Carlotti Ranch Springs
Carlotti Ranch Springs discharges at 102 degrees Fahrenheit on Bureau of Land Management property in Elko County, emerging 54 degrees above ambient at 5,775 feet elevation. The spring sits 638 meters from the nearest road on open public land managed by the Tuscarora Field Office near Carlin, requiring a short walk to reach the thermal discharge. Water flows in terrain receiving 11.9 inches of precipitation and 43.2 inches of snow annually, where ambient temperatures average 48.3 degrees Fahrenheit in this high-elevation setting.
At 5,775 feet in northeastern Nevada's mountain country, the spring emerges in pinyon-juniper woodland characteristic of the higher elevations surrounding Carlin. The landscape represents Basin and Range topography where the Tuscarora Mountains and Independence Range create rugged terrain dotted with ranches and mining claims. Volcanic and sedimentary rocks underlie the spring, with faulting creating the conduits for geothermal circulation. Winter snow covers the ground for extended periods in this cool mountain climate, while summer thunderstorms deliver most of the annual precipitation. Sagebrush, mountain mahogany, and scattered aspen occupy the surrounding slopes.
Access requires half-mile walk from nearest road; verify route conditions before departure as mountain weather can close approaches during winter and spring. Temperature of 102 degrees Fahrenheit allows comfortable bathing after slight cooling. Best visited May through October when roads dry and walking conditions improve. High-clearance or four-wheel-drive vehicle recommended for rough BLM roads. Carry water and emergency supplies. Combine with visits to Carlin's historic town site or exploration of the Tuscarora mining district. Snow can persist at this elevation into May.
The name references the Carlotti Ranch operation that utilized the thermal spring for stock watering and possibly agricultural purposes during Elko County's ranching development. Italian immigrant ranchers, including families with the Carlotti surname, established numerous operations across northeastern Nevada in the late 1800s and early 1900s. The spring provided a reliable water source in terrain where many seasonal streams run dry by late summer.
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Carlotti Ranch Springs sits at 5,775 feet above sea level, way above the mile-high mark. You may not feel the altitude strongly, but hot water still dehydrates you faster at elevation. UV is about 23% stronger than at sea level, so bring sunscreen and drink more water than you normally would.
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Carlotti Ranch Springs is road-accessible, so you can bring more gear.
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