From the journey

The story of Winnemucca

Winnemucca sits in northern Nevada’s broad Great Basin, surrounded by open desert, distant mountains and the Humboldt River. Established along the transcontinental railroad, the town developed into an important stopping point for travelers, ranchers and miners crossing Nevada. Its downtown still reflects that Western crossroads character, with older storefronts, casinos and reminders of its railroad heritage. Winnemucca is also known for its Basque community, buckaroo traditions and generous family-style Basque meals—an appropriate first overnight as Bench 73 begins its journey east.