Blackrock Desert, NV - 2006

[roverX]

Originally Posted by WineryRover

Sounds like a blast! So is March 17-19 the plan? I will start to try to clear the time. The wifey has a digital SLR camera with lots of lenses that I could grab, we should be able to get some good shots with it.

Maybe we could get GriffSC to come as well, I know Santa Cruz is far but it would be good to get another D90 to go.....

Roxerx, I could meet up with you and others somewhere around hwy 80 in Fairfield, if you would be coming up that way.

Yeah, we can pick a good point to meet that works for most people. If the playa is out due to weather, maybe we can find another place to go since that weekend seems to work for a lot of people.

[keptin]

Good idea....come up with a Plan B....hmm....if the playa is wet that will mean its wet everywhere else, so I really dont know where we could go....perhaps truckee again, but its one of those "been there, done that" things......everywhere in truckee and the area would look similar. Also since the blackrock is open to stock vehicles......(actually almost anything....you could take a toyota corola on the playa) then moving off from that path would be a bummer.

You can camp at pyramid lake....but at that time the lake would be freezing cold....but there are many trails out there, but very easy ones, good for stock vehicles.

[roverX]

There is a pretty easy trail up above Red Bluff that was hella dusty last year. I thought it would be a good trail to do in the mud and maybe some snow. Stock rigs would be fine too. I think it was the J##p Peligreen Trail. I think I posted some pics of it in the photo section. I'll bring it back up. That might be a possibility.

[Monty]

I like having a plan b just in case and would go for Red Bluff if it comes to it, Steve.

[Bene]

Originally Posted by WineryRover

Sounds like a blast! So is March 17-19 the plan? I will start to try to clear the time. The wifey has a digital SLR camera with lots of lenses that I could grab, we should be able to get some good shots with it.

Maybe we could get GriffSC to come as well, I know Santa Cruz is far but it would be good to get another D90 to go.....

Roxerx, I could meet up with you and others somewhere around hwy 80 in Fairfield, if you would be coming up that way.

if i do go. i would most likely be meeting up with some friends in Vacaville. maybe we could meet up with X and whoever in Auburn or something.

[keptin]

the peligreen trail will be our "Plan B", but hopefully the weather will be good and it wont come to that.

Just to remind others:

1. You will be required to bring at least one 5gal jerry can of fuel; plastic 5gal jerry cans can be found at your local walmart or similar store for a reasonable price. You dont need a roofrack, I am just filling it up before hand and then wiping it down so there are no fumes. I will probably put it in a tied up thick garbage bag for the trip.

2. Bring warm clothes, wind breaker material is great....winds are sometimes strong, bring a full jacket, bring a zero degree sleeping bag or close...it will be around 25 degrees out at night, minus wind chill.

3. Buy/Bring your camera/videocamera stuff for the trip....it will be an awesome trip to take photos/vids at.

[RockyRon]

Note:

Off-roading on the Pyramid Lake Reservation requires an off-road permit for every vehicle. Last time I got one it was $7. They're available in Sutcliff or Nixon. Fines pretty steep if the Indian police catch you without them. A better place to play in the sand, without a permit is at the north end of Winnemucca Lake - Turn right off of 447 at the Snoopy painted rocks at approximately 40-18.5N.

Off-roading on BLM lands in Nevada requires that each vehicle carry a shovel, axe and five gallons of water.

Stay off the section of the playa that is designated "Black Rock Desert Wilderness Study Area" near Cholona Siding.

Wet areas of the playa are dangerous. If you get stuck, you may have to come back in July to dig it out.

- - Have fun!

[keptin]

Are the dunes part of the Pyramid Lake area?? You can see the lake from a distance....but they are right off the highway....and pretty far past the normal entrances.

Also....I think we are pushing the trip back to May....the weather would be much better and there would be a higher % chance of the playa being nice and dry.

[RockyRon]

Originally Posted by keptin

Are the dunes part of the Pyramid Lake area?? You can see the lake from a distance....but they are right off the highway....and pretty far past the normal entrances.

Also....I think we are pushing the trip back to May....the weather would be much better and there would be a higher % chance of the playa being nice and dry.

You had mentioned Pyramid Lake Dunes so I assumed you were talking about an area on the reservation. Nearly anywhere that you can see the lake is on the reservation. Winnemucca Lake is not part of the reservation ecept for the west bak along highway 447.

[keptin]

darn, if thats the case then we might have to pass on the dunes......unless everyone feels that its worth the $7 to get on them legally. Are you comming Ron? If so, we could just follow you out to where you are explaining.

[roverX]

OK, it is now my understanding that the Peligreen doesn't open up until March. We have not had that wet of a winter here...yet. I know a few more NorCal guys will join up if we do Peligreen. I will find out more 411.

[keptin]

Hmm...yeah...alright, so were pushing blackrock off till may to guarentee good weather. Lets see how this march peligreen thing goes.

[RockyRon]

Originally Posted by keptin

darn, if thats the case then we might have to pass on the dunes......unless everyone feels that its worth the $7 to get on them legally. Are you comming Ron? If so, we could just follow you out to where you are explaining.

Nope. Been to Black Rock. I don't get too excited about racing on playas or sand dunes. I'm usually out exploring new territory; canyons, ridge crossings, looking for history. But thanks.

[MG/WCB]

Organized trips to the Black Rock Desert are touchy subjects folks. BLM may require you to have a permit. As a permit holder myself... I know what can happen, and has happened. So check with the BLM before you organize a group trip on any BLM land. MG www.offroadexperience.com

[keptin]

thanks, we will if we go ahead an plan a trip....didnt know they were so touchy about it.