It's hard to tell. But both are close and there are signs.
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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?
Last time I went there your Toyota would have been able to handle it.
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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.
Most of us do. If you want to be safer, get yourself a SPOT.
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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?
Mountain lions are there. But I wouldn't get too worried about them.
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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).
Quite a few hot springs in the Mammoth Lakes area. The hot ditch part of Keough Hot Springs near Bishop is good too.
