Smoke Creek Desert facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Smoke Creek Desert |
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Smoke Creek Desert
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 Smoke Creek Desert
Location in Nevada
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| Floor elevation | 3,852 ft (1,174 m) |
| Geography | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Nevada |
| District | Washoe County |
The Smoke Creek Desert is a very dry area in northwestern Nevada, USA. It's about 60 miles (97 km) north of Pyramid Lake. You can find it west of the Fox Range and east of the Smoke Creek Mountains.
The southern part of this desert is on the Pyramid Lake Indian Reservation. A train track runs along its eastern edge. The Smoke Creek Desert is also southwest of the Black Rock Desert's South Playa. It sits between the Granite Range and the Fox Range.
What's in a Name?
The Smoke Creek Desert first appeared on maps made by John Charles Frémont. He explored the area in 1843-44. On his map, it was shown as a lake west of "Mud Lake." "Mud Lake" was an early name for the Black Rock Desert.
Even up to the 1920s, some maps still called the Smoke Creek Desert "Mud Lake." But by then, its official name had become "The Smoke Creek Desert." Another common name for the desert on maps since the 1850s was "Alkali Lake."
Helen S. Carlson, a historian, says that the name "Smoke Creek" was found on a map from 1854.
Why is it Called "Smoke Creek"?
There are different ideas about how "Smoke Creek" got its name.
- Some people think it's named after a real creek called Smoke Creek. This creek flows from near the California-Nevada border into the desert basin. Early explorers followed this creek.
- Other stories say the name comes from how the desert looks in cold weather. Steam from hot springs would rise into the cold air. This steam looked like columns of smoke.
- Another idea is that the name comes from the hot summer months. Strong winds would pick up dust and create "dust devils." These dust clouds made the basin look like it was filled with smoke.
Trains in the Desert
A railroad line runs along the eastern edge of the Smoke Creek Desert. An 1876 map showed this line as part of the Southern Pacific Railroad. However, a map from 1877 showed it being built by the Western Pacific Railroad Company.
