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.
Maps, Directions, and Place Reviews
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 woodlands, and conifer forest plant communities.
The Southwestern Arroyo Toad--Bufo californicus, an endangered species, lives along Deep Creek.
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. Water from the creek or pools is not advised for consumption without treatment or filtering, and bringing sufficient drinking water is advised. Freedom Trail reaches Deep Creek Hot Springs, and The Pacific Crest Trail along the creek crosses the area.
Directions
- Interstate 15 to the Bear Valley exit in Victorville.
- Bear Valley (east) proceeding ten miles (16 km) to Central.
- Right on Central (south) proceeding three miles (past railroad tracks and over a steep hill) to Ocotillo.
- Left (east) on Ocotillo proceeding 2.2 miles (3.5 km) to Bowen Ranch Road (after it becomes dirt surfaced).
- Right (south) on Bowen Ranch Road, proceeding approximately six miles to Bowen Ranch ($5 to $10 per person fee) parking and trailhead.
- The hike, approximately two miles, drops over 900 feet (270 m) in altitude. Some parts of the trail are rough, with sturdy hiking boots advised.
- Pacific Crest Trail (free), a six-mile hike east from the trailhead at Arrowhead Lake Road.
- Directions to deep creek hot springs via freedom trail
Regulations
The Deep Creek Hot Springs regulations include:
- Closed to the public from sundown to sunrise
- Public nudity is not permitted within 1/4 mile of 'T-6 crossing.' The T-6 crossing is located upstream from the steel bridge near Splinter's Cabin. This is actually 10 miles up stream from Deep Creek Hot Springs.
- No camping is permitted within 1-mile (1.6 km) of Deep Creek.
- No fire, campfires or stoves allowed in the Deep Creek drainage basin.
- No glass containers permitted within 1-mile (1.6 km) of Deep Creek
- Pack out all refuse.
- State designation Wild Trout Stream, the Deep Creek Wild Trout Area
- Limit two fish. Must be eight inches (203 mm) or larger
- Artificial Lures or Flies with barbless hooks only.
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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