I've visited but only about 5 times since 1980. That would be 44 years ! Keep it going ! Johnby mdskibum - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Just dumb that they did not use common sense. Prepare properly. Bring more water than you think you need. The heat dehydrates. The hot water dehydrates. The steep climb up the trail dehydrates. If you are in trouble from heat wait in the shade until later when the sun drops and the air cools before trying to hike out.by mdskibum - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Sad but not unexpected considering the mess COVID-19 is making worldwide. This huge event required a long lead time & they say they waited as long as they could. Most commercial Hot springs are closed. Natural hot springs in NF areas are closed Events in our area including Strawberry Music Festival & WorldFest are cancelled and all US ski areas closed early. Sad but needed.by mdskibum - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
NPS has put up closed signs at Saline and they had Lee drain the pools. Mono Co says Buckeye and Travertine are closed due to COVID-19by mdskibum - California Hot Springs
A bit late for Memorial day ! but I've visited twice this year. June 25 road was clear but Buckeye creek was running quite high due to snow melt. Buckeye HS was was cold and not really useable. Travertine was fine. Looked like the creek would remain high for a month. So go before or 2 months after snowmelt starts. About Oct 30 Buckeye was in best shape I've ever seen it . Main poby mdskibum - California Hot Springs
Photo of the meeting at the springs to explain the new rules 11/17/19 I was not there. (From Saline FB page)by mdskibum - California Hot Springs
Thanks Rick Excellent very accurate summary of the NPS Final Management Plan for Saline Valley. This should answer most questions. Of course If anyone went to this Nov 17, 2019 meeting on site at the springs is encouraged to post more notes here.by mdskibum - California Hot Springs
Some Russians were acting like thugs at Sierra Hot springs and vandalized the wood Budda statue by breaking a hand off. They were kicked out & and 6 months later the hand was replaced.by mdskibum - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
I believe PaulP is right. I've also heard Rocky Canyon in Idaho was destroyed.by mdskibum - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Winter access to Travertine & Long Valley Caldera springs is usually fine -except in heavy snowstorms Buckeye is usually snowed in (not plowed) much of the winter. Also Buckeye Ck usually floods the main pool in winter & spring till rebuilt.by mdskibum - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Quoteneogeo Love to see all those temperature readings. Welcome. Normally a bit higher but likely tweaked down a bit for summer that's just ending. Anniversary, Crab Cooker, and Phoenix (or is it Arizona?) are close to normal. Surprised there was no crowd on the Monday holiday.by mdskibum - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
It was great going with with HotSprings Kevin. I thought incorrectly that he posted here. Moving a few rocks directed some of the water exiting Crab Cooker into Serenity Pool raising the temp a degree or two. Did day trips twice out of Bowen but stayed in a motel in Hesperia. He used to be a regular but had not returned in 17 years. I first visited 40 years ago but did not return at allby mdskibum - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Cell phones, verizon at least, work at Freedom.by mdskibum - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
QuoteWizard I once found a unique plant growing at Deep Creek with long colorful blooms. I sent Scott a picture of it and he identified the plant as being a Butterfly Bush, a non indigenous species for the area. I only ever in all my hikes at Deep Creek found one of those You can't kill the piles of Butterfly Bushes in our yard just down from Tahoe near Colfax. Chop them down and they grow uby mdskibum - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Agreed. In May I found the road to Freedom badly rutted and slow going. I have good off road tires and had no trouble several days later going in South Pass & out North Pass at Saline Valley. Missed the bypass where it joins BR rd so I got a wild roller coaster ride thur washouts! Parked at main Freedom area (upper). Chickened out on going any lower due to the incredibly steep piby mdskibum - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Thanks Jobe & Paul P for Freedom trail info. I went as planned Monday to where Jobe said to park for non 4x4 due to great curiosity. Even considered going further down the very steep hill. Could-of shouldn't etc. Vehicle was a Highlander SUV AWD with excellent off road tires (BFG K02) Walked up/down steep pitch-did not chance it. Still wonder if I could have made it. Decided discreby mdskibum - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
On Monday I arrived at the Freedom trail at 10:30 am. I've only visited via Bowen Ranch in the past but this time I had an AWD Toy Highlander with great off road tires (BFG K02) so I decided to see what Freedom was all about. It's an incredibly bad road with washouts - not worth it folks. The extra 20-30 min plus gas is a no win- I'll just pay the $5 at the ranch in the future. At upper Freby mdskibum - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
paulesbo or anyone; I may visit this Monday. Have a good AWD with great off road tires. How does one start the route to Freedom Trail do you turn right about 1/4 mile before the Bowen Ranch to stay on Bowen Ranch Rd. I've only visited DCHS twice in 40 years. last being last spring & stayed at the ranch lot.by mdskibum - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Just saw comment "consider a visit if we can secure an adequate vehicle" lol Good advice in general. OTOH I've always had crappy POS rental cars of which only one was decent (Jeep Cherokee). I've had trouble with snow and flat tires. Never stranded, knock on wood. Worst was spinning a tire off the rim in Grapevine Cyn. Aborted the trip at bottom of Grapevine & came out witby mdskibum - California Hot Springs
Mojave, What did you do for a sleeping pad or air mattrass? Hard ground kind of stops us.by mdskibum - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Never met hiker, lol Though I lived 10 miles from DC for 20 years and been to the 2 places neogeo saw him.by mdskibum - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
I've been to all of these (Lighthouse, Gunnison, Haulover) when I lived back east. All good but I drove to the 2 up north. I've looked at the ferry. It would be great if you are in NYC. They have a shuttle bus going the short way (2 miles boat -beach) traffic can be horrendus if you drive and parking lot for Gunnison can fill by 9am on busy weekends. Then you walk further. Entire Sandy Hookby mdskibum - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
It's not worth hitting the brakes too hard or swervng to avoid hares or other critters. Best to run them down if that avoids an accident. LOLby mdskibum - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Thanks Jobe, for update on Bradford Ridge rt 173. Caltrans has had that confusing closure info on their site for a year or more!by mdskibum - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Tonights news says she's getting an experimental drug. Looks positive and signs are that it's starting to work. Crossing fingers.by mdskibum - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Early yesterday am (or overnight) vandals in Washington DC hit the base and Lincolns legs with green spray paint. The Lincoln Memorial has 7 surveilance cameras so they should get these guys. Disgusting - not just a DCHS problem. http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/07/26/lincoln-memorial-vandalism-green-paint/2588907/by mdskibum - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Quotespeakeasy Not limited to stagnant water! Map of the states where deaths have occurred (CA is on the list): http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/naegleria/state-map.html Good Map of cases which I've also seen. Don't see much of a connection with hot springs. FL, with the most cases has no hot springs as does TX (almost none) with second most. Idaho &Oregon with hundreds of hot sprinby mdskibum - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Naegleria fowleri is extremely rare in moving water such as flowing streams or hot springs. Most cases are found in stagnant or brackish water common in Texas or Lousiana.by mdskibum - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Suggest you visit a different section of this board. Click "home" at top left of this page. Select "Deep Creek Hot Springs. Apple Valley,California." 90% of board activity and all Deep Creek posts are there.by mdskibum - California Hot Springs
Quotecoyote Sorry but if you are going to go into the wilderness, study the area and take a map! I hike regularly on the Appalachian Trail and it is not acceptable there, can't imagine it would be acceptable in California. The Applalachian Trail is well marked with white blazes (carefully done) on trees so you won't get lost. Possibly a simple marking system would be useful at DCHS. Not hidby mdskibum - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California