Re: Detailed driving directions/DCHS Ruined?

I just celebrated 40 years of hiking to Deep Creek Hot Springs and except for the few years when the creek and hot springs were off limits while the environment recovered from the disastrous Willow Fire, I've hiked there several, on up to many times a year since my first visit. I have news for you..... From 1970 to now a small but regular number of the DCHS visiting population have been various assholes, litterers, trail destroying dirt bikers, predators, pedophiles, gun freaks, bullies, tweakers and even murderous sociopaths (I count Charlie Manson and his band of dangerous nut jobs who frequented DCHS in the 60's and part of 1970).

In 1970 a group of about 60-75 people including infants and toddlers did set up camp (more like a commune) at the springs and despite their promises to love the land, Mother Nature and maybe Baby Jesus, in short time piles of trash accumulated and openly disposed body waste fouled the environment. Complaints to the Forest Service helped the situation and a task force of FS, BLM and SB Sheriff Deputies swept through the area one summer morning and marched the miscreants off the land.

Now the Forest Service, BLM and law enforcement agencies all suffer from lack of funding and official visits to the hot springs are few. The owner/manager/enforcer of the Bowen Ranch, a Mr. Mike Castro, has rarely, if ever, actually been seen visiting the hot springs, although he claims a regular presence there.

Trying to uphold the law with litterers, off road motorcyclists, offensive predators and other violators without being an official with government clout and enough people to assist with the difficult tasks protecting the Creek and Hot Springs environment is a difficult and, frankly, dangerous situation.