I am from SD and only visit Deep Creek during the week. I haven't been to the Hot Springs on a weekend in over a year. Deep Creek is a destination. The hot springs are the rest stop on the way upstream. It is amazing the peace and solitude you can find by adding 30 minutes to the hike. If anyone wants to hike in SD, i am happy to let you tag along.by Nmvhiker - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Reread my orginal post. I did not say the dchs hike is technical. I said people go to dchs because the hike is easy.by Nmvhiker - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
I would agree 100%!by Nmvhiker - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Dchs is not a technical hike. People go cause it is easy. The various locations in SD county (with hot springs, etc, are very technical hikes.). the majority of 'locals' i have encountered at the hot springs have been rude, drunk and drugged up. That said, i have also met a handful of nice, respectful outdoor enthusiasts. i will refrain from listing my hiking and climbing resume. There isby Nmvhiker - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
What? The locals don't like the people from SD? That is disappointing, I carry two bags of trash out everytime i visit the hot springs. To be honest though, i tend to avoid the hot springs and venture farther upstream, simply to get away from the rude, drunk and drugged up locals. The SD guys go to the Hot Springs because the hike is easy. Similar areas in SD county, the hike is to technicalby Nmvhiker - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Camping is technically illegal within 1 mile of deep creek. That said, upstream from the hotsprings there are numerous beaches, swimming and fishing holes that will get you away frim the crowd. South of the hot springs you will find the same thing. It is easy to get away from the crowds if you are willing to walk another half mile in either direction. You can camp at bowen ranch, and hike inby Nmvhiker - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Thank you for the additional news report. I have gone swimming and jumped there several times. There are a lot of remote jumping sites along deep creek. Safety is always a concern of mine when cliff jumping. I hope they do not shut areas down due to a trajic accident. My thoughts go out to his family and friends.by Nmvhiker - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
I saw the article. Not very informative and a bit confusing. Does anyone have an article with any details?by Nmvhiker - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
This is a very tragic accident. I jump in a lot of different places. There are jumping spot from 3' to 40+' into anywhere from 4' to 15' of water. And those are the spots within easy walking distance of the hot springs. When jumping, you always have to know what is below you and your own skill levels. Still a terrible accident, i feel for his family and friends. Does anyone have a linkby Nmvhiker - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
We were about 2 miles upstream! Enjoyed a little solitude and piece and quite. Enjoyed some swimming, some jumping, some soaking and enjoyable hiking. We talked to a couple people upstream with a couple little dogs. Bypassed another couple and found the right spot. On our way out, via the hot springs amd the bowen ranch trail we came across a lot of people. The hotsprings have become too poby Nmvhiker - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
I hiked the bowen ranch trail on Thursday 4/30/2015 and found a set of car keys in the dirt. None of the cars at Bowen Ranch belonged to the keys and the same goes for the Freedom Trail. So, if you lost a set of keys, send me a private message with a discription and I will return them to you. On a side note, i had a great hike. Perfect weather, perfect water temp in the creek. To many peopby Nmvhiker - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
QuotePaul P. QuoteNmvhikerIf someone wants to fix or grade a dirt road, i would think the first bit of road to the freedom trail would be a priority The road to the freedom trail is the responsibility of the BLM. They don't have funds to fix it or grade it. There is that. That said, I still think the road to the parking lot on Bowen Ranch is far better then the beginning of the freedomby Nmvhiker - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Over the last year or so, the road to the parking area hasnt changed. I regularly see 2wd drive cars parked in the parking lot. If someone wants to fix or grade a dirt road, i would think the first bit of road to the freedom trail would be a priority. That one is a little harder in a 2wd lowered sedan, but still far from impassable. the farther the parking is from the springs, the less peopleby Nmvhiker - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
I was at DCHS yesterday and the road to the parking lot is the same as it has always been. Although a little harder to drive it in the rain, it is very passable in almost any type of car. I drive a lowered sedan, and seldom scrape the frame. Happy to give offroad tips to anyone. Only a couple nudists at the springs. But about 30 people braved the weather.by Nmvhiker - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
