Deep Creek Hot Springs

This was a trip done with the Outdoors Club in CA.

The Deep Creek Hot Spring was accessed via the Bowen ranch complex (private property).  Once you get to Apple Valley you have to drive down some dirt roads.  It is recommend that you drive with a vehicle with some ground clearance.  The roads leading to Bowen Ranch are rough with a washboard effect due to erosion.  Once you get onto the Bowen Ranch there are some serious ruts.  I have seen people make it in with small compact cars, but be prepared to bottom out.

Once at the Bowen Ranch you will stop at the ranch house to pay your fee.  We rolled in at 9 PM.  Be prepared to receive a lecture if you brought beverages in a glass container: No glass allowed now. 

We rolled down to a car camping site and the group immediately set up our tents.  After about 20 minute to 30 minutes of camp chores, the fire was lit, the chairs were huddled around and good conversation ensued.  About 11 PM I decided I had enough, it took me 4 hours to get there (normally only 2) due to heavy traffic on a Friday night.  I was pretty beat so I just crawled into my tent.  Some in the group stayed up almost to about 2AM.

The next day the group got up at 6 Am and immediately started to take down the camp and pack the cars up.  It was a 1.8 mile hike to the hot springs.  The trailhead and the border of the San Bernardino National Forest.  The trail was pretty well defined and it follows a small ridge then descend across a fire road to the fire road.  The trail then follows along the ridge before it makes a sharp descent down to Deep Creek. The trail was well marked at all junctions.  Once you get to the bottom of the ridge you have to cross the creek.  There is a rope to assist. 

The hot springs have been actually captured in pools.  Stone walls have been erected to form little hot tubs.  The water temp was pretty hot in one well over 100 degrees.  Since this was July most just sat in the deep pools of the cool creek.  Just as a note, this area is frequented by nudists so be prepared and be respectful. 

I didn't stay too long - so at lunch time I packed out and took a nice slow walk back to the car.  I like to take pictures so it was nice strolling back at my own pace snapping a lot of pictures

Just remember when heading out not to turn onto the road, but cross the road to pick up the trail.  The trail back the Bowen Ranch is well marked.