Nice report, Monte.
Although specifically discussing Western ghost towns, it sparks some thoughts on long lost settlements (and even single homesteads) applicable around the world. For example in our Midwest agricultural areas, lanes which previously led to houses, barns, etc., now plowed up and typically otherwise unrecognizable, still often have their entrances (from the 'main' road) recognizable. In some cases farmers still use them to get their equipment into the field for planting, harvesting, etc. This is similar to new roads using the grade of older ones. Why spend time redoing what is already useful?