Unnamed Thermal Spring
This unnamed 70°F spring emerges 971 meters from Midas Road at 4,380 feet elevation in Humboldt County, flowing just 16.3 degrees above the 53.7-degree ambient temperature with USGS analysis revealing extremely low calcium at 2.0 mg/L, zero magnesium, and elevated sodium at 620 mg/L.
Located on BLM Humboldt River Field Office land, the spring sits in high desert receiving 9.8 inches of precipitation and 22.3 inches of snowfall annually. Recent USGS measurements documented 21°C water temperature with chemistry showing moderate sulfate at 98 mg/L and chloride at 46 mg/L. The landscape consists of sagebrush-covered rangeland where federal multiple-use policies allow grazing and mineral development alongside public access.
No documented name or development history exists for this spring near Winnemucca. The site appears to have remained in natural state, cataloged during government surveys but not developed for recreation or commercial purposes.
Access requires a half-mile walk from Midas Road across open BLM land. The modest temperature barely qualifies as thermal, though the distinct chemistry confirms geothermal origin. Spring and fall provide the most comfortable visiting conditions. Verify current land use restrictions with the Humboldt River Field Office before visiting.