I went today, Friday, 11-5. I've never been to DCHS in the autumn, it was so beautiful there as Wizard described. The leaves just starting to fall when the wind blows through. All golden and aflame.
Haven't been to DCHS since August. New: the road is in much worse shape than the summer, did not enjoy it in my two-wheel drive low-slung car, but made it OK there and back. New: Bowen Ranch has posted new and very clear signage about their rules and such.
Free hiked down to the springs around 9 am. Passed no one. Upon arrival, there was a couple in the Arizona pool, and a guy shaving his head in the pool below the Womb. Hmmm. He and his buddies had been there since the night before; his buddies pretty drunk still it seemed, one passed out on the beach and burnt to a crisp, the others kept yelling and hollering all morning for little reason that I could see. Wished for a "mute" button for the springs.
Took a hike up to the beach with the waterfalls, had it to myself for about an hour. Later in the day, about 15 people arrived to the springs. Everyone was quite mellow, and with one or two exceptions, almost everyone was skinnydipping or nude. Even a bunch of young college kids from FIDM in LA. Real good vibes at the springs today as the day wore on. Most everyone hanging in the Womb pool (which is not all that warm anymore it seems to me, no more direct sun really). I had a real connection going in the Womb pool with....a completely gorgeous long-haired German .... Shepherd named "Doggie." Really beautiful dog, the only one there today, and just sitting on a ledge in the Womb for about an hour, making eye contact with everyone and chilling out!
One almost-story: As I hiked out, I passed the couple that had been in the Arizona pool when I arrived, also hiking out. They were going slow. I stopped to talk with them, and the guy kind of quieted me: "There is a mountain lion in that bush over there," he related. I didn't see it, but they had, and were waiting for it to show itself again.
Many people at the springs today called this day the "last hurrah" -- last summer-like day perhaps? last day of longer sunshine before daylight savings?