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It's been 8 years running and multiple times each season that IRR - I Ride Rogue has been reserving Cockrell High Desert Ranch Cabins for retreats and tours. This hidden gem has been such a highlight since we first visited that we have made it a family gathering for a select, hand picked few that we call family. There are only six spots available and they are reserved for couples only. My wife Jaci and I, along with Mark and Rhonda Fraker have made this an annual family reunion and we are specifically looking for participants who will consider becoming a part of this family tradition. It is in this beautiful place that our hearts, stories, history, life interests and struggles, culminate in a setting that allows us to breath, laugh, and understand what God is doing in our stories. Many years ago as we began to develop The Redeemed Adventure Project. It's sole purpose and design has been to see Christ brought into our story as we adventure! We have been developing ways to cultivate our adventures with God and each other under the open sky’s and fresh air ever since. Even though our time together at the ranch is only 5 days, it has a profound impact on how we do life together as we encourage and come along side one another, especially in our walk with the Lord. It has brought healing and authenticity through very tough times in our families and this is why we you have been invited to join us in this venue. It is a very low key, relaxed gathering with a collaborative schedule for our activities. Each couple gets to do whatever they want and we just throw out ideas until one hits a home run. You may want to sleep in, or get up early if you are a photo buff. Some folks bring Adventure bikes, others ATV’s, SUV’s, 4x4’s, or Horses. There are opportunities for hiking and sightseeing, varmint hunting, photography, BBQ, Hot Tub'n, and so much more! We will meet there on Friday and travel back on Monday. We have one spot open for this event. Going Already this Year: John and Jaci Fairrington, Mark and Rhonda Fraker, Ryan and Angie Parker, Jeff and Nina Works, Mark and Chris Stevenson.
IMPORTANT NEW INFO FOR REGISTRATION:
The cost of lodging and coordination for 4 nights, 5 days has increased. We have increased this event by one day and the cost of this years event is $725
COVID-19 and this States interference into the everyday lives of Oregonians has just about been the end of us. It has greatly affected donations to The Redeemed Adventure Project and giving has been down substantially.
In order to continue to provide this event and other events like it we must at least cover a portion of the costs to The Redeemed Adventure Project and our personal expenses to pull these events off. (For the record. IRR - I Ride Rogue does not benefit financially in any way for this event and the intent is to provide an outlet for great adventures, with great people who we call family, and an even greater God).
We are asking each couple to register a month ahead of time using the link in the top, right-hand corner above for this event. This helps us in so many ways by simplifying, tracking, and coordinating this event. After everyone has registered we will pre-pay The Lodge at Cockrell Ranch for our Event.
COCKRELL HIGH DESERT GUEST RANCH
Nestled in the far North Eastern corner of California, in a Valley called Surprise Valley, which lies between the Warner Mountain Range to the west and the Nevada Mountains Range to the East. This Ranch & Lodging are surrounded by the beautiful panoramic views of mountains, meadows, cattle and wildlife and the true ranching traditions of a working cattle ranch. While staying at one of the ranches top quality Five Star Lodges (as stated by our guests ) you will enjoy the peacefulness that country style living has to offer. We have secured lodging for six couples. each receiving their own private Queen size bed and private room. The facilities have a fully supplied kitchen. All meals are a collaborative effort amongst the couples to meet individual dietary needs and cut costs by using the huge gas grills provided at the lodge.
Both Ranch Lodges provide really nice 10 person jacuzzis, photo opportunities, great hosts, and are the central launching points for all kinds of recreational opportunities, and exploration, ie. ADVmoto, SUV, Side by Side, and 4x4, exploration.
FUEL POINTS AND LOGISTICS
CONSIDERATIONS
IMPORTANT NEW INFO FOR REGISTRATION:
The cost of lodging and coordination for 4 nights, 5 days has increased. We have increased this event by one day and the cost of this years event is $725
COVID-19 and this States interference into the everyday lives of Oregonians has just about been the end of us. It has greatly affected donations to The Redeemed Adventure Project and giving has been down substantially.
