Unnamed Thermal Spring
Emerging at 163°F just 13.2 meters from the nearest road at 4,318 feet elevation, this unnamed spring flows 110 degrees above the 52.7-degree ambient temperature near Winnemucca where USGS documented 73°C water with low mineralization at 344 mg/L total dissolved solids and minimal calcium at 3.2 mg/L.
The roadside spring sits on BLM Humboldt River Field Office land in terrain receiving 10.7 inches of precipitation and 31.4 inches of snow annually. Water chemistry shows moderate sodium at 90 mg/L with sulfate at 46 mg/L and chloride at 12 mg/L, indicating relatively dilute thermal water despite the high temperature. The landscape consists of open high desert rangeland where federal public access policies allow visitation alongside extractive uses.
The roadside location allows immediate access, though exercise extreme caution around the scalding 163°F water. This is strictly an observation site, not suitable for bathing. Summer heat and winter snow affect visiting conditions. The exposed location offers no shade or facilities.
Available records contain no documented name or historical information about this spring's discovery or use. The extremely accessible roadside location suggests early travelers may have noted it, though no specific accounts survive in accessible sources.
The water at This spring is alkaline (pH 9.3) with 344 mg/L total dissolved solids.
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this spring is road-accessible, so you can bring more gear. The water is dangerously hot — bring water shoes and test pools carefully.
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