CA - Parks - 04/2009 (Part IV)

After dropping Matthew off in San Diego, I head back north and make my way toward Deep Creek Hot Springs. Most natural hot springs in the state are tucked away in remote canyons or deep forests and call for some serious back country orienting and hiking to uncover. Deep Creek Hot Springs is no exception. It's wedged in a canyon in the arid foothills of Round Mountain, about 10 miles south of Apple Valley. It is a series of outdoor hot spring pools located in a high desert canyon, nestled on the banks of Deep Creek in the Bernardino National Forest.

Hot springs flow directly from fissures in the rocks that line Deep Creek. The 108º mineral water is captured in several volunteer built, rock-lined pools that vary in size and temperature. The main hot pool is right below the source, and several other pools offer bathing opportunities closer to the creek. This area offers a fresh breath of pristine wilderness, and visitors continue to do a great job of keeping it clean.

These natural hot springs are located in the San Bernardino National Forest. The pools were built by volunteers over a period of years and are largely maintained by volunteers in the pristine state you see them in today. The beautiful and unique landscape, the soothing hot spring waters mixing with the cool mountain stream, local custom and tradition make for a wonderful setting to be enjoyed by all. Since the time Native Americans inhabited the area, people from all over the world have come to the Springs to get away, soak, sunbathe, relax, and enjoy the natural environment all year long.

I believe this pool is called The Womb. It is over 6 feet deep and very nice!!!

The next pool is the Wizard Pool.

It's a bout 3 feet deep and just about perrrrrfect. That's me in shadow.



The name of this pool, which is down by the river, escapes me.

My trip is about done, and I head back to LAX for the flight home. Happy trails, I mean soaks.