The major feature of this basin which might be attractive to humans would be its hot springs. The water that comes to the surface is boiling, so one should not place any body parts in any of the pools! Signs warn of the danger of falling through the surface crust surrounding any of the pools........walk with care. In addition, several of the pools or cracks periodically spout steam or small, geyser-like splashes of water, which can burn anyone foolish enough to get close. The springs are all elevated, and seem to only be temporary, as evidenced by the numerous inactive holes in the ground (many used by wildlife as homes). The small amounts of steaming water form small trickles which then support smallmarshes of rushes and sedges which like alkaline conditions.

Also be aware that this area is very exposed to the elements, with the nearest trees many miles away. During windy conditions, the alkaline dust is blown into biting dust storms, easily supplied with soil from both the Alvord and Mickey Basins, as well as from loose soil found interspersed with the plants of the shrub-scrub above the alkaline playas.

Oval-leaved Buckwheat: Eriogonum ovalifolium var. (ovalifolium or celsum)- yellow flowers

Sheepfat: Atriplex confertifolia

Spiny Hopsage: Atriplex spinosa

Princesplume: Stanleya species

Cleomella: Cleomella macbrideana

Specklepod Milk-vetch: Astragalus lentiginosus

Sand Dune Penstemon: Penstemon acuminatus var. accuminatus (gone to seed)

Gray Horse-brush: Tetradymia canescens

Black-tailed Jackrabbits

Least Chipmunk

Antelope Ground Squirrel

Meadowlarks

Burrowing Owls

Mourning Dove

Turkey Vulture

Common Nighthawk