Thanks! That's more detail than I'd heard so far.by Rivernude - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
The video is mostly a montage of several different subjects, with very little actual information about the new campground. And, no, I didn't see or hear anything convincing about cleaning up or preserving anything at all. I'm not a local, but I've met several of you that are locals, and who invest a lot of energy and time in cleaning, preserving, and graffiti removing. When I visit, I always packby Rivernude - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Thanks for the clarification on the land classifications and the Adventure Pass!by Rivernude - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
I've been visiting DCHS off and on for four years, and have entered via Bowen Ranch every time. Despite reports of problems, I've never had any problem with Mike as a customer of the ranch. I will say that $10 per night is pretty cheap camping, no matter what taxes you've paid. It's my understanding that anywhere you park on San Bernardino National Forest land (BLM land), you are required to purcby Rivernude - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
To Sam and all the other trash-picker-uppers: THANK YOU!!!! As promised, I brought a trash bag down to the creek this past weekend, but you guys didn't leave me much to get! This was the first time I've been back to DCHS in about a year and a half, but the area looked pretty darn clean when I got there. It's good to know that some people still care about the place!by Rivernude - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Well, Jobe, a bit late now, but HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Glad you were able to enjoy it at DCHS in your birthday suit! As for the guy picking up the snake...you can't fix stupid! I hope he recovers well, and I hope the story prevents someone from doing the same another day. Snakes will normally mind their own business if left alone. The cost of the helicopter was probably pretty high, too, although theby Rivernude - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Good work, getting rid of the trash and the graffiti!! I'll haul out some trash next weekend, though I know I can barely make a dent in what you guys are doing! To the "arrow painters"...if you need painted arrows to find your way on the trail, you really should stay at home or the mall!by Rivernude - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Well, Jobe, if all goes as planned, I'll wish you a happy birthday in your birthday suit while in my birthday suit!by Rivernude - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Thank you for all the clean-up effort Sam! I hope to visit DCHS the weekend of the 4th, and I'll make a point of helping out with it while I'm there. Jimby Rivernude - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
I agree...don't quit going, or the bad ones win. It's good that you used restraint with the flashlight when you thought about the guy being high and drunk, but it should also be remembered that he was apparently sober when he loaded up his alcohol, weed, weapon, and ammunition for the trip. (Since you said he was acting OK before starting on the weed and alcohol.) That kind of action should not bby Rivernude - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Going for a workout BEFORE the hike to the springs? That's dedication! (Granted, it's back UP that's the real workout, but still! LOL)by Rivernude - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Mike wasn't exaggerating about after dark rescues. There have been many rescues, due to people who weren't prepared or familiar with the area, who tried to hike out at night. The last couple of times I've been to Bowen Ranch, it's been posted that the ranch gate closes at 10 pm. He used to leave it open, and people came and went at all hours. I'm sure that got really old, so I don't blame himby Rivernude - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Can't say about the fee, as I almost always camp and pay the $10 in the first place. Mike is the long-haired guy, around 50-ish(?), that lives at the ranch. Not sure if he's owner, manager, caretaker, or what...heard all versions. He's always been nice to me, but there are several who have had problems with him. I don't really know him, other than from occasional visits to the ranch, so I'll sby Rivernude - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Sam, About your "doubtful paragraph"...personally, I would rather see the words you posted here, than the subject matter you discussed scattered around all over! Either burial or bagging/disposing at home would be much better options than what is typically done with it, which is nothing. Hopefully, some will heed your advice! Keep up your "Teach, Bitch, Preach" routiby Rivernude - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Sam, Thank you for all your hard work to keep the DCHS area cleaned up! I'll gladly do what I can to help, though I don't get to visit the springs very often, due to living in Arkansas. Frustrating as it may be to do it, the few that pick up other people's trash like Sam consistently does are the ones that make the greatest case to preserve use of DCHS for us all. I only hope that more folkby Rivernude - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Be prepared for the weather, but if significant rain is likely, the canyon trails are not a good place to be. Much of the slope areas are pretty unstable, and a little bit of erosion goes a LONG way....DOWN. And, assuming you're still alive and can still walk when you stop, going back up can range from difficult to impossible in some places.by Rivernude - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
