I recently discovered Deep Creek Hot Springs, and absolutely love it. I'm now looking for some variety, and came across several recommendations online for Big Caliente and Little Caliente. I have a few questions.
1) For my own driving directional purposes, I'm trying to find Big Caliente and Little Caliente on Googlemaps
1a) Is this Big Caliente?
1b) Is this Little Caliente?
2) I drive a Toyota Corolla, i.e., not a high-clearance vehicle. Most stuff I've read about Big/Little Caliente from google searching around seems to suggest that driving to Little Caliente in a anything other than an SUV is a really bad idea (I'm already planning to hike to Little Caliente from here, via the route described here.). How about Big Caliente? Driveable in a Corolla, or better to park farther back (where?) and hike the road in?
3) Even though I know it's generally not a bright idea, I tend to solo-hike a lot, simply because I don't have enough friends who are also interested in doing serious hikes. However, my googling around hit several things that suggest that there are quite a few cougars in this region of the Los Padres National Forest, so hiking alone around this area = not a good idea. Just one hysterical person on the internet, or a serious concern about this place?
4) Any other hot springs suggestions? I prefer natural, rustic places like Deep Creek. Not interested in overpriced and paved spas with their own hotels and shopping malls. I live in LA, so I'm interested in places that can be done in a day's drive from LA (am willing to wake up early).
Thanks!
Joel