Deep Creek Hot Springs

Deep Creek Hot Springs
Map showing the location of Deep Creek Hot Springs
Location San Bernardino County, California, USA
Nearest city Hesperia
Coordinates 34°20′22″N 117°10′37″W / 34.33944°N 117.17694°WCoordinates: 34°20′22″N 117°10′37″W / 34.33944°N 117.17694°W
Governing body San 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 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] Water from the creek or pools is not advised for consumption without treatment or filtering, and bringing sufficient drinking water is advised.[1] Freedom Trail reaches Deep Creek Hot Springs, and The Pacific Crest Trail along the creek crosses the area.[1]

Directions

or

from the L.A. area take the 15 fwy north exit main st turn right and go 7.1 miles and turn left onto to rock springs rd. as you pass Kiowa rd., rock springs turn into round up way, continue on round up way another 2 miles, the road turns from pavement to dirt. Zero out your odometer when the road turn to dirt and continue on to Bowen ranch road (JF3310), make a right onto Bowen ranch rd. you will come to one big fork in the road just stay to your right and keep driving at about 4.7 mi you’ll pass round mountain ranch and cross over a cattle guard . At around 6 miles you will come up on a fork in the road, the entrance to Bowen ranch on the left and the road to freedom trail on the right (JF 4325). The road to the right looks really scary but it’s not that bad and it’s only that bad in the beginning. Any suv or med to high clearance vehicle will be fine even small cars can do this if they drive smart. At around at 7 miles you will come up on a fork in the rd. keep left onto (JF 3320) at around 7.5 miles the barbwire fence will come up on your left again the road goes uphill and at about 8 miles starts downhill, take this slow it’s a little tricky and rough. The next left will be coming up shortly after at around 8.3 miles, continue on around 8.7miles you’ll come to the last tough spot a small uphill stay to the right and keep moving the parking area is another 100 yards down the hill 8.8 mi and the trail begins to the right . It’s a very easy trail to follow but a little steep challenging just like Bowen ranch only 1 mile to the hot springs and no ridiculous fee of $5 per person. Please know your limits bring and plenty of water.

Regulations

The Deep Creek Hot Springs regulations include:[1]

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 "San Bernardino National Forest, Deep Creek Hot Springs". Retrieved 2010-06-10.
  2. ↑ "SDNHM - Arroyo Toad". San Diego Natural History Museum. Retrieved 2011-10-22.
  3. ↑ Discussion with Ranger - this is actually 10 miles up steam from Deep Creek Hot Springs.

External links