That's cool! I spent a lot of time hiking the canyon, mostly from the arched bridge to about five miles upstream of DCHS back in 09-10. One of my "things to find" was a mountain lion track. I found one track, near a little wet-weather tributary upstream of the arched bridge once. It was about the size you describe, but it wasn't real clear. I took some pictures, with my hand spreadby Rivernude - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
I can see both sides of it, to some extent. BUT, the bike problem needs to be addressed. I like motorcycles, and those folks should have a right to ride in parts of the BLM land. But, on the trails along the canyon, and on the slopes of the canyons is not the place for it. Many people, including a lot of kids, hike those trails. Visibility around many of the curves is nearly zero. What happby Rivernude - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Rather have the snakes than the (few) obnoxious people I've run into at DCHS. I spent a lot of time in the summer/fall of 2009, and a little of 2010 in Deep Creek canyon, and unfortunately, only saw about three snakes...one garter snake, one very small, unidentified snake near my campsite at dusk, and one non-poisonous snake on the PCT, obviously killed by human hands. Back home in Arkansas, snby Rivernude - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
I'll take rattlesnakes over drunk @#$%& any day!! Unfortunately, I've seen more of the latter at DCHS, which is why I've spent more time elsewhere along the creek and the PCT than at the springs. I've been able to go more on weekends, than on weekdays...might make a difference. During the winter months, I found the crowd at the springs to be much more laid-back and sociable...guess it's the haby Rivernude - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
I can't speak for the Freedom Trail, other than hearing what Jobe and a few others have said. However, I camped many times in 2009 at Bowen Ranch without a problem. I'm not from the area, so I don't know the whole story, but it seems that most folks either like Mike or they don't. Personally, I never had a single problem with him, and he was polite and courteous to me every time I was there.by Rivernude - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
"TRULY HONEST"??? I never met one that was even RUMORED to be honest!!by Rivernude - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Thanks guys! I realize that the phrase "typical weather" is kind of any oxy-moron...sorry! Just hoping for some warm weather again, before I head back east in a few months.by Rivernude - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Not being from around the SoCal area, I'm wondering when the weather begins warming up in the Springtime, in the DCHS area. What are the typical high and low temps in March, for instance? Does Deep Creek usually get a lot of snow-melt during that time of year? Thanks! Jimby Rivernude - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Nice pictures, Jobe!by Rivernude - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
I didn't mean that to offend...only in fun! I really do understand how you feel about tornadoes out here. I imagine it's about like I feel about earthquakes. I felt my very first one a few months ago, here in CA, and as soon as I realized it wasn't a damaging or dangerous one, it was exciting. You guys probably would've barely noticed it, it was so small. Although the New Madrid fault, whichby Rivernude - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
You guys are just trying to make me feel more "at home" with the tornado warnings, right? In Arkansas, we have more tornadoes on a good spring-time night, than California has...ever. But, you have us beat on the earthquakes, so I guess it's all fair enough!by Rivernude - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Jobe, Just to clarify, I said "from what I've heard", meaning that it was second-hand information. I've had no dealings or discussions with the department myself. If they don't have an issue with nudity at DCHS, that's great, but it still wouldn't hurt to ask them for help with the littering. If they say no, or just don't do anything, well, at least they were asked. As for juby Rivernude - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Jobe, Good meeting you Sunday! Now, we know who we're looking for, having crossed paths before without realizing it. One of these days, we'll get our schedules together and work on the pool. I'm interested in how you'd place a cement patch with a water flow. I'm familiar with underwater concrete placement, but not with significant current involved. I'm all for learning new tricks. Nothinby Rivernude - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Jobe, which day(s) this weekend do you think you might be at DCHS? (Don't want to carry the shovel in my pack unless I'm going to use it that day.) Jimby Rivernude - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California