"Most people are on the world, not in it -- have no conscious sympathy or relationship to anything about them -- undiffused, separate, and rigidly alone like marbles of polished stone, touching but separate. ". John Muir 1938 Basically nothing has changed since 1938. But he also said "Only by going alone in silence, without baggage, can one truly get into the heart of the wilby Nmvhiker - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Some know it isn't legal and they choose to ignore the rules (because they know the chance of being issued a citation is slim to none). Others are truely ignorant of the rules and don't know any better (These people would more then likely follow the rules if they knew them). I am merely saying that by educating people you will have better results then by issuing citations. I wonder if an oby Nmvhiker - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
It isn't about citations, it is about education! If we aren't willing to educate, then the problem will just get worse. Personally, I would be happy to pay a fee to access dchs. Thus the money could be used by the Rangers to visit the springs on the weekends and have the campers leave. After a few campers are escorted away on a regular basis, the culture will start to change. As word of moby Nmvhiker - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
In the event of flood waters, I am not gonna be sitting in the hot springs! But you are correct, in the event of a flood, the water level is gonna rise. At least for a short time.by Nmvhiker - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Every time I have been to DCHS, the pools have been at the same level.by Nmvhiker - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
What an amazing day at the creek yesterday! It was my first solo trip to the creek and it was well worth it. I started the hike about 1130am and set a pretty leisurely pace. I was in no rush to get anywhere so took my time to spot different animals, birds and plants. There isn't much flowering at the moment, but the holly plants had tons of berries on them. I saw all sorts of squirrels, lizaby Nmvhiker - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
I was at the creek yesterday and there is still plenty of water. In fact it seemed slightly higher then a few weeks ago. Very swimmable.by Nmvhiker - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
I am thinking about a solo trip tomorrow, Monday, and I can try to get some pictures. That said, I know you are not exaggerating. I normal venture upstream from the hot springs, but always stop for a dip on the way in and out,by Nmvhiker - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
I spoke with the National Forest Rangers about camping at DCHS and they confirmed it is illegal and can issue a citation. I confirmed this on the National Forest Website as well. But I did find out you can camp in the National Forest if you are 1 mile away from Deep Creek (with the adventure pass). So if you dont want to camp at Bowen or the trailhead, hike one mile southish of DCHS and camp.by Nmvhiker - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Has anyone heard if they are ok? I always carry an extra 20oz bottle of water with me. I typically give it away before I get half way to the creek. I would encourage everyone to bring a bottle to give away, if someone appears to need it. I also recommend a lifestraw water filter, can be a life saver in an emergency and weighs ounces. Well worth the $30 investment. Look forward to seeingby Nmvhiker - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
I almost speared him with my hiking poles, but refrained. I didn't want to have to deal with an already oblivious owner. Had one dog get into my pack and run off with my food, that was annoying, and the owner felt real bad and made me lunch. Leashes!by Nmvhiker - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
The road to the parking lot is pretty ugly. That said, i drive my lowered 2 wheel drive 4 dr sedan up and down to the parking lot, no problem. I have however run across people stuck and didn't know how to get their car up the hill. I have driven several cars up the hill, because the owners were to scared or didn't know how to drive. Take it slow and easy and you more then likely wont scrape aby Nmvhiker - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
I have to agree. I have run into several aggressive dogs at the hot springs. One actually attempted to bite me and then tried to bite my friend. The owner didn't even say sorry. We ventured farther upstream the rest of the day to avoid this aggressive dog. On our way back to the car, the dog was lunging at another hiker. Personally I don't think people should hike with their untrained, uncoby Nmvhiker - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
I was kinda leaning towards Mondays as well. I typically like hiking down around 1 and not hiking out till the sun is behind the hill. I look forward to meeting and seeing more of you at the hotsprings. I was planning on hiking another mile or so up the creek, just to see what else it has to offer! Especially looking for more jumping spots and beaches. I have noticed a lot of swimming snakby Nmvhiker - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
I have normally been to the hot springs on the weekend with friends. However, i am working more weekends and have time off during the week. Are Mondays, or Fridays better? As I will be alone, hoping to find some good conversation and to meet some of the locals. Also, I will be driving up the 15 corridor, so if anyone needs a ride or wants some company hiking, let me know.by Nmvhiker - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
We carried out 3 small bags, strapped to my pack. I also saw a couple other guys carry out some extra trash. Due to the weather, it did appear as if a lot of stuff was abandonned. Perahps all the abandoned tents can be collected and sold, with the money going to the volunteers to further help clean up the hot springs. Just an idea.by Nmvhiker - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California