Pre-report/Teaser: Chasing Hot Springs across the Great Basin

[Martinjmpr]

Just a quick teaser I thought I'd post about my first ExPo coordinated trip. Met with Jan (Canuck Mariner) and Bob (not sure what handle he posts under) as well as Bob's friend Sue, and we spent the better part of a week chasing hot springs across the Great Basin.

Starting/meeting point was at Spencer Hot Springs near Austin, NV (pretty much smack in the center of the state) and from there we worked our way Northwest, eventually ending up at the famous Black Rock Desert in Northwestern Nevada (site of the annual Burning Man festival as well as the site of the 1997 world Land Speed record, a record that still has not been broken.) From there we continued through the very picturesque High Rock Canyon and northward into Oregon.

I broke off from the group on the morning of Thursday, May 28th, near the Alvord Desert in Southern Oregon, but they were still going strong.

Here are a few "teaser" photos, will post more when time permits.

Here's the group on the morning after I met them at Spencer Hot Springs.

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z256/ZappBranigan/Desert%20hot%20springs%20may%2009/2009_0524_082056AA.jpg

Vehicles were: My '04 Tacoma, Bob's highly modified 84 FJ-60 (converted to diesel/5 speed), Sue's 94 FZJ-80, and Jan's JDM 1990 HZJ-75 SWB.

One of the few stretches of paved road we hit coming out of Austin:

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z256/ZappBranigan/Desert%20hot%20springs%20may%2009/2009_0524_113457AA.jpg

Group photo at the first playa (dry lake bed) we crossed. This one was small, maybe 6-8 miles across:

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z256/ZappBranigan/Desert%20hot%20springs%20may%2009/2009_0524_124755AA.jpg

One of the many natural hot springs we visited:

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z256/ZappBranigan/Desert%20hot%20springs%20may%2009/2009_0524_151913AA.jpg

A small (and I emphasize, small) portion of the Black Rock desert: Only about 15 miles across at this point (the little speck in the center is Jan's HZJ):

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z256/ZappBranigan/Desert%20hot%20springs%20may%2009/2009_0525_134215AA.jpg

Campsite near Double Hot Springs, in the Black Rock:

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z256/ZappBranigan/Desert%20hot%20springs%20may%2009/2009_0525_202536AA.jpg

Wild Horses, Northwest of Hardin City site, northern part of the Black Rock:

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z256/ZappBranigan/Desert%20hot%20springs%20may%2009/2009_0526_102745AA.jpg

Last view of the Black Rock:

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z256/ZappBranigan/Desert%20hot%20springs%20may%2009/2009_0526_122356AA.jpg

Bog Hot Springs:

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z256/ZappBranigan/Desert%20hot%20springs%20may%2009/2009_0527_083935AA.jpg

Sunset at Bog Hot Springs:

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z256/ZappBranigan/Desert%20hot%20springs%20may%2009/2009_0526_204207AA.jpg

[TroutBear]

I'd really like to know more about the FJ60 diesel / 5 spd conversion; sounds like a great project path for one of those vehciles. Any way to get in touch w/ him or ask him to post up about it?

[Martinjmpr]

I'd really like to know more about the FJ60 diesel / 5 spd conversion; sounds like a great project path for one of those vehciles. Any way to get in touch w/ him or ask him to post up about it?

Bob posts here, just not sure of his handle. I think he'll be back on line Monday evening or some time Tuesday.

[alia176]

Very cool! We'll be heading into the same area at the end of this week. I can't wait :wings:

[Cabrito]

Real Nice.

Keep it coming.

.

[spikemd]

Sounds like a great trip. Can't wait to hear and see the full write-up.
:coffee: