That area is a cold spring, known as "Hidden Canyon". The growth covers the majority of the spring area and runnoff. When I last visited that area, there was MUCH wildlife in the area using it for water and dens. The lower end of that waterflow is intersting though, when you decend down to the base of the first hill (Mofo) and before getting to the 4x4 road, you can hang a quick riby DCHS Jaunter - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Yes, camping at the site B is allowed, up to 14 days. It is actually on the National Forest lands at the parking area. Currently there is a fire ban in the area, if you have a fire permit, you can have a camp stove, but no open fires are allowed right now. The formal names for the two sites, B is 'Freedom Trail parking area'. A is an old 'Hunters parking' which lays behind a fence. Your FJ wiby DCHS Jaunter - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Ran into the same situation on Saturday, two gals heading out as we were heading in had no water with them. We gave up one bottle for them to share since they were half way back. Not even 500 feet later we ran into a young couple panting, also had no water, gave up a second bottle for them to share. There was also new markings placed by someone on Saturday because as we went down they were notby DCHS Jaunter - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Just came back from the creek last night, the place is so much better, no bags piled anywhere. There was one hanging from the brown sign board at the 4x4 lot, but took that one out with me. It was nice to be able to enjoy the day without having the place completely trashed or overran with campers. Mello day though it was quite hot, the creek is now the place to be, not the pools. Thanks for alby DCHS Jaunter - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
I am sorry to hear about your unfortunate visit. The man you describe is Mike Castro, owner of Bowen Ranch. It sounds like when you pulled up, you inadvertently turned into his ‘private’ area, where he parks his personal cars (junkers too), behind the little house. This is what set him off. He does occasionally get a violent temper tantrum towards people, especially if they don’t followby DCHS Jaunter - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
To all going, be warned: A buddy of mine went hiking on Wednesday, on his short hike around the area he crossed paths with three rattlesnakes. They were the same kind (So. Pac. Rattler) that Zeus posted a pic of, and these three were a bit bigger and definately not friendly. He almost lost one of his hiking companions, his trained Assie Shepard to one of them. If you plan on going, andby DCHS Jaunter - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
This warning is very true. I have noticed a greater amount of poision oak in the greater drainage area during my hikes. For those who don't recognize it, here is a discription of what to watch out for... *Western poison oak (Toxicodendron diversilobum, Anacardiaceae) This deciduous perennial has highly variable growth habits: vine, ground cover, shrub. In chaparral it usually grows as an ereby DCHS Jaunter - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Good day! To answer your questions. 1. Camping within the drainage area can net you a fine. Camping at any of the trailheads, Bowen Ranch, 4x4, or Freedom are all outside the boundry and available to camp. 2. Rangers who even see a tent or sleeping bag have been known to warn, and ticket both... depends on their mood. High use times, expect a visit too... like say... this weekend. 3. Iby DCHS Jaunter - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
I was out there yesterday, Wednesday. The road had a couple mud spots that had to be crossed, but it is still very accessible. The walk down was beautiful. I arrived at the creek to find the water is running cold and a bit higher than it was a couple weeks ago. The water crossing is still below the waist and not too quick. The non-water crossing is now underwater; the log has water running rby DCHS Jaunter - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
I saw that car too... plotted it on Google earth at 34 20 46.96N 117 11 00.74W looked either blue or black, maybe a pickup.by DCHS Jaunter - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California