Deep Creek Hot Springs is a series of warm and hot pools adjacent to Deep Creek within the San Bernardino National Forest. While the most popular hike in to the springs is via parking at Bowen Ranch on the Apple Valley side of the forest, a more challenging hike in begins from the Bradford Ridge Trailhead on the Lake Arrowhead side of the creek.
Covering a distance of about 3 miles one-way, the Bradford Ridge route passes a mostly shadeless rising and falling route that tops out to wide views across the cascading landscape, before descending down a steep and slippery sandy hillside about 400 feet before meeting up with the Pacific Crest Trail for the last stretch to the oasis-like springs area.
The trail rises and falls, with the round trip containing a total of about 1500' in elevation gain. With the trail beginning in the mountains near the end of a deadend unmaintained road (the former route of Hwy 173), the hike in can be slow, and the post-soak hike out even slower. Yucca line the trail, which is much more arid than the mountain landscape a short distance away.
The slope is the hardest part, and takes some time to navigate in both directions, dropping 400 feet in about a quarter of a mile.
Deep Creek Hot Springs themselves are a popular soaking and swimming spot, and you'll likely find quite a few other people in the area. Different pools vary in temperature from mid-90s to over 100 degrees, with the cold creek lying beside them to cool off in. Its location along the PCT brings an interesting mix of young people hiking in for the day with through hikers stopping in for a soak. One benefit of visiting from the Bradford Ridge side is not having to cross the cold waters of the creek in order to begin the hike back out.
There are no amenities of any kind at the trailhead, the springs, or along the trail. Hikers visiting the springs should be aware of the presence of the amoeba Naegleriasis in the water, which enter the brain through ears or nose cavities and can be fatal. Visitors should not dunk their heads in the hot springs at any time. Many of the soakers enjoy the springs nude, so visitors should not be surprised to find a clothing optional environment.
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