Sespe Hot Springs

Sespe Hot Springs (Chumash: S'eqp'e') are a system of thermal spring seeps that form a hot spring creek in the desert mountains near the Sespe Condor Sanctuary near Ojai, California.[1]

Sespe Hot Springs
Sespe hot river
Sespe Wilderness
Locationnear the Sespe Condor Sancturary in California
CoordinatesGPS N 34 25.680 W 118 59.870
Elevation2,700 feet
Typegeothermal
Temperature194°F / 90°C

Description

The hot springs were used for centuries by local indigenous people for their warmth and healing properties.[2] The hot springs and hot creek are located in a remote desert mountainous area in Los Padres National Forest.[3] The hot mineral water emerges from the ground at 194 °F / 90 °C[4] through a series of seeps that flows down a hillside, cooling as it enters several primitive, rock and boulder-lined soaking pools.[3] The temperature of the water cools as it mixes with cool water from a creek. Several seeps along the creekside emerge at cooler temperatures than the main springs. At the site, there is also a primitive rock sauna, and a hot waterfall.[1][5]

Location

The hot springs are accessible on foot or by horseback only. There are three rugged trails leading to the springs. The springs can be reached via the Sespe River Trail (16.8 miles each way); the Johnson Ridge Trail (9.5 miles each way); and the Alder Creek Trail (7.5 miles each way).[5] Willett Hot Springs are also located in the Sespe Wilderness area.[6]

See also

References
  1. Gersh-Young, Marjorie (2011). Hot Springs and Hot Pools in the Southwest. Santa Cruz, California: Aqua Thermal. pp. 186–187. ISBN 978-1-890880-09-5.
  2. McCall, Lynne; Perry, Rosalind (2002). California's Chumash Indians : a project of the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Education Center. San Luis Obispo, California: EZ Nature Books. ISBN 0936784156. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
  3. Martín, Hugo (7 December 2008). "Sespe Hot Springs in Ventura County: a hot time in the wilderness". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
  4. Berry, George W.; Grim, Paul J.; Ikelman, Joy A. (1980). Thermal Spring List for the United States. Boulder, Colorardo: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
  5. "Sespe Hot Springs, Ojai Ranger District" (PDF). Los Padres National Forest, U.S. Dept of Agriculture. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
  6. "Willet and Sespe Hot Springs". Hidden California. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.