Loving, New Mexico: Project Gnome Atomic Explosion Site
The most accessible atomic explosion site in the U.S., but you still should plan ahead before you drive to it. On December 10, 1961, a three-kiloton bomb was exploded only 1,200 feet below the surface.
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You know that you are on a true Roadside America adventure when the dirt road that you are bumping along is not on your GPS road navigation map and there is no cellphone signal. However, the Roadside America directions to the Gnome site are spot on, and the GPS location provided by the POI database can be used to verify that you are getting closer to the site. The site is interesting if you like to visit a place that is 30 miles from the middle of nowhere. The dirt access roads are rough but passable with a passenger car.
The two bullet holes in the plaque add a special wild west cachet.
[Wm Breiland, 02/25/2014][Previous 5 items] Page of 2
Project Gnome Atomic Explosion Site
- Address:
- Mobley Ranch Rd, Loving, NM
- Directions:
- From Carlsbad, drive southeast on US Hwy 285. Before reaching Loving, turn east on Hwy 31/Potash Mines Rd. After around seven miles, turn right (east) on Hwy 128. Drive for a little over seven miles, then turn right onto CR-795/Mobley Ranch Rd. After a half-mile, CR-795/Mobley Ranch Rd forks to the right. Ignore it and continue straight ahead. After 4.5 miles a small dirt road appears on the left. Turn and drive east to the marker. NOTE: There are several side roads that are not the right route. The top of the concrete monument is just visible from the access road before you turn left on a much smaller path that goes 250 yards due east directly to the site.
- RA Rates:
- Worth a Detour
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Bang, bang, I'm more powerful than an atom bomb, derp. Reminds us of another bullet-riddled monument in the desert Southwest.