We were looking for a quick and easy hike with minimal driving and so opted for a short hike and long soak at Deep Creek Hot Springs. It wouldn't be anything new and pretty mild for a adventure but a natural hot water soak is always a good option. Deep Creek was in rare boatable flow (1300 dropping to 1000 cfs); I was initially debating bringing my packraft with the idea of hiking the PCT upstream of the hot springs to paddle a new section solo but eventually decided a chill soak would be a better use of the day. I had hoped that higher flows would discourage visitors to the hot springs- I was partially right. We drove around and through freestanding water on the backroads around Bowen Ranch to the closest parking area on the north side of the river. It was a beautiful day out in the desert with crisp blue skies and dark clouds sitting over the mountains. It was also exceptionally windy! Between the cool temperatures, screaming wind, and steep trail, we made quick (25min) work of the one mile descent down to the river, which was running high as expected.
We could see a number people across the way at the hot springs and a toy raft on the other side. I inflated my Supai raft, assembled my Olo paddle, and we tied parachord and then a throw rope to the boat to be able to retrieve it for the second person across. I led with my pack, Heather followed. The other folks at the hot springs seemed impressed at our forethought and plan and we soon heard nearly everyone's story of awkwardly trying to cross by swimming or using the toy boat without a paddle. There was a group of five first-time backpackers without a clear plan of how to cross back and a group of three that crossed at 8am and brought nothing across except their weed (which they got soaking wet...). Lots of people shenanigans but the soaking was great and it was much less windy down by the river.
The downstream pool was just above lukewarm as always. The upper concrete pool was much less warm than usual as most of the hot water was being diverted through tubing direct to the lower "womb" pool just above the river. The lower pool was also piled up high with sandbags such that it was much larger and deeper than I had ever seen it. This volume diluted the warmth but this was still the clear winner as a hangout spot. This pool was more picturesque than ever.
A couple other groups arrived via the PCT, the long way that does not require a river crossing. We sat and soaked for hours in the pleasant pool. A large group of over 12 people arrived on the other side of the river, providing entertainment as many decided what to do with the river in front of them. Only two people eventually working up the courage to swim the frigid snowmelt. We ended with a brief soak in the shallow, but scenic and nearly scalding, pool next to the PCT only 20 ft down from a boiling source, and then crossed back with some mild fanfare. Annoyingly the snap attachment on my paddle was being stubborn, but Heather eventually followed.
Just as we left the river a large Hispanic family with grandparents and many kids in tow arrived on the wrong side of the river and we shuddered to think whether they would attempt crossing. We climbed back up the trail and out the road network without incident. All in all it was a nice few hours of soaking on a beautiful day.
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