Collar And Elbow Spring
Collar and Elbow Spring flows at 93°F in White Pine County at 5,900 feet elevation, emerging 43 degrees above the ambient temperature of 50°F. The spring sits just 20 meters from a road near McGill, providing roadside access to water naturally suited for bathing with minimal temperature adjustment. The unusual name distinguishes this thermal feature from Nevada's many generic "hot springs" designations.
The spring emerges in mountain terrain where elevation brings substantially more precipitation than lower Nevada basins, with 10.5 inches of rain and 34.3 inches of snow falling annually. At 5,900 feet, the landscape supports scattered pinyon pines and juniper trees along with mountain shrub communities, creating habitat diversity uncommon in the state's sagebrush seas. The roadside location offers immediate access to thermal water without the long approaches required at more remote springs. Surrounding peaks and ridges define a classic basin-and-range topography sculpted by millions of years of crustal extension.
The name Collar and Elbow refers to a wrestling hold popular in 19th-century America, suggesting the spring may have been a gathering spot for miners or cowboys who engaged in recreational wrestling matches. Alternatively, the name could describe some physical feature of the spring's structure, perhaps where two water sources merge in an intertwined fashion. White Pine County saw intensive mining activity from the 1860s onward, with McGill developing as a copper smelter town in 1906. Springs served as vital water sources throughout this settlement period.
The roadside location and 93°F temperature make this spring accessible and usable with minimal preparation year-round, though winter access depends on road conditions at nearly 6,000 feet elevation. Snow typically covers the ground from December through March, with the 34-inch annual snowfall creating beautiful but challenging winter conditions. Spring and fall offer ideal visiting weather, with warm days and cool nights. Check on existing pool conditions before visiting, as development status varies over time depending on user maintenance and spring flow.
Is Collar And Elbow Spring worth visiting?
Best for
- Warm-water soaking
- Easy day trips