24HOURSOFNEVADA
Expedition Leader
I had been planning a Baja trip for months. The trip was going to be two weeks in duration with very minimal requirements; Start at a friends house in San Felipe and make it over to the Pacific to see some whales. The rest of the time would be spent exploring the peninsula. At the end of January, I injured my foot/ ankle and the plans were ruined. Two weeks ago, I found out that I would require surgery to repair the damage. With this being the last week before more down time, I thought it would be the perfect time to load up the FWC and head into the northern part of the Black Rock Desert.
We were supposed to get a winter storm and we did, 10" at lake level (Tahoe). I knew of a nice little "secret" natural hot springs that would be the perfect place to soak while enjoying the snow fall. We loaded up and left. We headed north into the cool town of Gerlach NV. Gerlach is known as the jumping off point for the Black Rock Desert.
The hot springs we were headed to were north of Soldier Meadows Ranch. Soldier Meadows was originally known as Camp McGarry. A United States Calvary Outpost constructed in 1865, four years after Washoe County became a County.
Along the way, we stopped to see what had originally been described to me as a munitions depot for the Calvary.
Normally, the fastest way to our destination is across the Black Rock Playa. This is the same Playa used for the popular counter culture event, Burning Man. I say normally it's the fastest because if it's wet, you can't drive on it. In fact, we had been flagged down by a young guy in front of the Empire store who was trying to get a ride back to Reno. He tried driving on the wet Playa and became stuck. He was offering $80.00 plus gas money for a ride to the airport. I don't know what his plan was for the rental car.
This is the 12 mile Playa entrance. There are three entrances on the west side; Three mile, Eight mile and 12 mile. I pulled in and after a quick survey decided to take the "High" road north. I think we left a trail of playa mud from the 12 mile entrance all the way to the High road turn off.
This is the sign for the High road north. It's called the High road, because it's higher than the Playa and is usually passable year round.
I'd love to show more pictures of the next 60-70 miles of dirt roads, but we were socked in with weather. Since I was driving from memory, I remembered that there was a dilapidated line shack near the turn off. It seems that the line shack has been restored and is now a first come, first served cabin open to the public. We noticed an American flag on a flag pole and a trailer parked next to the cabin. This was the first indicator that the "Secret Spot" may not have been a secret anymore.
This was taken the next day since the visibility had cleared. Out of respect for the guys staying there, we didn't go any closer.
Once we got to the "Secret" springs, quite a bit had changed since my last visit 10-11 years ago. Last time I was there, I literally stumbled upon them. You could drive right up to the edge of the spring and there were no signs at all of any human activity. A lot has changed since then...
BLM has erected an outhouse, there are designated camping spots and interpretive signs with trails. So much for "Secret Spot." There was also a truck with three guys from CA. there. Super secret...
The reason for the trip. This portion is about three feet deep and it's in your best interest to bring a low slung chair to sit in while you soak. I brought one for the Mrs. because I know how she gets.
Due to the storm blowing in, we decided to put our snow Peak BBQ inside the Partner stove for wind protection. It worked out well considering we grilled our dinner and didn't need a burner.
We were supposed to get a winter storm and we did, 10" at lake level (Tahoe). I knew of a nice little "secret" natural hot springs that would be the perfect place to soak while enjoying the snow fall. We loaded up and left. We headed north into the cool town of Gerlach NV. Gerlach is known as the jumping off point for the Black Rock Desert.
The hot springs we were headed to were north of Soldier Meadows Ranch. Soldier Meadows was originally known as Camp McGarry. A United States Calvary Outpost constructed in 1865, four years after Washoe County became a County.
Along the way, we stopped to see what had originally been described to me as a munitions depot for the Calvary.
Normally, the fastest way to our destination is across the Black Rock Playa. This is the same Playa used for the popular counter culture event, Burning Man. I say normally it's the fastest because if it's wet, you can't drive on it. In fact, we had been flagged down by a young guy in front of the Empire store who was trying to get a ride back to Reno. He tried driving on the wet Playa and became stuck. He was offering $80.00 plus gas money for a ride to the airport. I don't know what his plan was for the rental car.
This is the 12 mile Playa entrance. There are three entrances on the west side; Three mile, Eight mile and 12 mile. I pulled in and after a quick survey decided to take the "High" road north. I think we left a trail of playa mud from the 12 mile entrance all the way to the High road turn off.
This is the sign for the High road north. It's called the High road, because it's higher than the Playa and is usually passable year round.
I'd love to show more pictures of the next 60-70 miles of dirt roads, but we were socked in with weather. Since I was driving from memory, I remembered that there was a dilapidated line shack near the turn off. It seems that the line shack has been restored and is now a first come, first served cabin open to the public. We noticed an American flag on a flag pole and a trailer parked next to the cabin. This was the first indicator that the "Secret Spot" may not have been a secret anymore.
This was taken the next day since the visibility had cleared. Out of respect for the guys staying there, we didn't go any closer.
Once we got to the "Secret" springs, quite a bit had changed since my last visit 10-11 years ago. Last time I was there, I literally stumbled upon them. You could drive right up to the edge of the spring and there were no signs at all of any human activity. A lot has changed since then...
BLM has erected an outhouse, there are designated camping spots and interpretive signs with trails. So much for "Secret Spot." There was also a truck with three guys from CA. there. Super secret...
The reason for the trip. This portion is about three feet deep and it's in your best interest to bring a low slung chair to sit in while you soak. I brought one for the Mrs. because I know how she gets.
Due to the storm blowing in, we decided to put our snow Peak BBQ inside the Partner stove for wind protection. It worked out well considering we grilled our dinner and didn't need a burner.
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