
Deep Creek Hot Springs, DCHS, are natural hot springs located in the northern Mojave Desert section of the San Bernardino National Forest, near Hesperia in San Bernardino County, Southern California.[1]
Geography
The springs are in the rain shadowed desert foothills of the San Bernardino Mountains on the Deep Creek fork of the Mojave River. They are in a large bouldered riparian zone, surrounded by a rich habitat ecotone of the xeric shrublands—desert chaparral, montane chaparral and piñon-juniper woodlands, and conifer forest plant communities.[1]
The Southwestern Arroyo Toad—Bufo californicus, an endangered species, lives along Deep Creek.[1][2]
Recreation
Deep Creek Hot Springs, being located next to Deep Creek, provides both hot and cold water locations for clothing optional bathing. The site is managed by the San Bernardino National Forest[1] and is maintained by a volunteer group, the Deep Creek Volunteers.[3] Water from the creek or pools is not advised for consumption. The hot pools contain a rare and sometimes fatal disease called primary amoebic meningoencephalitis.[4] Very high fecal coliform counts are found in the hot springs as well.[4]
The hot springs can be reached via three main hiking routes to reach the Hot Springs. The shortest route is the Bowen Ranch / Freedom Trail, at approximately two miles each way.[5] The Bradford Ridge Path is approximately a 2.6 mile one-way hike from the south.[6] The PCT passes through Deep Creek Hot Springs and can be reached from the Lake Arrowhead area, 6 miles each way.[7]
See also
References
- ^ a b c d "San Bernardino National Forest, Deep Creek Hot Springs". Archived from the original on July 28, 2011. Retrieved June 10, 2010.
- ^ "SDNHM - Arroyo Toad". San Diego Natural History Museum. Archived from the original on April 13, 2001. Retrieved October 22, 2011.
- ^ "Welcome to Deep Creek Volunteers". www.deepcreekvolunteers.com. Retrieved June 6, 2019.
- ^ a b "USDA - Deep Creek Hot Springs".
- ^ "Directions to Deep Creek Hot Springs - DeepCreekVolunteers.com". www.deepcreekvolunteers.com. Retrieved June 6, 2019.
- ^ "The Best Deep Creek Hot Springs Hike". HikingGuy.com. June 6, 2019. Retrieved June 6, 2019.
- ^ "Deep Creek Hot Springs to PCT". AllTrails.com. Retrieved June 6, 2019.
External links
- U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Deep Creek
- San Bernardino National Forest: official Deep Creek Hot Springs website
- Deep Creek Hot Springs.net Forum
- Deep Creek Hot Springs Yahoo Group forum (Yahoo login required)
- Deep Creek Volunteers
- Deep Creek Hot Springs: location photo gallery
- Deep Creek Hot Springs location photos on Instagram