In order to continue to provide this event and other events like it we must at least cover a portion of the costs to The Redeemed Adventure Project and our personal expenses to pull these events off. (For the record. IRR - I Ride Rogue does not benefit financially in any way for this event and the intent is to provide an outlet for great adventures, with great people who we call family, and an even greater God).
We are asking each couple to register a month ahead of time using the link in the top, right-hand corner above for this event. This helps us in so many ways by simplifying, tracking, and coordinating this event. After everyone has registered we will pre-pay The Lodge at Cockrell Ranch for our Event.
COCKRELL HIGH DESERT GUEST RANCH
Nestled in the far North Eastern corner of California, in a Valley called Surprise Valley, which lies between the Warner Mountain Range to the west and the Nevada Mountains Range to the East. This Ranch & Lodging are surrounded by the beautiful panoramic views of mountains, meadows, cattle and wildlife and the true ranching traditions of a working cattle ranch. While staying at one of the ranches top quality Five Star Lodges (as stated by our guests ) you will enjoy the peacefulness that country style living has to offer. We have secured lodging for six couples. each receiving their own private Queen size bed and private room. The facilities have a fully supplied kitchen. All meals are a collaborative effort amongst the couples to meet individual dietary needs and cut costs by using the huge gas grills provided at the lodge.
Both Ranch Lodges provide really nice 10 person jacuzzis, photo opportunities, great hosts, and are the central launching points for all kinds of recreational opportunities, and exploration, ie. ADVmoto, SUV, Side by Side, and 4x4, exploration.
FUEL POINTS AND LOGISTICS
- The Drive from Redmond is 265 miles and has ample fueling. Likewise the drive from Grants Pass, OR is 230 miles with fueling opportunities in Klamath Falls, Alturas, and Cedarville.
CONSIDERATIONS
- Check in time is 2:00 pm at Cockrell Ranch and Check out is 10:00 am. Usually they will accommodate early arrivals around 1:00 pm. We usually leave our home area's by 8:00 am and take our time, site-seeing our way over. or Grabbing Lunch at the Hearth in Cedarville. The Hearth has great food, and killer fresh baked Cinnamon Rolls, and Maple Bars so we stock up!
- The Hot Tub is to die for and we spend a lot of time raising the water level and enjoying the Surprise Valley Landscapes. Don't forget your swim attire for chunky dunk'n!
- This is the one gathering that we do each year that is geared towards helping couples relax and do whatever they want. If you want to sleep in great, if you want to go sightseeing then we collaborate on the hundreds of options available.
- Jaci and Rhonda will coordinate meal preparations ahead of our event. Once every one is registered we will contact you for meal ideas and prep. We all share in the preparations and usually bring our favorite meal and some of the basics in ice chests.
- After we arrive and determine what is still needed then we take a trip to the grocery store in Cedarville for the stuff we just can't live without, comfort food, and beverages.
- Bring everything you want to ride and at a minimum a high clearance vehicle or SUV.
- Camera's, GoPro's, weather gear, and shoe's.
- Don't forget your favorite board games, movies, books, and your spouse!
PHOTOS & VIDEOS
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OPPORTUNITIES
THE WARNER MOUNTAINS
The Warner Mountain Ranger District has breathtaking scenery and ample opportunities for hiking, backpacking, horseback riding, hunting and fishing. It offers snowcapped peaks, wilderness mountain meadows, sparkling streams, trout fishing amid scenic grandeur, a profusion of colorful flowers and shrubs, and countless birds, small animals. elk, big horn sheep, and even wolves.
BARREL SPRINGS BACKCOUNTRY BYWAY
The Barrel Springs Back Country Byway is a loop that straddles the California-Nevada border just south of Oregon. This is a road that works its way across an arid, high desert landscape filled with dry lake beds, alkali flats, old ranches and abandoned homesteads. The California segment of road is paved, the Nevada segment "natural surface" (which means dirt and gravel). If the road is dry, all of it can easily be driven by a 2WD vehicle with a bit of clearance. If the road is wet, you might want a bit more oomph in your vehicle.
