SIERRA NEVADA TOWN A HIGH POINT OF TOUR.(TRAVEL)

Byline: William M. Dowd -

VIRGINIA CITY, Nev. -- Unlike the Adirondacks or other eastern mountain ranges that reach gradually to their highest points, the Sierra Nevadas are geological teenagers. They abruptly jut out of the valley floors and quickly hit rare-air levels.

This old mining town is just 18 miles south-southeast of Reno, but it's about 750 feet higher at 6,220 feet. That's 1,000 feet higher than Denver's much-publicized ``mile high'' location.

Visiting the Reno area without driving up into the Sierra Nevadas to visit historic Virginia City would be sacrilege.

This Wild West town still has wood-plank sidewalks, an active Boot …