May 13th – In Hot Water
Last night we set ourselves up for an easy 6.5 mile walk into Deep Creek Hot Springs so that we could enjoy the day relaxing and soaking, in hot water. We arrived at the springs before 10am, in time for a long leisurely soak.
On the way we drop steadily in elevation and leave the last of the pines for chapparal country. We are close to the edge of the Mojave desert and the canyon’s creek is an oasis in an arid land. Along the bottom are cottonwood, willow, ash, sycamore and other trees not found in the desert outside of stream beds.
The walk through the canyon was beautiful, even more so than I remembered it. Perhaps the difference is that this was a brisk morning walk in the warm spring sun, with the morning light briging out the canyon’s colors, the wildflowers in bloom and the birds singing, versus 10 years ago when I recall an evening hike in colder, darker weather, focused on finding water and a campsite. Or maybe without the heavier pack there is a greater tendancy to look around. Perhaps because of recent fires there are fewer tall Junpier and Manzanitas to block the view, or just that after ten years the memmories of a great hot springs soak over shadowed all else. Whatever the reason, this morning was like discovering a breathtaking canyon for the first time.
Our frinds William and Colleen who are working a temporary job in Southern Cal have taken a rare day off and walked in to join us. They brought some wonderful treats, including fresh fruit!! And we spend the day in the hot pools, swimming in the cooler creek, chasing shade as the sun moved the shadows around and grazing on snacks.
This hot springs is not a developed resort like Warner. This hot springs is a more rustic series of pools, some natural and some created or improved by users with stones, sand bags and some small bit of concrete. In short, its sort of a “hippie hangout” backountry natural springs and attracts a variety of local people.
A number of through hikers stopped by. All but two stayed for a soak. I can’t understand how anyone could pass up this chance to reward their well used legs with some well deserved and realaxing hot water therapy. And most take at least a very long break.
We planned on spending most of the day and we did – finally pulling out at 6pm, with 2 beers and some butter, the “trail magic” offered to us as we leave by one of the locals.
We hike about 3 miles, crossing the creek on an arched bridge enroute, where we stop to chat with “Pippi” and “Dirty Harry” while a large beaver swims below, dives and surfaces to swim some more.
We make camp on a rock and sand terrace about 30 feet above the river with One Braid, Charlie and Trish, sharing our bounty of now warm beer.
The evening breeze is warm and we put up the tent only becase of all the ants. The last of the “Carrot Leather” becomes a pasta sauce and we dine to crickets and frogs echoing off th canyon walls….