FORT BIDWELL HOTEL
A backwoodsman brought some exceptionally rich samples of gold ore into Fort Bidwell in the 1860's but died shortly after. The source of his ore was never learned. Nonetheless, after the turn of the century, mining developers deduced that the samples had come from nearby Fandango Peak and Yellow Mountain and began promising rich returns on investments. Local legend has it that one of the promoters loaded a shotgun shell with small gold nuggets and shot a patch of earth with it, later leading prospectors to the area. Plans were to build a railroad down main street to carry the ore. Thus, the town enjoyed a boom in the early 1900's. The hotel was built in 1906 to house the high grade miners who'd arrived seeking riches. Fort Bidwell's gold rush didn't last long, for no rich natural deposits were ever found.
Reopened for business in the fall of 2015 after a hiatus as a residence, the hotel has been undergoing renovation. Rooms are newly carpeted and painted. The restaurant is revived and completely up to code. We continue to make improvements. The building preserves its historical old-west feel, with broad settin' porches on both levels. It's not uncommon to have breakfast guests arrive on horseback.
OBSIDIAN NEEDLE MINES
Looking for a needle in a haystack can be difficult, but not looking for a needle in the Warner Mountains. That is, if you're looking east of Davis Creek and the needles are obsidian. Obsidian is a glassy looking igneous rock which forms when lava cools very quickly. Obsidian is usually black but can range in color from clear to brown to red, with beautiful sheens glowing an iridescent green, blue, gold, pink, purple, lavender or rainbow combination. When conditions are just right the obsidian will fracture into needles. The most popular uses for these needles are delicate sounding wind chimes and jewelry, although the thinner ones can be used in acupuncture. Even with maps, a novice collector will need a goodly amount of luck, determination and faith. The needle area is signed, and public and commercial digging areas are posted. As miners seem to be everywhere, the people digging are friendly and willing to help newcomers. A high clearance vehicle is recommended if attempting to reach the needle area by driving up Lake City Canyon from the east side. From the Davis Creek side the dirt road is fine for almost any vehicle.
MODOC COUNTY
Modoc County is one of the largest counties in California. It is a hidden treasure nestled into the far northeastern corner of our state. A combination of high desert terrain and spectacular mountain ranges gives special uniqueness to the contour of the land. Modoc is gateway to the enchanting Warner Mountain Wilderness area. Imagine the bluest skies, brightest stars and over a million unspoiled acres, captivating pristine mountains, green fertile valleys, beautiful crystal clear lakes, streams, wetlands and ragged lava bed plateaus makes Modoc County truly mesmerizing. The Native Americans once called this land, “The Smiles of God.” There are 29 uncrowded, clean and simple campgrounds located in the Modoc National Forest. Many of these campgrounds are situated in the alpine elevations of 4,400-6,000 ft. and up. The highest is at 7,200 ft. and there are no campgrounds below 4,000 ft. Once you’ve settled in, you’ll discover some of the finest fishing in northeastern California. Fishing season is open year round with the exception of stream fishing which opens in April and closes in November.
For the fishing enthusiast, there are a myriad of creeks, rivers, lakes, and reservoirs that provide an abundance of native species and other game fish. In the higher elevations you’ll find rainbow trout, redband trout, brown trout, and brook trout. High plateau lakes and reservoirs hold blue gill, crappie, trout, Sacramento perch, largemouth bass, channel and bullhead catfish. Hunting in Modoc is year round as well. In March, the Annual Squirrel round-up in Surprise Valley starts the hunting season off with a bang. Spring wild turkey season follows, other upland game bird seasons begin in the in the late summer starting with Blue or Ruffed grouse and dove. Big Game hunting also begins in the late summer and runs through the fall, beginning with, Pronghorn antelope, Rocky Mountain elk, Mule deer and bear. In the late fall and winter, upland game birds and waterfowl are plentiful; fall wild turkey, pheasant, quail, chukar, and a wide variety of ducks and geese. Hunting season officially ends in late January.
If you prefer to hunt with a camera or binoculars many surprises await you. Home to the greater sand hill cranes, golden and bald eagles and a host to resident and migrating birds, Modoc is the Bird Watcher’s paradise. If you enjoy taking pictures, the mountain forests, high desert plateaus, plains, and wetlands provide habitat to a large variety of wildlife, scenic opportunities are endless and the sunrises and sunsets are magnificent, giving the photographer a chance to capture that perfect shot.
