The last week of October will be our second annual fall camping and rock hunting expedition to B.R. and vacinity. last year we went in with the Green Hornet (97 3/4 ton 2WD Chevy), the Fort (4-Wheel pop up camper) and three dogs. Spent 4 nights between Susanville, Gerlach, Denio, Cedarville, then home to Chico. My wife is a jewlery artist and likes to look for rocks for her jewlery. She isn't a real "rock hound" just knows what she likes. My role is support, ie. shlepping the rocks she likes.

This year we have added a Yamaha Rhino (Ronnie) to the equation as last year we found that the Green Hornet was not up top getting to some of the places we wanted to go. Our intention is to base camp and then venture out with the Rhino to explore and maybe find some "jewelry" rocks.

Last year we stopped at a mine on the west side of Soldier Meadows road closer to Soldier Meadows than Gerlach. I'll recognize it when I see it. We talked to a guy who's mine it was and had a camping area below the mine. We would have stayed but the Green Hornet's 2WD wouldn't have made it into the mine. That was probably the justification I needed to get the Rhino.

I'm a little anxious about the weather. Last year we went the first week of October and all went well. But two weeks can make a big difference so I'll be watching the weather closely. Also we will be pulling the Rhino on a 12' single axle trailer so I'll have to be cautious on where we go.

At any rate we absolutely love to dirt camp in Black Rock and are captivated by the beauty of the whole area. I'm sure glad I stumbled on this web site. So if you have any advise about our upcoming trip... advise on!