Black Rock Desert June 2009

Being top dog has it's perks sometimes Ferdinand

Then Diego should pick the route next time! Couldn't do any worse then either of us. BTW, was Diego killing something in that photo of him?

Then Diego should pick the route next time! Couldn't do any worse then either of us. BTW, was Diego killing something in that photo of him?

Killing time

My experience in the Black rock area has been that after the gravel road has been graded, many pyramid and pointy sharp rocks have been turned over and are pointing skyward. The road is flatter and smoother but also sharper and much more likely to leave you with flats. This is especially true as the temptation is to go faster as the road seems smoother. I have had more than one flat on the Soldiers Meadow road.

My road? Only if bring my Jeep. I'm not crazy. Well then that does look tempting. Another great trip report.

Nice report, finally finished.

You should have some words with american tire though so at the bare minimum perhaps they change their policies so someone else doesn't get F'd like that. Yeah customer be wary but the "average" person wouldn't have though about those things at all and would be pissed as well (even though they'd likely just be on a highway some where).

Flat tires, broken running boards, leaving Diego while you run to town to get help! Geez, all I got was muddy, and you say "Don't pull a Ted". At least I knew not to drive out onto the Playa!

Captain D, it's hard to argue with Ted's logic.

Is Diego no longer capable of running? I would feel guilty if I didn't take my dogs on a run into town. They are in better condition for that sort of thing than I am.

Is Diego no longer capable of running? I would feel guilty if I didn't take my dogs on a run into town. They are in better condition for that sort of thing than I am.

He can run but I was on the highway so safety was an issue. Another issue is I was planning to be picked up by the tire truck, and Diego doesn't like strangers much.

He can run but I was on the highway so safety was an issue. Another issue is I was planning to be picked up by the tire truck, and Diego doesn't like strangers much.

When my Dodge's, er...Daimler's, water pump failed the tow truck driver didn't want to get anywhere near the cab. I couldn't blame him. I steered it while he winched in on to the flat bed.

On a side note, I find that the speed which the dogs trot at is a very comfortable speed for me to maintain, though I can't run nearly as long as they can, especially while wearing boots.

Hi Dirty Dog: Can you give more info on the area toward Ft. Bidwell? Do you think its a good camping area? Is there any stream fishing? How many miles do you think it is before I can get gas again? I am thinking of going as far as Surprise Vally Road and then south if I am reading the map correct. I was up in this desert area many years ago and stopped at some of these hot springs when a friend of mine and I went to Stean's Mountain area I think so I do not need to go out into the desert flat area.

Your trip was awesome and I appreciate the info. Its fun to read about other folks trips between my own. As far as everyone's set backs, we all have them. On my trip to Scott Lake I back kicked the camper door opening and when I decided to fix it without the right tools I cut a big gash in my hand, In addition, I learned the awning doesn't work well for us vertically challenged people. My wife and I almost tore it off trying to get it open when I had the truck sitting on some rocks to make it level while overlooking the lake. The moral of the story, fix it when you get home. I took 10 minutes to repair back to new with the right tools when I got home.

As far as the lug nut thing. I had a similar experience, but did not get stranded. Since I chose to leave the tailgate on and use it as a carpeted front porch, I learned I needed to make a new tool to release the spare tire. I discovered this when I was putting on the sway bar after I had been on some trips. If I would have gotten a flat I couldn't have gotten the tire down. Moral on this one, if you change anything from the stock set up, figure out what screw ups you may have created for the future.


Thank you for any info.

Darryl

ATC Bobcat and 2001 Toyota Tacoma 4x4

Hi Dirty Dog: Can you give more info on the area toward Ft. Bidwell? Do you think its a good camping area? Is there any stream fishing? How many miles do you think it is before I can get gas again?

Yeah I do think that would be a good area to camp. There were several lakes up there and a campground although weather conditions did not allow me to check the campground out. I don't know about the fishing. There are a couple other roads that connect 395 and Surprise Valley in the area of Ft Bidwell and I think they all would be worth checking out.

Cedarville is about 25 miles from Ft Bidwell and there is gas there. So you probably aren't more than 40 miles from gas when you are up in the mountains there.