To be clear ! It is 2.9 miles from the parking lot near the concrete bridge on HWY. 173 to the springs if you take the LEFT turn just past the wire fence. It is 2.7 miles when you take the RIGHT turn there. I have gone that way dozens of times and several times with my GPS reciever. Unlike calidev I am in excellent shape. At least that is what my doctor said. It takes me 30 - 40 minuets to go down and @ 1 hour to get back. I have even jogged it all the way down a few times, that took me just over 21 minuets.
Have a fun hike. It's worth it just to stay in shape.