Lighthawk
Weekend warrior
After a summer of smokey conditions and forest closures we were ready to head out to the Nevada desert.
There was no Burning Man this year, so why not head to Black Rock, Soldier Meadows and finally run High Rock Canyon? We booked four days and hatched a plan.
I had researched this trip nine years ago, and we had visited the area. Would we be like Magellan and return from our trip, or persevere?
We got out of town Friday midday and traveled over Donner Summit, through Reno onto Fernley, to refuel. The new RAM truck with it's 8 speed transmission, 6.4 hemi and 4.10 gears is an amazing package. I can finally use cruise control. Gas mileage is about par with my 15 year old Tundra. The gearing is great for trails, even 2WD or 4WD high. Locking down into lower gears is pretty slick from the steering wheel buttons.
It was smokey driving out through Truckee / Reno, and we were concerned it would impact our trip to Black Rock. There was a heavy haze leaving Fernley, but it got better as the day went on.
It's 70 miles to Gerlach, where we would leave pavement for the next 300 miles. I filled up a 5 gal. auxiliary tank in Fernley. I never used the extra gas, but my stress level was reduced several times on the tour knowing we were covered. Scarcity of fuel, battery storage, water, or beverage of choice can be stressful, and who wants that?
We accessed the playa at the 8 mile entrance and charted our way across the inland ocean of flatness. We came upon a mirage of campers, way out there. Like waaaay out there.
They looked pretty organized with blue and pink porta-potties.
I think one of the companies was a rocketship hobby business.
We steered clear and kept heading the last third of the way across the 15 mile crossing of the playa.
We were on part of the history Applegate Trail, bringing emigrants to the Oregon Territory. The South Emigrant Trail was established in 1846 as an alternative to running the Columbia River. We followed this route through Soldier Meadows and High Rock Canyon. I can't imagine the hardships they went through compared to our experience behind the wheel of a modern 4WD truck.
We passed a group including a Honda, two bikes, and several Tacos and SUV's all heading out. Good! I found a wide spot so we could watch them go by.
It was quiet when we got to Black Rock HS.
I dipped a finger, and wished I had a thermometer to measure the temp.
There was one guy was pitching a tent at a camp north of the spring in a protected spot behind a vegetated dune.
We were concerned about predictions of high winds of 45mph on Saturday followed by possible rain. I got several weather updates on my Inreach device while we were out there, and they were quite accurate.
We continued north to Double Hot HS, following a bumpy track skirting the springs, and admiring the nearby mountains.
We continued to Double Hot where an Australian dude with brand new FWC popup camper and huge trailer (outdoor kitchen, moto-hauler) was camped pretty close to the tub.
We were camped 1/4 mile away next to the hot stream at the end of a double track
We had a really nice spot with a rising nearly full moon to reflect in the creek.
Morning light withsage thrashers. female red-winged blackbirds.
(Tip o' the hat to Wandering Sagebrush for the correct ID)
Heading back south we left the road between Casey Spring and BR Hot Spring and worked our way west to the playa following sparse tracks. Wind gusts were starting to lift dust high in the air, but we skirted them to the south, eventually exiting north of Mormon Dan.
Next episode:
Soldier Meadows to High Rock Canyon
There was no Burning Man this year, so why not head to Black Rock, Soldier Meadows and finally run High Rock Canyon? We booked four days and hatched a plan.
I had researched this trip nine years ago, and we had visited the area. Would we be like Magellan and return from our trip, or persevere?
We got out of town Friday midday and traveled over Donner Summit, through Reno onto Fernley, to refuel. The new RAM truck with it's 8 speed transmission, 6.4 hemi and 4.10 gears is an amazing package. I can finally use cruise control. Gas mileage is about par with my 15 year old Tundra. The gearing is great for trails, even 2WD or 4WD high. Locking down into lower gears is pretty slick from the steering wheel buttons.
It was smokey driving out through Truckee / Reno, and we were concerned it would impact our trip to Black Rock. There was a heavy haze leaving Fernley, but it got better as the day went on.
It's 70 miles to Gerlach, where we would leave pavement for the next 300 miles. I filled up a 5 gal. auxiliary tank in Fernley. I never used the extra gas, but my stress level was reduced several times on the tour knowing we were covered. Scarcity of fuel, battery storage, water, or beverage of choice can be stressful, and who wants that?
We accessed the playa at the 8 mile entrance and charted our way across the inland ocean of flatness. We came upon a mirage of campers, way out there. Like waaaay out there.
They looked pretty organized with blue and pink porta-potties.
I think one of the companies was a rocketship hobby business.
We steered clear and kept heading the last third of the way across the 15 mile crossing of the playa.
We were on part of the history Applegate Trail, bringing emigrants to the Oregon Territory. The South Emigrant Trail was established in 1846 as an alternative to running the Columbia River. We followed this route through Soldier Meadows and High Rock Canyon. I can't imagine the hardships they went through compared to our experience behind the wheel of a modern 4WD truck.
We passed a group including a Honda, two bikes, and several Tacos and SUV's all heading out. Good! I found a wide spot so we could watch them go by.
It was quiet when we got to Black Rock HS.
I dipped a finger, and wished I had a thermometer to measure the temp.
There was one guy was pitching a tent at a camp north of the spring in a protected spot behind a vegetated dune.
We were concerned about predictions of high winds of 45mph on Saturday followed by possible rain. I got several weather updates on my Inreach device while we were out there, and they were quite accurate.
We continued north to Double Hot HS, following a bumpy track skirting the springs, and admiring the nearby mountains.
We continued to Double Hot where an Australian dude with brand new FWC popup camper and huge trailer (outdoor kitchen, moto-hauler) was camped pretty close to the tub.
We were camped 1/4 mile away next to the hot stream at the end of a double track
We had a really nice spot with a rising nearly full moon to reflect in the creek.
Morning light with
(Tip o' the hat to Wandering Sagebrush for the correct ID)
Heading back south we left the road between Casey Spring and BR Hot Spring and worked our way west to the playa following sparse tracks. Wind gusts were starting to lift dust high in the air, but we skirted them to the south, eventually exiting north of Mormon Dan.
Next episode:
Soldier Meadows to High Rock Canyon
