Jordan Hot Springs is series of thermal mineral springs located in the Golden Trout Wilderness, Inyo National Forest, California.[1][2]
| Jordan Hot Springs | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Soaking Pool at Jordan Hot Springs | |
 | |
| Location | Northwest of the town of Little Lake, California |
| Coordinates | 36°13′44″N 118°18′07″W / 36.229°N 118.302°W |
| Elevation | 6,500 feet |
| Type | geothermal |
| Temperature | 120°F |
History
editPrior to European contact, the hot springs and the surrounding areas were used by the local Indigenous people for centuries as a summer encampment area. In 1857, John Jordan, a Texan, and his family moved to Tulare County during the gold and silver rush. Later, in 1861 he blazed a trail to the hot springs and filed a petition to build a toll road, called the Jordan Trail. The following year he drowned in the Kern River while navigating a raft across the river. In the late 19th century a grouping of log cabins and a logging camp was built.[3][2]
In 1992, Jordan Hot Springs received National Historic Landmark status.[2]
Description
editThere are at least fourteen hot springs making up the Jordan Hot Springs system.[2] Hot mineral water emerges from the springs at 120°F, and flows down to meet Nine Mile Creek where it cools and collects in a series of primitive rock-walled soaking pools of various temperatures. The average temperature of the water in the soaking pools is 104°F.[4] The cooler soaking pools are 94°F.[5] There is also a small, two-foot deep concrete-lined soaking pool.[1]
The ruins of an abandoned early 20th century resort camp are nearby.[4]
Location
editThe spring can be reached by way of a trail originating at the Blackrock Station, the trail descends 3,000 feet during the six mile hike to the springs; the moderately rigorous return hike ascends 3,000 feet.[1][6] GPS coordinates: N 36 13.740 W 118 18.120. There are other hot springs in the area, Middle Fork Hot Springs (also known as Lightfeather Hot Springs) is 8 miles downstream, and Meadows Warm Springs are 4 miles upstream from Jordan Hot Springs.[5]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c Gersh-Young, Marjorie (2011). Hot Springs and Hot Pools in the Southwest. Santa Cruz, California: Aqua Thermal. p. 183. ISBN 978-1-890880-09-5.
- ^ a b c d "HISTORY OF JORDAN HOT SPRINGS Inyo National Forest Mount Whitney Ranger District" (PDF). Owens Valley History. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forestry Service, Sequoia National Forest. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
- ^ Reynolds, Linda A. "Jordan Hot Springs". Owens Valley History. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
- ^ a b Lee, Steve. "Jordan Hot Springs via Blackrock Trailhead". The Outdoor Project. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
- ^ a b Bischoff, Matt C. (2008). Touring New Mexico Hot Springs. Guilford, CT and Helena, MT: Falcon: Globe Pequot Press. pp. 40–42. ISBN 978-0-7627-4582-1.
- ^ "Jordan Hot Springs". Modern Hiker. Retrieved 28 October 2020.