Pictures from "StratoFox 1" trip to Black Rock

Saturday morning at Black Rock Hot Springs

These pictures are from Saturday morning's visit to Black Rock Hot Springs. We found this while exploring the area.

Note: visiting this place is not for everyone. Beware that getting to this area requires 4x4 or a high-clearance vehicle. There is mud on the edge of the playa, making it difficult to find the way there, and easy to get stuck in a spot 15 miles from the nearest paved road and 25 miles from help. And there are historically sensitive areas here along the old Applegate Trail used by American Pioneers on their way to the West. And if you find a hot spring, keep your children and pets forcibly away, since they may fall or even jump in and not recognize their danger until it's impossible to save them. This particular hot spring was literally boiling in places.

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(1536x1024 2312K) (500x333 38K) The original off-road vehicle... A real covered wagon from the 1800's sits at Black Rock Hot Springs, which served as an oasis along the Applegate trail. Don't touch!

(1536x1024 2064K) (500x333 34K) Meredith KG6IRV, Bryan KF6ZEO and Rachel stand in the area behind the covered wagon The west arm of the Black Rock Desert playa is in the background.

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(1536x1024 2361K) (500x333 39K) Rachel looks at the Black Rock Hot Springs.

(1536x1024 2381K) (500x333 41K) The Black Rock Hot Springs and lots of green plants in the foreground. The Black Rock Range mountains are in the background.

(1536x1024 2817K) (500x333 55K) A wooden walkway goes precariously out onto the hot spring. Don't trust it. It looks like it's been rotting in place for years, and replaced others that fell apart before it.

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(1536x1024 2108K) (500x333 32K) Black Rock Hot Springs.

(1536x1024 2164K) (500x333 29K) The deep pool on the north end of the hot spring appears to be the "hot end" and the geothermal vent.

(1536x1024 2073K) (500x333 33K) Steam bubbles come up in the hot end of the Black Rock Hot Springs. So make no mistake about the danger behind this beauty - at least somewhere in there, the water is boiling.

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(1536x1024 2148K) (500x333 28K) The hot end of the Black Rock Hot Springs.

(1536x1024 2246K) (500x333 35K) Black Rock Hot Springs in the foreground and the Black Rock Desert in the background.

(1536x1024 2295K) (500x333 36K) Mark KA8I prepares to take a picture of me.

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(1536x1024 2061K) (500x333 30K) Black Rock Point (a.k.a. "The Black Rock") as viewed from the hot springs, which are at its base. Viewed from this close up, Black Rock Point appears to be a small plug-dome volcano. i.e. it created itself with a single eruption that ended with a lava dome, then plugged its throat when it cooled. The dome turns more cone-shaped as the rocks crumble. But the hot spring next to it is evidence that the area is still geologically active underground.

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(1536x1024 1999K) (500x333 34K) Mark KA8I in the foreground, Gary KG6CGA walks in the background.

(1536x1024 2097K) (500x333 31K) Rachel looks at the plants along the streams that flow from the hot springs. The greenery provides a nice contrast with the desert around it.

(1536x1024 2033K) (500x333 33K) Looking south at the central and southern portions of the Black Rock Desert playa.

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(1536x1024 1911K) (500x333 26K) Bryan KF6ZEO explores the area around the hot springs.

(1536x1024 2212K) (500x333 33K) Our vehicles and the covered wagon at the hot springs. The Black Rock is in the background. That's where we're going next.

Back to the StratoFox 1 Pictures

(1536x1024 2312K) (500x333 38K)	The original off-road vehicle... A real covered wagon from the 1800's sits at Black Rock Hot Springs, which served as an oasis along the Applegate trail. Don't touch!
(1536x1024 2064K) (500x333 34K)	Meredith KG6IRV, Bryan KF6ZEO and Rachel stand in the area behind the covered wagon The west arm of the Black Rock Desert playa is in the background.
(1536x1024 2361K) (500x333 39K)	Rachel looks at the Black Rock Hot Springs.
(1536x1024 2381K) (500x333 41K)	The Black Rock Hot Springs and lots of green plants in the foreground. The Black Rock Range mountains are in the background.
(1536x1024 2817K) (500x333 55K)	A wooden walkway goes precariously out onto the hot spring. Don't trust it. It looks like it's been rotting in place for years, and replaced others that fell apart before it.
(1536x1024 2108K) (500x333 32K)	Black Rock Hot Springs.
(1536x1024 2164K) (500x333 29K)	The deep pool on the north end of the hot spring appears to be the "hot end" and the geothermal vent.
(1536x1024 2073K) (500x333 33K)	Steam bubbles come up in the hot end of the Black Rock Hot Springs. So make no mistake about the danger behind this beauty - at least somewhere in there, the water is boiling.
(1536x1024 2148K) (500x333 28K)	The hot end of the Black Rock Hot Springs.
(1536x1024 2246K) (500x333 35K)	Black Rock Hot Springs in the foreground and the Black Rock Desert in the background.
(1536x1024 2295K) (500x333 36K)	Mark KA8I prepares to take a picture of me.
(1536x1024 2061K) (500x333 30K)	Black Rock Point (a.k.a. "The Black Rock") as viewed from the hot springs, which are at its base. Viewed from this close up, Black Rock Point appears to be a small plug-dome volcano. i.e. it created itself with a single eruption that ended with a lava dome, then plugged its throat when it cooled. The dome turns more cone-shaped as the rocks crumble. But the hot spring next to it is evidence that the area is still geologically active underground.
(1536x1024 1999K) (500x333 34K)	Mark KA8I in the foreground, Gary KG6CGA walks in the background.
(1536x1024 2097K) (500x333 31K)	Rachel looks at the plants along the streams that flow from the hot springs. The greenery provides a nice contrast with the desert around it.
(1536x1024 2033K) (500x333 33K)	Looking south at the central and southern portions of the Black Rock Desert playa.
(1536x1024 1911K) (500x333 26K)	Bryan KF6ZEO explores the area around the hot springs.
(1536x1024 2212K) (500x333 33K)	Our vehicles and the covered wagon at the hot springs. The Black Rock is in the background. That's where we're going next.