Any advise? NW Nevada / NE California - Maybe Plumas NF too

[pjpvi]

My annual guys trip is in it's planning stage again and I think this year we are focussing on NW Nevada and NE California area (maybe Plumas NF area too?). Think Black Rock Desert and Modoc National Forest areas in general. We prefer to get far off the beaten track with a focus on 4wheeling, mountain biking, photography, drinking and eating (and the occasional firearm thrown in). We also try to go places none of us have ever been before.

Time frame will be early May.

If anyone has some great inside knowledge on remote camp spots, trails or must sees up that way, I'd appreciate the info. Also any recommended spots / routes between the SF Bay area and our destination.

Some of our past trips:
http://sportsmobileforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=10161
http://sportsmobileforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=4959
http://sportsmobileforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=3071

Thanks,
Phil

[dhally]

Surprise Valley hot springs is interesting. You have to stay in their motel to use the hot springs though.

[Viejo]

Originally Posted by dhally

Surprise Valley hot springs is interesting. You have to stay in their motel to use the hot springs though.

That's a great place, but if you want a free alternative there is a nice spring and tub just south of Eagleville right next to the hwy. If you're interested I'll pm you location.

[charlie56]

A few years ago we made the circuit from Santa Rosa up to the Warner Range (Modoc) then over to Nevada, down into the High Rock desert area into Gerlach, then back home. Lot of places to get away from everyone on that route. (Custom designed to meet all of your listed recreational criteria. ) We took off of 395 near Davis Creek and didn't hit much pavement until Gerlach We have been back to the Warner Range several times. We sometimes stay at Plum Creek campground (primitive BML setup) which is usually empty except during hunting season. Decent rock-hounding in the area.

It's about time for us to go back into the High Rock - Black Rock area. We made the loop in August expecting it to be hot as heck but it was really quite pleasant. There are some hot springs in the area that offer a good soak. Caution, if you want to avoid people stay out of the Gerlach area during Burning Man.

Hope that helps. Let me know if you need more information.

[pjpvi]

You have to stay in their motel

Thanks Dhally, but that violates the main premise. I always like a good soak though!

right next to the hwy

That's a little better Viejo, but still violates that all important requirement. Same as above though, love a good soak. If you have the coordinates, send them on over.

A few years ago we made the circuit from Santa Rosa up to the Warner Range (Modoc) then over to Nevada, down into the High Rock desert area into Gerlach, then back home. Lot of places to get away from everyone on that route. (Custom designed to meet all of your listed recreational criteria. ) We took off of 395 near Davis Creek and didn't hit much pavement until Gerlach We have been back to the Warner Range several times. We sometimes stay at Plum Creek campground (primitive BML setup) which is usually empty except during hunting season. Decent rock-hounding in the area.

Charlie, that's sounding more our speed. if you can pass along any specifics that would be appreciated. Otherwise, I'll just poke around GoogleEarth and maps.

As for Burning Man, me and the same group of friends are going to see if we can get tickets when they go on sale this Wednesday. It's not our normal sort of thing, but we figured its something you gotta do once in your life (my wife doesn't figure the same way I do though) and why not the year most of us turn 50!

Thanks to all of you for the replies! If anyone else has any ideas, post them up.

Phil

[rob_gendreau]

Great minds...I was just looking at the same areas for a possible trip. Check some dual sport motorcycle sites (don't have any links handy); guys do a lot of offroading all around there.

Lava Beds is pretty cool; old lava tubes with perennial ice inside. Medicine Lake is quite pretty, but it might get a bit crowded given there's not much water thereabouts. But plenty of space all around there. Going in the dirt or small roads from there down to Mt. Shasta is a good way home. Dunno if you're into campgrounds, but the one on the McCloud is nice: waterfalls at either end. And it's next to the super-exclusive Hearst property, maybe you can get an invite (otherwise expect to be escorted out). Burney Falls is worth a look-see; I think the campground there has showers and whatnot. But it gets filled up, at least in summer.

Goose Lake is wonderful; great for birding. There's a little campground right on the state line at the water off 395, great for photos.

And check out the area around the Owyhee River; it's a big one, but I'm speaking of the area from roughly Rome to the reservoir. Hit "terrain" on Google maps and you get a better idea of the area; from 95 the river looks like a glorified irrigation ditch, but it gets super interesting downstream (north) from there. Some stuff is accessible by road, although best to boat it (at least 3 days). We've taken out via Morcom Road; a LONG piece o' dirt. The area is remote and fascinating. Hot springs around too. And a nice ice cream spot in Jordan Valley. And Pomp Charbonneau's grave.

[pjpvi]

Thanks for the info Rob! The lava tubes sound like something worth checking out.

Phil

[charlie56]

Ah heck, you didn't mention about going west. Lava tubes and the Medicine Lake "area" are very cool. The landscape is very volcanic. One of the neatest campsites you will ever find is little Mt Hoffman Lookout. Read about it here.

viewtopic.php?p=32385#p32385

We watched a summer lightning storm light up Glass Mountain. (An obsidian mountain peak). Pretty spectacular.