Another Nevada mining ghost town, Spruce Mountain,
located in southern Elko County, and has been the scene
of mining activity since 1869.

There are mining camps stretched for over six miles from the west
to east slope of Spruce Mountain. The area has had a fascinating history
and is one of the most intriguing historical sites
in Elko County. After many owners and many years of
on again, off again mining (the mines having produced every year from 1899 to 1952)
they finally folded. There are buildings from the 1890's
struggling to stand next to structures from the 1940's
in various stages of decay, making the situation quite unusual for a ghost town.

At the top of Spruce Mountain at an elevation of over 10,000 ft.
stand the oldest know tree species in the world, the Bristlecone Pine.

The bristlecone pine only lives in scattered, arid mountain regions ...
in exposed, windswept, harsh environment.
The average age is 1,000 years, with only some trees over 4,000 years.
These trees put more energy into surviving then growing big,
the tallest being only 60 feet but usually less than that.
They have an incredible living spirit ... amazing to see and to be amongst.