Thanks Rick for moving this to an appropriate location...I should have posted there in the first place, but as you know, the postings there don't have the volume that the Deep Creek forum has.by Paul P. - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Thanks for posting the minutes from a very productive meeting! I was curious- does anyone send the minutes to Ranger Brad Burns? I didn't know if it was appropriate.by Paul P. - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Thanks Mojave! That's a great link.. I'll try and plot out maps 69 and 72 if I can get some free time this week...by Paul P. - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Thank you! I'd like to see some of the other BLM maps that include alternatives besides the No-Build/No Action.by Paul P. - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Mojave, is the road to the parking lot you are referring to the straight red line below SV0923?by Paul P. - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
California Riding & Hiking Trail In 1944, through the interest of many individuals a California Riding and Hiking Trails Project Committee was established to initiate development of a statewide trail system. The 1945 Legislature approved the California Riding and Hiking Trail Bill which became Law under Chapter 1469, Statutes of 1945, and signed by Gov. Earl Warren. Responsibilityby Paul P. - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Thanks for posting the map, Rick. With a 40 by 30 size, it printed out nice on my plotter.by Paul P. - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Something is inherently wrong with our society if the importance of cows takes precedence over humans. Damn those "happy cow /cheese" commercials ;-)by Paul P. - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Thanks Laughing Bear, will do!!by Paul P. - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Gail, can you tell us more info about what is on those BLM CD's and how we might be able to obtain them if possible?by Paul P. - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
DCR, Although it's just a small point, I was referring to "Hot Springs and Hot Pools of the U.S." This book is a bit old, 1990. It was co-authored by Marjorie Gersh-Young . Jayson Loam and Dave Bybee, who included a special section in it called "The High Hot Ones" (Sierra Nevada mountain springs). I still prefer this book to some of the newer ones, including Marjories latest.by Paul P. - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Sam, it's also worth it to check out Keough Hot Ditch south of Bishop and just off the 395. As mentioned, Buckeye and Travertine are great, but so are Molly's, Pulky's pool, Shepard's and even Hot Creek. Fales may also be worth checking out. Soak.net does have some directions, but nothing beats a good hot springs book. Run out and buy Marjorie Gersh-Youngs Hot Springs and Hot Pools of the U.S.by Paul P. - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Sam, here's some directions. From Highway 101 in Santa Barbara, take route 144 (Milpas St.) to Route 192 (Stanwood Drive) to El Cielito Rd. Turn right on Gibraltar Rd. and keep climbing up to the top until you reach El Camino Cielo. You'll see a big sign that says "Big Caliente -17 miles". At this point, turn right on El Camino Cielo.This road goes right along the top spine of theby Paul P. - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Thanks Rick, it's about time the NGDC converted the thermal listing to mapping. The mapping program appears to be GIS -based, possibly Arc-IMS. Nevertheless, it's pretty easy to use. I did notice that not every spring on the NGDC thermal listing appears on the map. Which in my view is probably a good thing -none of my "secret" springs showed up;-). Thanks again for turning us on to thisby Paul P. - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Mojave Green said, "As you know, the OHV crowd was involved in this planning long before the door was even opened to the rest of us. " You hit the nail on thehead. Historically, the BLM responds first to public input from those who scream the loudest. The OHV/ORV lobbyists input extensively to the BLM to garnish support for their activities, and have done so even prior to the adoptiby Paul P. - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Greetings all, indeed this is unfortunate. Wizard, did you hear about or see any of this when you were at Burning Man? Burning Man death was a first at festival BELMONT WOMAN DIED IN `ART CAR' ACCIDENT By Linda Goldston Mercury News A young Belmont woman apparently died doing what she loved most: being artistic. Katherine Lampman's death early Saturday at the Burning Man countercultby Paul P. - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Great letter Ron, two very minor spelling errors : 2nd paragraph "Forrest" should be "Forest" "Stats" should be "States"by Paul P. - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Indeed, the way Rick went is quite a bit longer, but still very scenic from San Marcos Pass to the La Cumbre Fire Lookout, then meeting Gibraltar Road. From Gibraltar Road, I recall it being about 17 miles to Big Caliente. Growing up in Santa Barbara, we had many friends who lived near Mountain Drive and Coyote Road, so it really wasn't too far to make the pilgrimage to the Calientes. In the oldby Paul P. - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
DCR, I haven't stayed at the Mono campground, only the Middle Santa Ynez. I also echo Rick's sentiments -I've gone there after some rains and it was great. Only occasionally if it rains heavily will the Forest Service close the gate you saw and passed through at the top of Camino Cielo (Romero Saddle). By calling the Forest Service ahead of time (if it's raining or has been raining), they can telby Paul P. - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Thanks for the report DCR. I've been going to Big and Little Caliente for over 20 years and have never encountered any of the problems you mentioned. I will admit that I never go in summer because I want to avoid the crowds. The other 3 seasons are much better. Winter is actually the best, because usually the gate at Santa Ynez campground is closed and people must hike or bike in the 5 miles to Lby Paul P. - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Back many years ago when I was employed by the BLM to work on the CDCA Plan, I was appalled at the amount of favoritism the BLM showed toward the ORV lobbyists. Part of the problem was because of the sheer numbers of offroad vehicle enthusiasts who bombarded the BLM with public input when the draft CDCA Plan was being developed. Even though there were designated ACEC's (Areas of Critical Envirby Paul P. - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
The Santa Ynez campground is primitive but nice. It is located very close to Big Caliente and approximately 5 miles from Little Caliente. If the gate is now open to Little Caliente, you can camp at the Pendola campground. These campgrounds are first come ,first served. There are actually two riverside pools just upstream from Big Caliente, the newly re-done (year 2002) Anniversary Pool and andby Paul P. - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Your absolutely right Rick, a good 4 by 5 view camera, or almost any good view camera, can produce incredible shots... and a lot has to do with the photographers skill as well. Digital cameras are fine and dandy, but they just don't compare when it comes to a high quality end product... Wouldn't it have been cool if Ansel Adams took any pictures of hot springs?by Paul P. - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
A shameless display of advertising your photos Rick;-) Just kiddin -you really have some great shots, but you'll never compete in quantity with the sheer volume of Wizards pictures - he's got what, over 500 photos now??by Paul P. - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
I have reported Mike Castro's illegal motorcycling to the BLM several times to no avail. Can you say "confidential informant"?by Paul P. - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Jobe said: "Two weeks ago when I was in Santa Barbara, I visited an old friend there. He said that Monticeto was destroyed by the current land owner, and he had made it more difficult to get to by fencing it up, and more no tresspassing signs. So, I avoided that place. As, he is a constant hot springer. And I avoid such signs." As I mentioned before, Montecito Hot Springs was not desby Paul P. - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Source temp at The Hot Springs is listed as 113 degrees.by Paul P. - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
In particular, the following excerpts from the guidelines are appropriate to Deep Creek HS: Carrying Capacity. Studies will be made during preparation of the management plan and periodically thereafter to determine the quantity and mixture of recreation and other public use which can be permitted without adverse impact on the resource values of the river area. Management of the river area canby Paul P. - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Big Hot???by Paul P. - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Looks like Travertine near Bridgeport!by Paul P. - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California