Welcome to the Great Incline of the Sierra Nevada
(elevation 6317')
Nevada State Historical Marker No. 246
Keep an eye out, as this is one of those State Historical Markers that you may have driven right by several times without ever realizing it's even there. This area has seen a lot of change over recent years... and development continues to this day. While there is significant construction along Ponderosa Ranch road, you can still access this historical marker pretty easily. It's standing right next to the bus stop, with pay parking immediately next to it (but if you're quick about it, you can grab the cache and be on your way before needing to feed the meter). You can find the "Tunnel Ceek Station" cache nearby and snap a photo for the Virtual Ponderosa Ranch Relic cache before you wander on down for some Nevada state history!
Marker Text:
Located on the mountain above are the remnants of the "Great Incline of the Sierra Nevada." Completed in 1880, this 4,000 foot long lift was constructed by the Sierra Nevada Wood and Lumber Company. A unique steam-powered cable railway carried cordwood and lumber up 1,800 feet to a V flume which carried the lumber down to Washoe Valley where it was loaded on wagons for use in the mines of the Comstock. Driven by an engine on the summit, 8,000 continuous feet of wire cable, wrapped around massive bull wheels pulled canted cars up a double track tramline. This engineering feat would transport up to 300 cords a day from the mill located in what is now Mill Creek.