advice, help, info.....

I just had a few questions, if anyone could help me out that would be great!

I'm secretly planning a Valentines day hike/picnic for my husband and I. While researching different new trails I came across the deep creek hot springs. Seems like a great idea for a date, But I've never been so I have no idea what to expect.

We are from Running Springs, we have lived here for a few years and have never been to the hot springs. We have been to Deep Creek before but in a different area. We hike often, but we usually hike with our 2 daughters. Although even with them we have hiked all the way up to the tallest lift at snow Valley which is almost 8000 feet up.

so my questions are.....

Do we have to go the Bowen Ranch Route? It seems out of the way for us, I rather come around Lake Arrowhead and cut over east from the 173. I've seen a "Bradford Ridge Path" any details you could give me for that route? Oh and we have an old Jeep with "part time 4 wheel drive" if need be.

I've heard of going through freezing cold water to get to the springs....which route is that!? (it's doesn't seem like a good idea in winter)

Will it be warm enough? Do the hot springs stay really hot all year? Like spa hot? Even if it happens to snow by then. (doubtful, but you never know.)