Whatever your sport, hunting , fishing, camping, backpacking, hiking, biking, horseback riding, hang gliding, kayaking, wind surfing, kite boarding, rock climbing, rock hounding, bird watching or even star gazing, Modoc is the place for the ultimate outdoor experience. In the winter locals enjoy snowmobiling, snowboarding, cross country and downhill skiing, sledding, ice skating, snow shoeing, and ice fishing. Modocer’s love this place they call home. They have wide open spaces and friendly folks there. No fancy restaurants, freeways or large shopping malls, just a little piece of heaven.
CEDARVILLE AND SURPRISE VALLEY
It's easy to understand why the area's first Native American settlers referred to this area by the phrase "The Smiles of God". With 70 percent of Modoc County remaining publicly owned, much of the forest, mountain and high desert areas haven't changed a great deal since the Paiute, Pit River ("Achumawi"), and Modoc tribes were its only inhabitants. Today, visitors will find no scarcity of recreational opportunities such as camping, fishing, hiking, cross-country skiing, hunting, wind sailing on dry lake beds, and a variety of other outdoor pursuits awaiting them in any of our four distinct seasons. Spring brings wildflowers and soaring eagles. It is a time when children gear up new 4-H projects as they look ahead to June's Junior Livestock Show, and squirrel hunters descend on local ranches where they perform a useful service while having great fun. During our relatively mild summers, residents and visitors alike move to the faster rhythms of busy ranch and community life, partake of plentiful recreational activities, and anticipate one of the year's highlights - hosting the Modoc District Fair in August. The cooler days of autumn usher in vibrant color changes in native foliage, school busses resume their far-flung routes, and hopeful hunters find a warm welcome, affordable lodging, and hearty fare in local restaurants. When the last hay has been baled and wild geese in flight fill the skies with their lonely calls, winter's peace blankets the valley and it takes on the special beauty of this quiet season.
May We Suggest? Once the snow has melted and back-country roads are safe to navigate, first-time visitors with a sense of adventure are urged to pick up a brochure at the BLM office in Cedarville, pack up a picnic lunch, and head off to experience the rugged beauty of the Great Basin. Just east of the valley, take the self-guided 93-mile Surprise Valley-Barrel Springs Byway. During your drive, you just might run into a herd of wild mustangs, elk or antelope.
Eons ago, this area of the Great Basin was covered by ancient Lake Surprise, leaving it particularly rich in geologic history. Research teams from a variety of universities have gathered to study its mysteries in recent years. Rock hounds, photographers, amateur geologists and sightseers will all delight in the area's impressive rock formations and may discover obsidian deposits, opals, fossils, or preserved signs of the valley's early settlers as they explore the vast stretches of uninhabited country nearby. Steaming hot springs and other signs of active geothermal activity dot the valley as well. If you visit us on a winter weekend, check to see if the Cedar Pass Ski Hill, with its T-bar rope tow and groomed slopes, is open.
THE HAYES RANGE, HAYES CANYON PEAK, AND DEVILS GATE.
The Hayes Canyon Range is a mostly linear, north-south trending range, variable in width, about 40 mi long. The range overlooks the linear Surprise Valley to the west; high elevation dry lakes, above 5500 ft lie to the northeast. The highpoint of the range is Hays Canyon Peak, 7,916 feet at the extreme south of the range.
SOLDIER MEADOWS HOT SPRINGS, THE BLACK ROCK DESERT, AND HIGH ROCK CANYON.
Many consider Nevada to be a paradise for remote, backcountry delight. When visiting the Black Rock-High Rock Emigrant Trails National Conservation Area, take that perception and multiply it by 100. Yes, the vastness of the desert may be intimidating to some, but for others, places like Soldier Meadows offers uninhibited freedom for off-roading zealots and hot springing enthusiasts.
Located about 4.5 hours north of Reno, and 3.5 hours south-east of Cedarville, visitors can redefine their sense of remoteness in the heart of the Black Rock High Rock Emigrant Trails National Conservation Area in Soldier Meadows. Chock full of an impressive pocket of hot springs, Soldier Meadows is sprawling with wide open ranges and differs from the other areas encompassed in the Black Rock High Rock area, like the otherworldly Black Rock Desert and High Rock Canyon.
