Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park
Ham Radio Trips 1964-1997

Introduction - The Berlin Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park is in Central Nevada, 300 miles from Sacramento. Besides the fossil and mining camp exhibits in the Park, the area has interesting ghost towns and back road trips. We have been there a number of times. People always ask for another trip when we stay away. - Les, W6TEE
My photo of 1985 Ranger tour of Berlin (road in is in the background).

Trip History - The Ichthyosaur Paleontologic State Monument, as it was known then, was first scouted by Jay, W6GO, and me for the Radio Amateur Mobile Society (RAMS) in February, 1964. Harold Newman was the Park ranger then. We showed up at his cabin in Berlin at 8 AM on a Saturday. He asked us, "Are you guys lost or crazy?" We never decided.
The RAMS had Memorial Day campouts there in 1964, 1965, 1966, 1971, and 1971 1976.
1971 RAMS News Photo by Don Jones, W6ICX - Ghost towners picniking on Grantsville Summit (that's my Scout). 15 mobiles, 51 people went.
The Mt. Vaca Radio Club (MVRC) held Memorial Day campouts at the Ichthyosaur with some of the same Hams in 1985 and 1988. Our most recent Ham Radio campout there was June 6-9, 1997. (See Trip Report)

Park Features - The Berlin Ichthyosaur was declared the Nevada State Fossil in 1977 since skeletons in this park are the only complete ones in the world. They are also the largest. The name was changed to Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park when the mining town of Berlin, including the mill, was taken into the Park.

Berlin Ichthyosaur State Park
HC61 Box 61200
Austin, NV 89310
702 964-2440

My 1966 slide of the fossil bed. >>

Distances and Route - The distance to Fallon, the last complete stop for supplies, is about 200 miles from Sacramento. It is another 100 miles to the park. The route is: I-80 through Reno and Fernley, Alt-50 and Hwy 50 through Fallon, then 42 mi. and right on Hwy 361. Turn left just north of Gabbs at the sign and go 22 miles to the Park. The last few miles are unpaved, but suitable for cars and trailers.

Supplies - Fallon has the last Supermarkets, Raley's and Safeway, and the last choice of gas stations. Gabbs, 22 miles west of camp, has one Chevron station, and limited groceries. Ione, 7 miles north of camp has no-name gasoline and limited groceries.

Campground - There are 14 campsites with no hookups, but there is a dump station. All sites have covered tables, barbeques, and fire pits. Pit toilets are provided, but they are the latest construction and quite acceptable. The elevation is 7000'. The 1997 costs included a $3 entrance fee plus $5 per campsite per night.

http://home.pacbell.net/lcobb/ichsaur.htm
Update: Feb. 14, 1998 - CompuServe: June 18, 1997 - PacBell: July 23, 1997
See homepage for e-mail address.

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