The rain could have messed it up.That trail is too long for me and I got lost on it once going back. Ended up at a bridge and was way off the trail. I must have hiked 15 miles total and could barley walk the next day.by juliankaye - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Poor guy, 83 years old. I am in my late 50's and am in pretty good shape. Hiking into the springs after 70 seems like a bad idea, especially in the hot weather.by juliankaye - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Any large group who dominates the springs and leaves trash is awful no matter what language they speak. Curious where they park and how grandma makes the hike in.by juliankaye - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
parked at Bowen around 12. just 2 other cars. hiked in, seeing nobody along the way. just a few people there. contemplation pool was less than half full. I was the only nude person, maybe 12 people total. a few were hikers passing through. Did meet a nice young lady from Chicago who was part of a hike. Nice relaxing day, hiked out around 3. Did pass a couple small groups heading in as I hiked outby juliankaye - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Parked at Bowen ranch about 1230 and hiked in. Nice weather, passed a few people leaving on the way in. Lots of people, not too crowded though. Nice crowd, 50/50 nude and mellow. Somebody had pulled the plug out of the Contemplation pool and it was slowly refilling. Nice chat with a beautiful young lady in the Arizona pool. Nice day, hiked out about 4.by juliankaye - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
I know the new Bowen is odd at first. You go to the left and you can drive down pretty far to the fence. There is a couple of routes down to the old trail from there. I use the boat as a marker and go from there. Was Bowen 5 or 10 dollars ? I paid 5 the last couple of times but I haven't been this year yet.by juliankaye - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Had to get to the springs, it had been too long. Big surprise, Bowen ranch gate closed when I arrived around 10. Went to the new lot and paid the 10 dollars. Got a receipt for my tax write off for free hiking expenses. It was cool, being in the old parking spot and the road was smooth. Hiked down on a beautiful day. Springs were not crowded. Mostly young and there was maybe 15 percent nude and moby juliankaye - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Put very wellby juliankaye - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Mike was open and in good spirits. He added a second parking area closer to the springs. I asked the lady who works for him on the way out about their competition and she said they were closed and trying to get permits for their plans. I did not leave after my encounter with the idiots. The hammocks they set up over the contemplation pool made it impossible to pass by the pool. you had to go arouby juliankaye - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Parked at the ranch about 10 and hiked in to the springs. It was horrible, tents everywhere. At the beach when you first get to the springs there were 5 tents. There was a group of idiots at the contemplation pool that had 2 tents and 2 hammocks spread across the pool so they and their group of 5 or so could completely dominate that area and nobody else could use the pools. I gave them and the idby juliankaye - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Parked at the ranch for 5 dollars and there were not many cars. Hiked down and never saw another hiker. I did notice hikers coming from the Bradford trail as I was arriving. Nice day, weather was perfect and it was nice to spend the day with people who didn't seem afraid. No masks anywhere. Mostly young crowd, but all seemed cool. 80-20 clothed but that is usually the case with the young crowd. Iby juliankaye - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
they are not closed because they are not run by the government. I bet Bowen will let you park for 5 dollars or you can use the Bradford Ridge trail that is kind of a tough hike as I get older but is for sure open to hike.by juliankaye - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Our President is not the one who has told us to stay home. It is Newson and Garetti. It is a state issue. The President can lay out guidelines, as he has. Glad he is in charge. Deep creek is not closed because it is not a public park or trail that the county or state control. if somebody wants to go for a hike in their own and stay away from people then they are not doing a thing wrong. In fact tby juliankaye - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
funny, enjoy your Ian Anderson songs, I am heading out for a bike ride.by juliankaye - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
I say enjoy the outdoors and just follow the 6 foot rule. We need to live life. I know I do.by juliankaye - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Nice report, I still prefer the Bowen Ranch because it is 5 dollars. 10 per person is a rip off to me. But as the consumer competition is good.by juliankaye - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
And from what I was told on Saturday, he is only charging 5 per person.by juliankaye - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Hiked in from the Bradford Ridge trail. Maybe 6 cars parked there. It was around 10. Took me about 1 hour to hike in to the springs. It seems most of the people that I talked to had parked at Castro's place and only paid 5 dollars. I talked to one couple who had parked at the new place and paid the 10.00. For me 5 at Castro's is the bargain. Anyway , I paid 0. Very nice crowd, mostly young and maby juliankaye - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
There may be a time where everyone wants Mike back. I actually never had a problem with him or the lady who was there. My main complaint is the 10 dollars for either spot to park. That I believe will keep the crowds down.. Since I come from LA I may keep taking the Bradford Ridge. Shorter drive, no dirt roads and more of a workout. It seems to me that that way will keep getting more popular. Timeby juliankaye - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
I agree, if it becomes too big of a commercial deal, if will f things up. Lets hope not. maybe the fact that the hike is pretty tough for most people will keep the crowds down. Waiting for the weather to hit above 70 and I will make a visit. I mean too much commercial may effect our ability to hike nude. Are the new people fine with nudity at the parking area?by juliankaye - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
All sounds like good news. Maybe there will be a price war and we can get the price back down to 5 dollars. Last time I went I took the Bradford trail. Not bad, in fact the hike in was cool. I really screwed up on the way out and took the PCT by mistake. I was just hiking along like a dummy and ended up by some bridge? I even crossed it thinking it would end up near the other trail. No it didn't.by juliankaye - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Since I live in LA and the 10 dollars to park at the ranch seems too much I am going to try the Bradford Trail. Is it ok to free hike that trail from the beginning? Thanks for any info.by juliankaye - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Hiked down from the ranch last Friday. Not many cars, maybe 8. Nice crowd, mostly in swimsuits, mostly 20's. The contemplation poll was drained. I saw a branch that looked like a plug and put it in the drain on the inside. Didn't make a great seal but it started to fill a little. My attempt to fill it really didn't work. There was sort of an odd smell coming from the pool, not real strong, but noby juliankaye - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Well I answered my own question. Went on 4/1 and it was a nice day. 70's, no wind....perfect nude hike weather. The stream was very crossable, a little bit of a current but not a problem. All the pools were nice except the Arizona pool, which is under the stream a bit and cooler than usual. Nice mellow crowd, was tempted to try some pot for the first time in 18 years by a very cool couple, butby juliankaye - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Thanks, well if the price I pay in crossing the stream is some shrinkage, not a problem. I know that when I cross , I will be able to dip into one of the hot tubs and the rejuvenation in all areas will be immediate. In fact, if there are some lovely ladies present that would even add some power to my rejuvenation.by juliankaye - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Great comment, yes, that is one reason for sure. Besides that I do not like the cold and to be naked in it is the worst. I remember hiking out nude once and it was cold and the wind and rain were both hitting me in the face and it was f ing horrible.by juliankaye - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Hi, just looking for some info on the water level and flow for the crossing from the Bowen Ranch? My free hiking rule number 1 is that the weather be in the 70's or above and we have finally reached that.by juliankaye - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
My first thought on the new rules at the ranch entrance are that they are all good. The extra 5 bucks sort of sucks, but it may keep some of the idiots out.by juliankaye - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
I remember there was a raft and a rope some years ago. You could sit in the raft and pull yourself across. I did this after the weather had warmed up and the water was still flowing good, but not raging. I just remember how cold the water felt on my butt going across. muy frio !!!!by juliankaye - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
any advise on the best trail to ride in to the springs on my mountain bike. I know the trail from the ranch and the bradord trail. I free hike from the ranch in the warm weather. Too cold for that now. So is there maybe a longer , flatter route I am not aware of?by juliankaye - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California