Most of the conservation area is accessible from Soldier Meadows, including the Black Rock Playa, High Rock Canyon, Emigrant Trails, Stevens Camp and Massacre Ranch, and lends itself to incomparable ADVmoto, ATVing, hiking and backpacking, wildlife viewing, rock climbing and camping.
The area is a bit tricky to reach as it requires several hours of dirt road driving, but being able to spend the night in a free, first come-first served BLM Cabin and waking up next to a pocket of hot springs, proves worthy. There is a chance that the cabin may be occupied, but semi-primitive tent camping is welcome nearly anywhere in the area. Five are located in the Hot Creek Campground, one at the cabin site, and the last is located above Hidden Spring to the West. Keep your eyes peeled for a herd of burros, wild horses, bighorn sheep, tons of coyotes and other wildlife who call Soldier Meadows home.
If you’d like to push it a little farther, travel deeper into the conservation area with a reliable high-clearance, 4-wheel drive rig, or backpack into other BLM cabins at Stevens Camp or Massacre Ranch. Regardless of where you decide to spend the night, the stargazing in this region is unlike anything you’ve ever seen. Getting away from civilization results in almost zero light pollution—the Black Rock High Rock Emigrant Trails National Conservation Area has unmatched stargazing and is yet another place in Nevada to partake in unbelievable stargazing and astrophotography.
The Warner Mountain Ranger District has breathtaking scenery and ample opportunities for hiking, backpacking, horseback riding, hunting and fishing. It offers snowcapped peaks, wilderness mountain meadows, sparkling streams, trout fishing amid scenic grandeur, a profusion of colorful flowers and shrubs, and countless birds, small animals. elk, big horn sheep, and even wolves.
BARREL SPRINGS BACKCOUNTRY BYWAY
The Barrel Springs Back Country Byway is a loop that straddles the California-Nevada border just south of Oregon. This is a road that works its way across an arid, high desert landscape filled with dry lake beds, alkali flats, old ranches and abandoned homesteads. The California segment of road is paved, the Nevada segment "natural surface" (which means dirt and gravel). If the road is dry, all of it can easily be driven by a 2WD vehicle with a bit of clearance. If the road is wet, you might want a bit more oomph in your vehicle.
FORT BIDWELL HOTEL
A backwoodsman brought some exceptionally rich samples of gold ore into Fort Bidwell in the 1860's but died shortly after. The source of his ore was never learned. Nonetheless, after the turn of the century, mining developers deduced that the samples had come from nearby Fandango Peak and Yellow Mountain and began promising rich returns on investments. Local legend has it that one of the promoters loaded a shotgun shell with small gold nuggets and shot a patch of earth with it, later leading prospectors to the area. Plans were to build a railroad down main street to carry the ore. Thus, the town enjoyed a boom in the early 1900's. The hotel was built in 1906 to house the high grade miners who'd arrived seeking riches. Fort Bidwell's gold rush didn't last long, for no rich natural deposits were ever found.
Reopened for business in the fall of 2015 after a hiatus as a residence, the hotel has been undergoing renovation. Rooms are newly carpeted and painted. The restaurant is revived and completely up to code. We continue to make improvements. The building preserves its historical old-west feel, with broad settin' porches on both levels. It's not uncommon to have breakfast guests arrive on horseback.
OBSIDIAN NEEDLE MINES
Looking for a needle in a haystack can be difficult, but not looking for a needle in the Warner Mountains. That is, if you're looking east of Davis Creek and the needles are obsidian. Obsidian is a glassy looking igneous rock which forms when lava cools very quickly. Obsidian is usually black but can range in color from clear to brown to red, with beautiful sheens glowing an iridescent green, blue, gold, pink, purple, lavender or rainbow combination. When conditions are just right the obsidian will fracture into needles. The most popular uses for these needles are delicate sounding wind chimes and jewelry, although the thinner ones can be used in acupuncture. Even with maps, a novice collector will need a goodly amount of luck, determination and faith. The needle area is signed, and public and commercial digging areas are posted. As miners seem to be everywhere, the people digging are friendly and willing to help newcomers. A high clearance vehicle is recommended if attempting to reach the needle area by driving up Lake City Canyon from the east side. From the Davis Creek side the dirt road is fine for almost any vehicle.
