Warning: This area is VERY remote. I can't even imagine what the tow bill would be to get them out here to pull you out of the mud. There was lots of it when we were here. Also, Water is scarce, and most of what there is is way too salty. There is a well at the cache site that had clean water coming up a pipe, but I don't know if it lasts all year. It might though. After all the alkaline water dries, the best way to the cache is out there, on the playa. You might even be able to drive to within a few feet of the cache, and break a speed record too!
After Mickey Hot Springs, it's 2.5 miles to the road that goes on the West side of the lake bed. The main road, I use the term loosely, goes up the East side and they do reconnect on the North side, and it goes all the way to Hwy. 95. Up the West side we went 1.2 miles further til we ran into mud that there was no going around. From pics I've seen, these springs keep the road muddy all year. From here we headed out on foot along the road. Quickly we realized going would be much faster and easier on the lake shore. Splinterkitten wanted to run out on the dried up lake bed, so we let her. Out there seemed even easier so we went about 100 yards off shore and made a bee line to the ruins. As we went, the dried up lake became not so dry. We started dodging wet spots and the ground became very muddy and sticky. We never sank into it, but the walk became more a cardio workout. Going along, we noticed a thin strip of water between us and the shore becoming less thin, and more worryingly, more of a lake at the North end. So after about a mile of this I decided to try and cross the water at a narrow point. To my surprise and Splinterkitten's delight, it was only 2 or 3 inches deep. She spent the rest of the time running, sliding, and making mud pies in the very salty water. Another mile of shore got us to the ruins of this cabin. 3 walls and the fireplace are still standing, but not much else. there's also a well pipe with water coming out next to it with what probably was a cistern that filled in. It creates a green yard that it strangely out of place here among the sage and emptiness. Even a dandelion blooming. Can you imagine what it must have been like to have this as your only shelter way out here? Even calling this home? There did used to be another cabin called Mickey Cabin at the fork in the road, as well as the old corral. This may have been an out building for keeping an eye on the cattle, or sheep. What do you think? Have fun, and please be safe. Post lots of pics of your adventure getting here, too!