Just northwest of Verdi is the most amazing (and easily accessible) crystal mine. We ventured out last weekend to see what all the hype was about and it was definitely worth seeing! Our son, Hudson is obsessed with crystals so naturally this was the perfect adventure for us.
The mine is right next to Crystal Peak and the ground is completely covered in quartz crystals. During World War II crystals were needed for use in two-way radios. They used dynamite to blast the hillside and bring the crystals to the surface. There were many people with picks, shovels and hammers, but really there are thousands of accessible crystals all over the place, we never had to dig any out. Some were really small and others were huge! I got the big one below for my office!
We had fun picking out our favorites and checking out the 360 degree views.
Accessing the Road: In the winter and spring, it will be difficult to get up the road in the snow or when the snow melt causes the road to wash out. The best time to go is late summer and fall when the roads are dry and smooth. You don’t need an off road vehicle to get there, there were plenty of SUVs, trucks and even a little Corolla up there.
To get there from Verdi: Take Dog Valley Road for about 9 miles, on the left side of the road is a bend in the road. Stay left and you will see a sign for the Crystal Mine. Follow this road up to the parking area at the crystal mine. You won’t miss it, crystals everywhere!
What to bring: You can bring a shovel or pick for fun, but all you need is your hiking boots and a bucket. You can take home a 5 gallon bucket of crystals. They can be heavy, so if you are bringing kids, you should bring a few smaller buckets so they can pick out their own favorite treasures. Pack a lunch because you will want to stay a while. Bring some sunscreen and hats because its literally the top of the mountain and there’s not a lot of coverage on a sunny day.
What to do: Follow the path up the mine to the top of the hill. There is a hiking path that will take you around the mountain and on top where you can see Reno, Cold Springs, and pretty much a 360 degree view of the area. Take some pics and tag #viewsthroughblues!