MODOC COUNTY
Modoc County is one of the largest counties in California. It is a hidden treasure nestled into the far northeastern corner of our state. A combination of high desert terrain and spectacular mountain ranges gives special uniqueness to the contour of the land. Modoc is gateway to the enchanting Warner Mountain Wilderness area. Imagine the bluest skies, brightest stars and over a million unspoiled acres, captivating pristine mountains, green fertile valleys, beautiful crystal clear lakes, streams, wetlands and ragged lava bed plateaus makes Modoc County truly mesmerizing. The Native Americans once called this land, “The Smiles of God.” There are 29 uncrowded, clean and simple campgrounds located in the Modoc National Forest. Many of these campgrounds are situated in the alpine elevations of 4,400-6,000 ft. and up. The highest is at 7,200 ft. and there are no campgrounds below 4,000 ft. Once you’ve settled in, you’ll discover some of the finest fishing in northeastern California. Fishing season is open year round with the exception of stream fishing which opens in April and closes in November.
For the fishing enthusiast, there are a myriad of creeks, rivers, lakes, and reservoirs that provide an abundance of native species and other game fish. In the higher elevations you’ll find rainbow trout, redband trout, brown trout, and brook trout. High plateau lakes and reservoirs hold blue gill, crappie, trout, Sacramento perch, largemouth bass, channel and bullhead catfish. Hunting in Modoc is year round as well. In March, the Annual Squirrel round-up in Surprise Valley starts the hunting season off with a bang. Spring wild turkey season follows, other upland game bird seasons begin in the in the late summer starting with Blue or Ruffed grouse and dove. Big Game hunting also begins in the late summer and runs through the fall, beginning with, Pronghorn antelope, Rocky Mountain elk, Mule deer and bear. In the late fall and winter, upland game birds and waterfowl are plentiful; fall wild turkey, pheasant, quail, chukar, and a wide variety of ducks and geese. Hunting season officially ends in late January.
If you prefer to hunt with a camera or binoculars many surprises await you. Home to the greater sand hill cranes, golden and bald eagles and a host to resident and migrating birds, Modoc is the Bird Watcher’s paradise. If you enjoy taking pictures, the mountain forests, high desert plateaus, plains, and wetlands provide habitat to a large variety of wildlife, scenic opportunities are endless and the sunrises and sunsets are magnificent, giving the photographer a chance to capture that perfect shot.
Whatever your sport, hunting , fishing, camping, backpacking, hiking, biking, horseback riding, hang gliding, kayaking, wind surfing, kite boarding, rock climbing, rock hounding, bird watching or even star gazing, Modoc is the place for the ultimate outdoor experience. In the winter locals enjoy snowmobiling, snowboarding, cross country and downhill skiing, sledding, ice skating, snow shoeing, and ice fishing. Modocer’s love this place they call home. They have wide open spaces and friendly folks there. No fancy restaurants, freeways or large shopping malls, just a little piece of heaven.
CEDARVILLE AND SURPRISE VALLEY
It's easy to understand why the area's first Native American settlers referred to this area by the phrase "The Smiles of God". With 70 percent of Modoc County remaining publicly owned, much of the forest, mountain and high desert areas haven't changed a great deal since the Paiute, Pit River ("Achumawi"), and Modoc tribes were its only inhabitants. Today, visitors will find no scarcity of recreational opportunities such as camping, fishing, hiking, cross-country skiing, hunting, wind sailing on dry lake beds, and a variety of other outdoor pursuits awaiting them in any of our four distinct seasons. Spring brings wildflowers and soaring eagles. It is a time when children gear up new 4-H projects as they look ahead to June's Junior Livestock Show, and squirrel hunters descend on local ranches where they perform a useful service while having great fun. During our relatively mild summers, residents and visitors alike move to the faster rhythms of busy ranch and community life, partake of plentiful recreational activities, and anticipate one of the year's highlights - hosting the Modoc District Fair in August. The cooler days of autumn usher in vibrant color changes in native foliage, school busses resume their far-flung routes, and hopeful hunters find a warm welcome, affordable lodging, and hearty fare in local restaurants. When the last hay has been baled and wild geese in flight fill the skies with their lonely calls, winter's peace blankets the valley and it takes on the special beauty of this quiet season.
