the [[Oregon-California Trails Association]]
*[http://www.nbmg.unr.edu/geothermal/site.php?sid=smoke%20creek%20desert Smoke Creek Desert], Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology, [[University of Nevada, Reno]], 2005
*[http://www.canvocta.org/routes/route_NoblesTrail.html Nobles Trail], California-Nevada chapter of the [[Oregon-California Trails Association]]


{{Black Rock Desert|state=}}<!--is listed in this footer-->
{{Black Rock Desert|state=}}<!--is listed in this footer-->
{{Deserts}}
{{Deserts}}
{{Authority control}}


[[Category:Deserts of Nevada]]
[[Category:Deserts of Nevada]]

Latest revision as of 09:15, 9 July 2022

Smoke Creek Desert
Smoke Creek Desert
Smoke Creek Desert is located in Nevada
Smoke Creek Desert
Smoke Creek Desert
Floor elevation3,852 ft (1,174 m)
Geography
CountryUnited States
StateNevada
DistrictWashoe County
Coordinates40°29′21″N 119°43′51″W / 40.4890693°N 119.7307546°W / 40.4890693; -119.7307546 

The Smoke Creek Desert is an arid region of northwestern Nevada, that lies about 60 miles (97 km) to the north of Pyramid Lake, west of the Fox Range and east of the Smoke Creek Mountains. The southern end of the desert lies on the Pyramid Lake Indian Reservation, and a rail line lies at the eastern edge. The Smoke Creek Desert is southwest of the Black Rock Desert's South Playa and is between the Granite Range and the Fox Range.

Naming history[edit]

The original Smoke Creek Desert is shown on John Charles Frémont's map of the area during his 1843-44 expedition as a lake west of "Mud Lake", which was an early name for the Black Rock Desert.[1] The Smoke Creek Desert appeared on maps as "Mud Lake" up through maps as late as the 1920s though by that time its name had been standardized as "The Smoke Creek Desert". The other major name for the desert which has been shown on many maps starting in the early 1850s is "Alkali Lake".[2] Helen S. Carlson states that the name "Smoke Creek" has been found on a map from 1854.[3]

There is controversy as to the origin of the name "Smoke Creek". Some believe it to be named after the Smoke Creek, a creek which lies along the Western edge of the basin and flows Eastward from near the California-Nevada border into the Smoke Creek basin. It was along this route that the Lassen and Nobels Trails were explored from the Honey Lake Valley (Susanville, California area) Eastward, eventually following along the Smoke Creek to the basin now called "Smoke Creek Desert". Other history says that it was named variously for the appearance of the basin to fill in the colder months with steam from the hot springs, or show columns of 'smoke' (water vapor) from the individual hot springs as they rose into the cold clear air of the valley. Alternately it is said that the name comes from the dust and 'dust devils' which the wind would pick up during the hot summer months and make the basin appear as though it was filled with 'smoke'.

Railroad[edit]

The Railroad line on the eastern edge was originally shown on a map of 1876[5][citation needed] as being on the right of way of the Southern Pacific Railroad, though on an 1877[6][citation needed] map is shown as being constructed by the Western Pacific Railroad Company.

References[edit]

  1. ^ Frémont, John. C (1845). Map Of An Exploring Expedition To The Rocky Mountains (Map). Retrieved 2018-11-02.
  2. ^ Asher & Adams (1874). New commercial and topographical rail road map & guide of California and Nevada (Map). Retrieved 2018-11-02.
  3. ^ Carlson, Helen S. (1974-01-01). Nevada Place Names: A Geographical Dictionary. University of Nevada Press. p. 219. ISBN 9780874170948. Retrieved 2018-11-02.

External links[edit]

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Smoke_Creek_Desert&oldid=1097204033"