John Collett

Ruby Crest Trail Shuttle Service

June 16, 2019 By John Collett

Ruby Crest Trail Shuttle Service: You can do this hike without a shuttle, but many I’ve dropped at either Harrison Pass or the turnaround at Thomas Canyon Road’s End, later told me they’d met folks who were hiking both ways: from their car, over 5 passes to Overland Lake, and then back to the car. Those folks said they weren’t looking forward AT ALL to the grueling hike back to the car (5 passes again)! The shuttle makes it a better trip.

I will shuttle you to either Road’s End in Thomas Canyon or Harrison Pass. I recommend Harrison Pass because it’s safer to leave your car at Road’s End at the top of Thomas Canyon. Either way this hike is a strenuous one with a lot of altitude change. You’ll be either going up or going back down much of the way!

Click here for more info or or call us at: 775-753-7825.

Mormon Pioneer National Heritage Area – Discovery Road – ANHA Tour

March 3, 2018 By John Collett

Mid 2017 Cowboy John toured the crew of Discovery Road, Utah along the California Trail as they documented the journey of 1880s gold seekers heading to California. At Mound Valley one-room schoolhouse in Lee, Nevada, James Nelson and the crew treated the children to a drone flight over the school before they left to film [read more…]

Shoshone Style Weaving at the California Trail Interpretive Center

June 14, 2016 By John Collett

Leah Brady and sister Lois Whitney, Shoshone Indians living in Elko, are integral partners of the California Trail Interpretive Center. Leah and Lois’ Mother Elizabeth Brady (…White-Knife band), and father Webb (Pine-eater band) taught the girls Shoshone arts and survival. Mary Hall (Ft. Hall, Idaho?) the girls’ grandmother and her daughter Eva Piffero and other [read more…]

Cowboy John Ranch Tour 2016 Photo Tour

February 22, 2016 By John Collett

Rode the bus, CoachUSA, north from Elko, Nevada to Robin and Steve Boies Ranch. The two of them along with Agee Smith of Cottonwood Guest Ranch, and BLM Range management Specialist Jeff Moore talked about the progressive philosophy Holistic Management which has guided the ranches and other ranchers part of their management system to protect [read more…]

Cowboy Poetry Gathering 18 years ago!

January 15, 2016 By John Collett

Back in 1998 there was no Ranch Tour during Elko’s Cowboy Poetry Gathering, so John would offer to take media and other folks he ran into to visit ranches and see Elko’s scenery. In 1998 special guests at the Gathering were drovers and historians from Scotland and Ireland. Some of those were the folks above in [read more…]

Glaser Ranch Cattle Round Up

November 3, 2015 By John Collett

I once again became truly “Cowboy” John in late October of this year when Peter called asking for help at the Glaser ranch, east of Elko. Glasers’ cattle had been on the range from spring through early fall and it was shipping time so Peter called. The cattle were rounded up by me and two [read more…]

CTIC Board Members Camping at Gravelly Ford

October 28, 2015 By John Collett

Members of the Board of the California Trail Interpretive Center who camped at Gravelly Ford October 3-4, 2015 are shown here above the fenced graveyard of unknown emigrants at Gravelly Ford near present-day trail marker C-44 on the Horseshoe Ranch. The group enjoyed Dutch oven meals, conversation, and relaxation in Nevada’s open spaces during the [read more…]

Cowboy John Tour With Katelyn and Kendall

October 4, 2015 By John Collett

Sunday, October 4, I met Katelyn and Kendall Christensen at the Mariott Hotel for a tour of Elko. After Dr. Christensen finished meeting with the hospital, the Northeastern Nevada Regional Medical Center, the three checked out the black-box show at the Western Folklife Center, were captivated by the California Trail Interpretive Center before driving out [read more…]

Step On Guide For Patty’s Tours September 2015

September 26, 2015 By John Collett

Friday night 50 seniors from Patty’s Tours bus enjoyed a spectacular Balloon Glow in the city park with eight balloons from the U.S. and one from Switzerland glowing in the evening twilight. The grassy park area across from City offices was packed with balloons and excited towns-peoples as the balloons were lit one by one [read more…]

Liberty Lake in Nevada’s Ruby Mountains, Sept 20, 2015

September 24, 2015 By John Collett

Liberty Lake in Nevada’s Ruby Mountains, Sept 20, 2015, from Liberty Pass, elevation 10,000+ feet. Cloudless azure sky, no wind, warm air, fall approaching. Photo taken by Cowboy John @ www.cowboyjohntours.com Liberty Lake is the opposite end of the Rubies from Harrison Pass, the drop-off point for the Crest Trail hike. There’s good fishing, by [read more…]