Overland Legacy: Black Rock 2023

What: Q3 Overnight Run through the Black Rock Desert

Trailboss: Tony

Primary RV: The Griddle, 460 W Winnemucca Blvd, Winnemucca, NV 89445

Secondary RV: Knott Creek Reservoir, 41.665167, -118.787237. Google Maps will take you to this location. Have your Ham radio on when you enter the area so you can inform you of changes to the campsite.

Final RV: BLM Cabin at Solider Meadow, 41.360559, -119.196606. Google Maps will take you to this location. Have your Ham radio on when you enter the area so you can inform you of changes to the campsite.

Trail Time: Several hours each day. Travel time to the primary rendezvous (RV) is about 2.5 hours, then another 1.5 hours to the trailhead. See the details section below for more information on options.

Trailhead: We hit dirt (Hwy 140W) at Denio Junction Gas Station, 55150 Denio Highway 140, Denio, NV 89404

What to Bring: GAS, Camera, GAS, cool weather gear (layers), GAS, water, GAS, food, GAS, camping gear, GAS, recovery gear, GAS, HAM radio.... and GAS!

Frequencies: 146.460 / alt 146.052 - I highly recommend an installed mobile 2m ham radio for this trip. Handhelds don't have the power and range if we get spread out or separated. Do this even if you do not have your license yet. At the very least, you can listen to the trial team's conversations, and anyone can use ham in an emergency. I also recommend a Garmin InReach for emergency communications. 

Program the Black Rock Desert repeaters into your radio before you go. You'll need a dual-band (2m/70cm) or 2nd radio to hit the main repeater on 440.175.

Details

The Black Rock Highlands is one of my favorite places in Northern Nevada. The unexpected beauty, apparent desolation, and serene vistas are some of the best in the world. Come expecting desert landscapes, lakes (reservoirs) surrounded by lush green trees and tall grasses, water crossings, rejuvenating hot springs, big skies, and more.

Here are the tracks (downloadable gpx files) we made on our last trip using this route.

• Reservoir track from Denio Junction
• Soldier Meadow Track through the res
• Soldier Meadow through High Rock Canyon
• Gerlach to Solider Meadow

Fuel pumps are only available at the start and end of the trip, so you'll need to bring what you think you'll need. Those who have larger vehicles and can carry a few extra cans should do so to help others out in a pinch. I recommend each vehicle carries at least 15 gallons of spare fuel.

About the RVs: For those who wish to join us for the entire trip, we are departing for Winnemucca on Thursday morning and staying in a hotel. The Candlewood Suites Winnemucca will be our "official" hotel, but there are others in the area. We will have dinner at the  Winnemucca Pizzeria. You are welcome to join us for breakfast at The Griddle on Friday morning at 8 AM. Or you can travel all the way to Denio Junction on Friday in an attempt to meet us there before we hit the trail. We will likely hit Denio around 11 AM, top off our tanks, and head out by 11:30. We should hit our first campsite by 1:30 for a late lunch and setup camp for the night.

You can join us at our campsite at Knott Creek anytime Friday afternoon/evening. Google maps will give you turn-by-turn directions to the reservoir, just make sure you save the route for offline navigation. Apple Maps may also provide turn-by-turn, I haven't tried it. NOTE: The route to Knott Creek should have you exit Hwy 140 at 41.561976, -118.397818. You might want to go up to continue up to Denio Junction to top off your tank, then head back down to 41.561976, -118.397818.

The final chance to join us before High Rock Canyon is the BLM cabin at Solider Meadow. Google maps will give you turn-by-turn directions to the reservoir, just make sure you save the route for offline navigation. Apple Maps may also provide turn-by-turn, I haven't tried it. NOTE: You will need to make sure that your map app takes you down route 217 (turn right at Soldier Meadow Road/40.792441, -119.278478) to Solider Meadow. Sometimes it will take you too far north by default and that section of the desert is a little rough. Grab gas in Gerlach!

Chat with us on Facebook if you have questions about this trip.