Wambolt Springs

White Pine County, Nevada · Near Ely
38.6330°N, 114.6380°W · 5,950 ft
70°F 5,950 ft Short Walk
Aerial view of the ground around Wambolt Springs

The orange dot marks the spring, in a frame about three quarters of a mile wide.

Wambolt Springs sits in White Pine County some forty-five miles from Ely. Tepid water, about seventy degrees. The landowner is not recorded and nothing on file says who may visit. A USGS sample from April 1985 showed neutral water with the standard run of dissolved salts. Ely, the nearest city on file, is a long run for a tepid spring.

Location

A tenth of a mile from a road without a recorded name, barely a walk at all. High basin country. Close to three feet of snow in a winter and a dry year at about ten inches. Camping: nothing on file, and the same goes for land unit and owner.

The three winter months rate highest, though tepid water gives no warmth in the cold. Nobody on record says who owns it or who may visit; ask before you go. No fee recorded. The chemistry dates from 1985, and nothing says when the temperature was read.

Terrain

USGS hasn't flown a detailed laser scan here yet, so this view comes from aerial photos and older elevation data.

Setting
Open ground
Flat, open ground all around.
Highest ground nearby
60 ft above the spring
Within a quarter mile, to the northwest
Cross-section through the spring

A slice through the ground from northwest to southeast, about 0.6 miles end to end.

Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.

Heat Below
121 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's about twice the US average of 65. It's higher than at 72% of the springs on this site.

Heat flow measures the warmth working its way up through the ground from deep inside the earth. Where it runs high, rain and snowmelt that seep down through cracks in the rock come back up hot.

Heat flow estimate: Stanford Thermal Earth Model (Aljubran & Horne, 2024), CC BY 4.0.

Monthly Climate
28°
Jan
30°
Feb
39°
Mar
49°
Apr
58°
May
72°
Jun
78°
Jul
76°
Aug
67°
Sep
53°
Oct
40°
Nov
28°
Dec
Annual Precip: 9.8 in Annual Snow: 34.1 in
Best Time to Visit
January Air 28°F · Water 70°F · +43° contrast
December Air 28°F · Water 70°F · +42° contrast
February Air 30°F · Water 70°F · +40° contrast
January offers 51°F more contrast than July
Water Chemistry Sampled 1985-04-04

The water at Wambolt Springs is slightly alkaline (pH 7.5).

pH 7.5 Slightly Alkaline
pH influences mineral absorption through skin
Calcium 45 mg/L
May support bone density and joint health
Magnesium 18 mg/L
Known for muscle relaxation and stress relief
Sodium 5 mg/L
Supports circulation and skin hydration
Sulfate 12 mg/L
Traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation
Chloride 6 mg/L
Natural antiseptic with skin health benefits
Mile-High Advisory 5,950 ft

Wambolt Springs sits at 5,950 feet above sea level, way above the mile-high mark. You may not feel the altitude strongly, but hot water still dehydrates you faster at elevation. UV is about 24% stronger than at sea level, so bring sunscreen and drink more water than you normally would.

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Temperature
70°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 70°F (21°C)
Avg Air Temp 51°F
Above Ambient +19°F
Mild soaking conditions September
Access
Road Access Short Walk
Distance to Road 0.1 mi
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Wambolt Springs?
Wambolt Springs has a water temperature of 70°F (21°C). This is a warm thermal spring.
Where is Wambolt Springs located?
Wambolt Springs is located in White Pine County, Nevada at 5,950 feet elevation, near Ely. Coordinates: 38.6330°N, 114.6380°W.
How do I get to Wambolt Springs?
Wambolt Springs has Short Walk road access (0.1 mi from the road).
What minerals are in the water at Wambolt Springs?
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride. The pH is 7.5 (slightly alkaline).
Sources: USGS NWIS