Deep Creek Hot Springs
Apple Valley, California 92308 United States
Deep Creek Hot Springs, southeast of the high desert town of Apple Valley, 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...
New Trailhead?
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I sometimes read deepcreekhotsprings.net to get updates on the hot springs and I've noticed some hubbub lately regarding a new way to access the springs from the Bowen ranch direction. It seems like people are saying that next door to mike there is now a new neighbor who you can pay to park instead of Mike Castro, It's all a little vague but people make reference to better facilities etc.
I haven't been up to the hot springs in a while due to the weather and was wondering if anyone who has could shed some light on this. Exactly how does doing business with these new people compare to doing business with mike, are they nudist friendly? As I understand it, to reach the new place you make a right off of the road to mikes when you're fairly close to mikes, is this correct?
I was wondering if they would be open this weekend. On their website they say they have a textile optional area. So the new location sounds friendly. But if they are not open, does anyone know of you can still hike to the springs? Thinking about an early morning soak this Saturday.
Trail update:
I was able to hike in from Bowen Ranch on Sat morning early. The new campground past Bowen was still closed and I never got a return call. The gate was locked up. But Deep Creek was super crowded. Way too many tents and people. The tents went all the way up stream throughout the rocks. I cant image the trash situation after Monday.
I got in super early at 6:45am. I was able to get into the lower pool and had it to myself. So was able to drink my morning coffee and watch the sun come up over the hills. The at 645am the other pools had people and everyone was nude. That was nice because I dont like to be the only nude. But when the sun started hitting the tents everyone started to wake up. Only a few nude people by the time I left at 10am. A quick sunrise soak was what I was looking for. So perfect morning.
I was up there about 3 weeks ago. Bowen Ranch is open but you can't get to the old parking area so the hike is longer. The better way is to turn right on the newly cut road just before entering the Bowen Ranch property and going around that way. The charge is $10/person and they are in the process of building it up as a camping site before you drive on down to the old parking area.