Pictures from "StratoFox 2" trip to Black Rock

Friday, August 22, 2003 - Detour on the Old Lassen-Applegate Trail

After failing to reach Black Rock Point by the direct route, we detoured to Double Hot Springs. We briefly had a fourth vehicle in our convoy as we met with a father and son from Walnut Creek who were also turned away by the mud at Black Rock Point. But they went their own way after Double Hot Springs.

We followed the old Lassen-Applegate pioneer wagon trail, which is still used now as a 4x4 trail, south toward Black Rock Point, and then turned inland to our intended camp site in the Black Rock Range mountains.

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(1536x1024 2374K) (500x333 44K) We've successfully reached Double Hot Springs, though the road is a bit muddy and still requires 4WD to get anywhere. Even walking around the springs requires caution since there are muddy spots everywhere. I impressed upon the group to be careful around the springs - people have lost their lives by falling in. I quoted figures I read on the web like "140 degrees" and "3 second contact will cause 3rd degree burns." They got the point...

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(1536x1024 2255K) (500x333 38K) But once you understand the dangers of Double Hot Springs, there's still a chance to enjoy the beauty of the site. Dave looks at the clear northern hot spring.

(1536x1024 2539K) (500x333 47K) The group looks at the northern spring. I warned Bryan he was getting too close to the pool and he stepped away. We're all grown-ups and responsible for our own safety but a reminder is worthwhile in a case like this where one slip means it's all over, with extreme danger to anyone attempting a rescue. It just isn't worth the risk.

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(1536x1024 2153K) (500x333 34K) The group looks at the hot tub that someone made downstream from Double Hot Springs. There is a new hotter-water pipe which wasn't there when I visited here last September.

(1536x1024 2396K) (500x333 43K) Justin takes a picture of the hot tub.

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(1536x1024 2279K) (500x333 38K) Now we're headed back to the vehicles. We still have to get to Black Rock Point, visible far in the background, to select our campsite.

(1536x1024 2279K) (500x333 36K) We're making progress southbound on the Lassen-Nobles pioneer wagon trail toward Black Rock Point.

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(1536x1024 2129K) (500x333 29K) We've found a dry spot to park near Casey Hot Springs. It's been a challenging drive in the mud, even in 4WD. Rafael and Sean can be seen in this picture.

(1536x1024 1915K) (500x333 20K) We're making progress toward our camp site in the Black Rock Range. This is the first mini-playa we must cross.

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(1536x1024 1995K) (500x333 35K) Another view of the first dry lakebed.

(1536x1024 1860K) (500x333 20K) I'm down on the lakebed checking on the driving conditions before we venture onto it, considering it had been raining for several days. The sky only cleared up after we arrived earlier in the day. Fortunately, it's dry. So this is one more step where we'll be able to continue. It's now becoming apparent that we might actually still reach our goal for the day, though hours later than we originally planned.

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(1536x1024 1934K) (500x333 23K) I've climbed back up the small ridge now. Bryan is still down at the first lakebed looking around and checking its drivability.

(1536x1024 2129K) (500x333 30K) Justin and Rafael are both taking pictures.

(1536x1024 2044K) (500x333 25K) It's almost sundown and we've finally reached the second lakebed. This is where we'll set up camp.

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(1536x1024 2088K) (500x333 36K) Dave and Sean are the first in our group to try out the second mini-playa. And it's obvious they're already having fun. The day's journey is now a success.

Back: Traveling to Black Rock Up: StratoFox 2 Next: Evening at Camp

(1536x1024 2374K) (500x333 44K)	We've successfully reached Double Hot Springs, though the road is a bit muddy and still requires 4WD to get anywhere. Even walking around the springs requires caution since there are muddy spots everywhere. I impressed upon the group to be careful around the springs - people have lost their lives by falling in. I quoted figures I read on the web like "140 degrees" and "3 second contact will cause 3rd degree burns." They got the point...
(1536x1024 2255K) (500x333 38K)	But once you understand the dangers of Double Hot Springs, there's still a chance to enjoy the beauty of the site. Dave looks at the clear northern hot spring.
(1536x1024 2539K) (500x333 47K)	The group looks at the northern spring. I warned Bryan he was getting too close to the pool and he stepped away. We're all grown-ups and responsible for our own safety but a reminder is worthwhile in a case like this where one slip means it's all over, with extreme danger to anyone attempting a rescue. It just isn't worth the risk.
(1536x1024 2153K) (500x333 34K)	The group looks at the hot tub that someone made downstream from Double Hot Springs. There is a new hotter-water pipe which wasn't there when I visited here last September.
(1536x1024 2396K) (500x333 43K)	Justin takes a picture of the hot tub.
(1536x1024 2279K) (500x333 38K)	Now we're headed back to the vehicles. We still have to get to Black Rock Point, visible far in the background, to select our campsite.
(1536x1024 2279K) (500x333 36K)	We're making progress southbound on the Lassen-Nobles pioneer wagon trail toward Black Rock Point.
(1536x1024 2129K) (500x333 29K)	We've found a dry spot to park near Casey Hot Springs. It's been a challenging drive in the mud, even in 4WD. Rafael and Sean can be seen in this picture.
(1536x1024 1915K) (500x333 20K)	We're making progress toward our camp site in the Black Rock Range. This is the first mini-playa we must cross.
(1536x1024 1995K) (500x333 35K)	Another view of the first dry lakebed.
(1536x1024 1860K) (500x333 20K)	I'm down on the lakebed checking on the driving conditions before we venture onto it, considering it had been raining for several days. The sky only cleared up after we arrived earlier in the day. Fortunately, it's dry. So this is one more step where we'll be able to continue. It's now becoming apparent that we might actually still reach our goal for the day, though hours later than we originally planned.
(1536x1024 1934K) (500x333 23K)	I've climbed back up the small ridge now. Bryan is still down at the first lakebed looking around and checking its drivability.
(1536x1024 2129K) (500x333 30K)	Justin and Rafael are both taking pictures.
(1536x1024 2044K) (500x333 25K)	It's almost sundown and we've finally reached the second lakebed. This is where we'll set up camp.
(1536x1024 2088K) (500x333 36K)	Dave and Sean are the first in our group to try out the second mini-playa. And it's obvious they're already having fun. The day's journey is now a success.