Wambolt Springs
Wambolt Springs flows at 70°F in White Pine County at 5,950 feet elevation, running just 19 degrees above the 51°F ambient temperature. Recent USGS measurements show water at 18.5°C with neutral pH of 7.5 and balanced chemistry, making this a marginally thermal feature located 195 meters from the nearest road.
The spring sits at 5,950 feet in terrain where annual precipitation totals 9.8 inches and snowfall averages 34.1 inches. The surrounding landscape features sagebrush communities with scattered pinyon-juniper woodland, typical of White Pine County's mid-elevation slopes. The spring's discharge supports limited riparian vegetation including willows and grasses that create a green strip against the drier upland vegetation matrix.
The name references sagebrush, known locally as 'wambolt' in some Nevada ranching districts, indicating the dominant vegetation type surrounding the spring. The thermal feature likely served as a reliable livestock watering point during the ranching era that spread across these uplands in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Current use appears limited to wildlife and occasional recreational visitors.
The short 195-meter walk from the road crosses open sagebrush country that can be hot in summer and muddy during spring snowmelt. Visit from May through October for best access conditions. The 70-degree water temperature makes this suitable for observing rather than bathing. Carry adequate water, as the spring's low flow and mineral content require treatment for drinking. Ely provides services approximately 25 kilometers north.
The water at Wambolt Springs is slightly alkaline (pH 7.5).