Deep Creek Hot Springs

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Deep Creek Hot Springs
Map showing the location of Deep Creek Hot Springs
Map showing the location of Deep Creek Hot Springs
LocationSan Bernardino County, California, USA
Nearest cityHesperia
Coordinates34°20′22″N 117°10′37″W / 34.33944°N 117.17694°W / 34.33944; -117.17694Coordinates: 34°20′22″N 117°10′37″W / 34.33944°N 117.17694°W / 34.33944; -117.17694
Governing bodySan Bernardino National Forest,
United States Forest Service
The main Hot Pool, there is a smaller one below about 31⁄2ft. wide and 6 to 7 feet long and 2ft. deep it's called "The Crab Cooker" for a very good reason !
Deep Creek Hot Springs: the Upper Main Pool, fed by hot springs.

Deep Creek Hot Springs, DCHS, are natural hot springs located in the northern Mojave Desert section of the San Bernardino National Forest, near Hesperia in San Bernardino County, Southern California.[1]

Geography[]

The springs are in the rain shadowed desert foothills of the San Bernardino Mountains on the Deep Creek fork of the Mojave River. They are in a large bouldered riparian zone, surrounded by a rich habitat ecotone of the xeric shrublands—desert chaparral, montane chaparral and piñon-juniper woodlands, and conifer forest plant communities.[1]

The Southwestern Arroyo Toad—Bufo californicus, an endangered species, lives along Deep Creek.[1][2]

Recreation[]

Deep Creek Hot Springs, being located next to Deep Creek, provides both hot and cold water locations for clothing optional bathing. The site is managed by the San Bernardino National Forest[1] and is maintained by a volunteer group, the Deep Creek Volunteers.[3] Water from the creek or pools is not advised for consumption. The hot pools contain a rare and sometimes fatal disease called primary amoebic meningoencephalitis.[4] Very high fecal coliform counts are found in the hot springs as well.[4]

Hiking Trails[]

There are three main hiking routes to reach the Hot Springs.

  • Bowen Ranch / Freedom Trail - the shortest route at approximately two miles each way.[5]
  • Bradford Ridge Path - 2.6 mile one-way trip from the south.[6]
  • Pacific Crest Trail - the PCT goes through Deep Creek Hot Springs and can be reached from the Lake Arrowhead area, 6 miles each way.[7]

Regulations[]

Deep Creek Hot Springs in 2019

The Deep Creek Hot Springs regulations include:[1]

  • Closed to the public from sundown to sunrise.
  • No camping is permitted within 1-mile (1.6 km) of Deep Creek or on Federal Land within 1-mile (1.6 km) of a developed campground.
  • Public nudity is common and permitted at the hot springs, but not permitted within 1/4 mile of 'T-6 crossing', located 6 miles upstream near Splinter's Cabin. [8]
  • No fires campfires allowed in the Deep Creek drainage basin, gas/propane fueled stoves only.
  • No glass containers permitted within 1-mile (1.6 km) of Deep Creek.
  • Pack out everything you packed in and more. Leave no trace and leave it better than you found it!
  • State designated Wild Trout Stream, the Deep Creek Scenic Wild Trout Area.
    • Limit two fish. Must be eight inches (203 mm) or larger.
    • Artificial Lures or Flies with barbless hooks only.

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ a b c d e "San Bernardino National Forest, Deep Creek Hot Springs". Archived from the original on 2011-07-28. Retrieved 2010-06-10.
  2. ^ "SDNHM - Arroyo Toad". San Diego Natural History Museum. Archived from the original on 2001-04-13. Retrieved 2011-10-22.
  3. ^ "Welcome to Deep Creek Volunteers". www.deepcreekvolunteers.com. Retrieved 2019-06-06.
  4. ^ a b "USDA - Deep Creek Hot Springs".
  5. ^ "Directions to Deep Creek Hot Springs - DeepCreekVolunteers.com". www.deepcreekvolunteers.com. Retrieved 2019-06-06.
  6. ^ "The Best Deep Creek Hot Springs Hike". HikingGuy.com. 2019-06-06. Retrieved 2019-06-06.
  7. ^ "Deep Creek Hot Springs to PCT". AllTrails.com. Retrieved 2019-06-06.
  8. ^ USFS website- T-6 crossing.

External links[]

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