Deep Creek Hot Springs
& How To Get There
& How To Get There
Reprint courtesy of the Western Association for Naturist Recreation.
Smooching in a hot pool.
Deep Creek Hot Springs, southeast of the high desert town of Hesperia,
is located on a creek beach which resembles the beautiful Lilies Beach near Mendocino.
Located within the federal lands of the San Bernardino National Forest,
Deep Creek Hot Springs can be found on the USGS Lake Arrowhead Quadrangle
Map, 10 miles due north of Lake Arrowhead's outlet tower.
As fantastic!! as this hot springs is, its slight Achille's heel lies in
its remoteness, and the Achille heals which some nonhikers acquire when
visiting it. But for those who would enjoy a moderate 45 minute hike in
and another one-hour hike out, Deep Creek is highly recommended. The hot
pools are situated in some fascinating rock outcroppings where the creek
makes a sharp bend around the end of a ridge (right side of lower photo).
the center-left of the photo amid the lower rocks.
The hot spring's water is clear and non-sulphur smelling.
It's temperature exiting the ground is over 100 degrees where it then flows into
seven man-made soaking pools adjacent an annual flowing creek.
As access to the springs is through a portion of the arid Mojave Desert,
the hike should only be considered in good weather and with drinking water
carried in.
The hot spring pools are located on the south bank of the creek, with the
shortest access from a trail which leads in from the north. The trail-head
is accessible from 'Bowen Ranch'.
During times after rain or heavy mountain snow melt-off, the creek sometimes
runs high and floods the lower hot spring pools. During such times, the
creek is unsafe to cross from the Bowen Ranch trail, so some visitors hike
in on the Pacific Crest Trail which can be accessed from the west near the
Mojave River.
The hike to the hot springs is about 6.2 miles (5.7 miles from the spillway).
At a little over 2/3 way into the hike is a charming arch
bridge which crosses the creek. As this trail is remote and on federal land (and not
heavily used), it lends itself to nude hiking.
Deep Creek should not be visited during time of threatening rain. The hot
springs is located at a narrowing in the canyon walls. And with some past
monster storms showing signs of water levels 15 feet above the hot springs,
one can imagine how deadly even a moderate flash flood could be.
To reach Deep Creek, most visitors prefer to take the shorter, steeper trail
which is accessible through Bowen Ranch. From Interstate 15, the ranch is
about a 22 mile drive. The first 2/3's is nicely paved, but the remainder
is dirt. Although wide and well maintained, it seasonally has "washboard"
type, horizontal ruts which can test the shock absorbers on smaller passenger
vehicles. Consequently, this portion takes a little longer to drive.
Once reaching Bowen Ranch and paying a per person entrance
fee, the friendly ranch hands provide visitors with a free "xerox"
map. It is then only a short drive to a parking site. From
the parking area, a 1/2 mile hike with about a 160 foot drop in elevation
will get you to the national forest hot springs trailhead. (Those with a high clearance,
4-wheel drive vehicle, can drive to this trailhead
point by circumventing Bowen Ranch. See map link below.)
The national forest trailhead starts at a desert elevation of about 4220 feet and descends
during a 1.1 mile hike to an elevation of 3720 feet. At this point, you
are standing atop the end of a ridge 200 feet above the hot springs, 700
feet away. From here, most hikers elect to take the steep, sandy, and slippery
direct route to the springs. However, a safer branch trail on the west slope
of the ridge will also get you there in a distance of about 1500 feet.
By custom, a few bathers will strip nude on the north bank and forge the
waters of the creek to the hot spring pools. During the Winter when the water
can be very cold, some will cross the creek over a fallen log spanning the creek
a couple hundred feet downstream.
Deep Creek is without a doubt, one of the best hot springs in the entire Southwest. When approaching from arid Bowen Ranch, the scrub brush transforms into shade trees and green vegetation along the creek. Although overnight camping and fires are not permitted at the hot springs, undeveloped camp sites are available within Bowen Ranch. Deep Creek is restricted to day use only.
Deep Creek is designated as a native wild trout stream and as such it is illegal to camp within one mile of the creek. Visitors are also requested not to carry in glass containers.
For those caught camping at Deep Creek, a bailable citation of $35 is usually given; if caught after hours, an additional $35 bailable citation is given; and if caught with a stove or campfire, tack on another bailable fee of $50. These are the usual minimums. If the attitude of the camper is extremely bad, a camper can be brought before the U.S. Magistrate Judge in Yucca Valley and hit with penalties ranging up to $5,000.00 and/or 6 months in jail for each offense. So prudence calls for nothing short of politeness and smiles if one is caught doing wrong.
As with any hot springs, it is not recommended to swallow or get any of the spring water into one's nasal cavities due to the very remote possiblity of acquiring the dangerous naegleria fowleri, an amoeba common to thermal pools, which has led in rare instances (at other hot springs) to death.
Directions to Deep Creek Hot Springs
via Bowen Ranch
From the greater Los Angeles region, take Interstate
15 north to Hesperia.
Exit to Bear Valley Road and travel east for almost 10 miles to Central
Road. Turn right on Central and drive 3 miles south to Ocotillo Way and
turn left. Then go 2.3 miles to Bowen Ranch Road. Turn right (south) and
go an additional 6 miles to Bowen Ranch. Stay on the widest roadbed; if
in question.. go right. Drive up to the old rustic ranch house. Stop and
pay entrance fee and receive a free photocopy map to the nearby parking
and the hot springs.
Directions to Deep Creek Hot Springs
via Bowen Ranch
Notes:
For best vehicle security, if it is a concern to you, park at the ranch house. It is only a third-of-a-mile longer hike. Although very rare, the ranch hands acknowledge that a few vehicles (away from the ranch house) have been broken into over the past decade. WANR members have never had, nor personally know of anyone, who has had any problems, so we feel that such problems are extremely isolated.Vandalism however is a concern for those parking near the Mojave River for those joining the Pacific Crest Trail for the hike to Deep Creek Hot Springs from the west. Should you elect to park there, we suggest you return prior to dark.
Those who study a detailed Hesperia map will see that one can also reach Bowen Ranch Road by taking Main Street and then zigzagging on numerous roads. Although Bear Valley Road is 3 miles north of Main Street, time wise, Bear Valley is just as fast as Main Street which has more traffic lights and greater traffic. Bear Valley is less developed, yet offers fuel stations, fast foods, markets and other amenities.
Although the last 7 miles to Bowen Ranch involves unpaved desert roads, the area has many residents and the roads are frequently traveled. So don't worry about getting stranded and having your bones bleach white before help arrives.
Local map to Deep Creek Hot Springs
San Bernardino NF Offices
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