May We Suggest? Once the snow has melted and back-country roads are safe to navigate, first-time visitors with a sense of adventure are urged to pick up a brochure at the BLM office in Cedarville, pack up a picnic lunch, and head off to experience the rugged beauty of the Great Basin. Just east of the valley, take the self-guided 93-mile Surprise Valley-Barrel Springs Byway. During your drive, you just might run into a herd of wild mustangs, elk or antelope.
Eons ago, this area of the Great Basin was covered by ancient Lake Surprise, leaving it particularly rich in geologic history. Research teams from a variety of universities have gathered to study its mysteries in recent years. Rock hounds, photographers, amateur geologists and sightseers will all delight in the area's impressive rock formations and may discover obsidian deposits, opals, fossils, or preserved signs of the valley's early settlers as they explore the vast stretches of uninhabited country nearby. Steaming hot springs and other signs of active geothermal activity dot the valley as well. If you visit us on a winter weekend, check to see if the Cedar Pass Ski Hill, with its T-bar rope tow and groomed slopes, is open.
THE HAYES RANGE, HAYES CANYON PEAK, AND DEVILS GATE.
The Hayes Canyon Range is a mostly linear, north-south trending range, variable in width, about 40 mi long. The range overlooks the linear Surprise Valley to the west; high elevation dry lakes, above 5500 ft lie to the northeast. The highpoint of the range is Hays Canyon Peak, 7,916 feet at the extreme south of the range.
SOLDIER MEADOWS HOT SPRINGS, THE BLACK ROCK DESERT, AND HIGH ROCK CANYON.
Many consider Nevada to be a paradise for remote, backcountry delight. When visiting the Black Rock-High Rock Emigrant Trails National Conservation Area, take that perception and multiply it by 100. Yes, the vastness of the desert may be intimidating to some, but for others, places like Soldier Meadows offers uninhibited freedom for off-roading zealots and hot springing enthusiasts.
Located about 4.5 hours north of Reno, and 3.5 hours south-east of Cedarville, visitors can redefine their sense of remoteness in the heart of the Black Rock High Rock Emigrant Trails National Conservation Area in Soldier Meadows. Chock full of an impressive pocket of hot springs, Soldier Meadows is sprawling with wide open ranges and differs from the other areas encompassed in the Black Rock High Rock area, like the otherworldly Black Rock Desert and High Rock Canyon.
Most of the conservation area is accessible from Soldier Meadows, including the Black Rock Playa, High Rock Canyon, Emigrant Trails, Stevens Camp and Massacre Ranch, and lends itself to incomparable ADVmoto, ATVing, hiking and backpacking, wildlife viewing, rock climbing and camping.
The area is a bit tricky to reach as it requires several hours of dirt road driving, but being able to spend the night in a free, first come-first served BLM Cabin and waking up next to a pocket of hot springs, proves worthy. There is a chance that the cabin may be occupied, but semi-primitive tent camping is welcome nearly anywhere in the area. Five are located in the Hot Creek Campground, one at the cabin site, and the last is located above Hidden Spring to the West. Keep your eyes peeled for a herd of burros, wild horses, bighorn sheep, tons of coyotes and other wildlife who call Soldier Meadows home.
If you’d like to push it a little farther, travel deeper into the conservation area with a reliable high-clearance, 4-wheel drive rig, or backpack into other BLM cabins at Stevens Camp or Massacre Ranch. Regardless of where you decide to spend the night, the stargazing in this region is unlike anything you’ve ever seen. Getting away from civilization results in almost zero light pollution—the Black Rock High Rock Emigrant Trails National Conservation Area has unmatched stargazing and is yet another place in Nevada to partake in unbelievable stargazing and astrophotography.