QuoteSam D. I BLM really needs to step up the enforcement. Sam, thanks for all the trash pickup and hauling out. We need more people to do this on a regular basis. Also, I encourage EVERYONE who posts on this forum to contact these Forest Service personnel and encourage them to step up enforcement of the illegal camping at the springs. E-mail both Kay at kswianby Paul P. - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Quotenhq085475 can I dig an interesting tree along the trail ? Can anyone have any idea ? NO, do not do itby Paul P. - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Could you go nude in any of Italy's springs??by Paul P. - World Hot Springs
Joe, we miss all the entertainment you have provided on this forum, especially with your hilarious spelling errors. You need to get the hell out of Florida- it's a terrible state... and come back to the Golden State... Your buddy Mike Castro really misses you LOLby Paul P. - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
If you are getting to the Freedom Trailhead after sundown, I assume you will camp there overnight, since it's illegal to camp down at the springs. When you do leave your vehicle at the Freedom Trailhead the next day when you hike down, just make sure you do not leave any valuables in the vehicle just in case.by Paul P. - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Because the Freedom Trail parking area is more isolated, it does tend to be a target for vandalism. And depending on conditions, the access road to the Freedom Trailhead is only passable by 4 WD. For your own piece of mind, I would suggest paying the $5 /person fee at the Bowen Ranch.by Paul P. - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
QuoteAntranik I'm not Dave but I just wanted to say that is a very nice idea, Paul! Hope to meet you one day at the springs this summer! Yep, I get there as often as I can, so yeah one of these days you'll run into me at the springs!by Paul P. - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
http://ecobnb.com/blog/2013/10/hot-springs-italy-free-spa-therme/by Paul P. - World Hot Springs
Tanjja, great post and some interesting historyby Paul P. - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Dave, a lot also depends on your service provider. As Rick said, there are spots on the trail where you can pick up a signal. When I had Verizon I got reception on top of MoFo Hill, which is the last steep hill descending down to the creek.by Paul P. - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Dave, I have lived in San Diego for years and have been going to Deep Creek for about 40 years. A very long day trip is possible from San Diego, but I definitely would not recommend it. With all the SoCal population growth and traffic, inevitably there will be very bad traffic no matter what time you start the trip. And basically your soaking time will be very limited. What our family did forby Paul P. - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
We've been there a couple of times. There is some good hot soaking at Firehole .by Paul P. - U.S.A. Hot Springs
Quotephil w The thing about Blacks Beach is I get the feeling if I go there on my own I probably will not have much interaction with others. People might be a little creeped out by a stranger approaching them there. I would want to go with someone which is going to be difficult to arrange. Phil ,I live in San Diego and run on Blacks Beach almost daily. Do not worry- people are very friendly aby Paul P. - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Phil, first off, you are probably not allowing enough time to visit both Deep Creek Hot Springs and prepare for Mt. Whitney. It's about a 4 hour drive from Deep Creek to Whitney. And you need to start hiking Whitney EARLY on that Monday if you get the lottery. So that means you should be at a hotel in Lone Pine or camping at Whitney Portal Sunday night. So you really wouldn't have enough time toby Paul P. - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
It is entertaining to watch newbies try and cross the creek, but I always try to give them some advice on where to cross, i.e. the shallow sandbar just a little below the beach. Sometimes they listen, sometimes they don't LOLby Paul P. - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
QuoteWizard Clothes do come in handy in the chill of winter time I agree Wizard! Once I had the not so smart idea to free hike down the trail on a cold winter morning. It was 27 degrees when I left the Ranch. I hiked fast to try to warm up. Didn't help much. All I got out of it was extremely shrunken testicles LOLby Paul P. - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
We all come into the world naked. Only societal conventions prevent us from retaining our nude birthright.by Paul P. - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Quotefreehiker13 Hey all, I was planning on checking out DCHS for the first time in a few weeks. A friend of mine mentioned that, while nudity is allowed on the trail from Bowen Ranch and at the springs. he had run into some hostility from clothed hikers. Has anyone on here had a similar experience? I've heard DCHS is one of the best free-hiking experiences in SoCal, but don't want to encoby Paul P. - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Robby, to echo Wizards advice, it's safer to park in the parking area on the left side just past the Bowen Ranch House. It only adds a very short walking distance to the beginning trailhead at the lower parking lot.by Paul P. - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Thanks Denali I am very familiar with that view as we SUP along that part of San Diego Bay often. I bet the levels of Deep Creek will rise dramatically if we get as much rain as they say we are going to get.by Paul P. - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
I haven't heard anything about Vickers in a long time. Since Ecotopia took over, its been closed for soaking. I have some friends in Ojai who said that legal action against Ecotopia has stopped, at least for now. I think the only way to soak there is to go to one of Ecotopia's volunteer days and get a pass to soak.by Paul P. - California Hot Springs
Trailgal, a standard 2 wheel drive car would make it to Bowen Ranch fine. Keep an eye on the weather though. You may not want to go there if more rain or snow is forecast. There were about 7 2 wheel drive cars parked when we got to Bowen Ranch. Mike suggested we park in the upper parking area rather than at the trailhead.by Paul P. - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Thanks MINERALKING! I can be concise and at times I expound excessively. Just depends... in any event, the springs were looking good!by Paul P. - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
We had a good day at the springs yesterday. Bowen Ranch Road had a few ice spots but was in mostly good condition. A t the Ranch there was maybe 3 or 4 inches of snow on the ground and morning temp hovering around 33 degrees. Mike suggested we park at the upper parking area due to ice on the small segment of road leading down to the trailhead. The hike down was fine- no ice and not much mud fromby Paul P. - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Dale did you see any loose out of control dogs at the springs when you were there?by Paul P. - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
A friend told me he saw a small mountain lion on the trail so thats always a possibility that you or your dog sensed it.by Paul P. - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Quotejobe I looked in my dictionary and it was not there. Rodney you must have an old dictionary! https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gynecomastiaby Paul P. - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Quotejobe We guys can not understand unless you have gynogclastia. ? Close Joe, correct spelling is: "gynecomastia"by Paul P. - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Quotejobe One of the ladies with us was not used to hiking with out her bra and got boobitish I suppose. Joe, I couldn't find "boobitish" in the dictionary. Please provide a definition.by Paul P. - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
QuoteTrailgal It was a play with words, and correct spelling isn't my priority, but getting a funny out of it is a plus! Thanks for all the input yall! I wont park at that damn dam Happy trails, Trailgal OK I got it! Have a fun time at the springs!by Paul P. - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California