Sperry Wash, Saratoga Spring & Ibex Spring

By Denis & Sandi Inman

After leaving Lakeside Casino at 7:00 AM, we crossed the dry lake and took Old Spanish Trail to Mesquite Valley Road. In the vicinity of Donna Loy Talc Mine, our trio of Jeep Wranglers turned South towards the Kingston Wilderness, around the Alexander Hills to an overlook above Alexander Mine. We then proceeded to Acme Mine for some more exploring. It wasn’t long before we were headed down Sperry Wash towards Dumont Dunes. The Amargosa River is above ground in a number of segments of the wash and we made a half dozen or so river crossings.

From Dumont Dunes, we drove highway 127 South, approximately 5 miles to Saratoga Springs Road. Our group, consisting of Sherrie & Kramer, Jeremy & Vic along with me, had lunch at Saratoga Springs. Kramer enjoyed his meal, but was anxious to get back into his Jeep and continue exploring. Superior Mine is closed to motorized travel, so we continued on to Ibex Spring Road and took it to Moorehouse Mine at the end of the trail. On our return trip, we stopped at the collection of buildings at Ibex Spring, then continued North to Pleasanton Mine and Monarch Mine.

Just South of Ibex Pass, we were once again on the highway, headed North to Old Spanish Trail that took us into Tecopa. Jeremy had never been to the China Date Ranch and Vic offered to buy us all date Shakes, so we took a side trip to the ranch that is only about 2.5 miles from the route we were on earlier in the day. The trouble is, you can’t get there from here. Once we had completed our tour and our shakes, the group proceeded East on Furnace Creek Road and eventually arrived back in Pahrump at just before 4:00. It was a enjoyable day of off roading, and I think everyone had a pleasant time.