Outdoor Adventures with Ancient Brit
PCT 2002 - May 28th Supply Break
Supply Break: Tuesday 28th May
I first visited Hot Creek where a series of hot springs feed into the creek with
temperatures up to 200ºF, which is boiling at this altitude. Swimming and bathing is not
recommended but is widely done and many people have died from scalds they have
received in the creek.
Nude bathing is not allowed but I imagine it is practised when it is less crowded. It was
fairly busy while I was there and I did not risk the hot water. I then passed the
Whitmore Hot Springs where the springs feed a commercial swimming pool, which was
being renovated and went on to Hill Top Hot Spring.
This consisted of a single tub fed by a spring on top of the low hill. The temperature of
the water was controllable using a tap on the inlet pipe. There were magnificent views of
the High Sierra and a 360-degree vista of the mountains. The weather was hot, but
relieved by a breeze, which was enough to produce some “Dust Devils”, miniature
tornadoes, in the dry sandy terrain. The site was deserted when I arrived and I stripped
off for a soak before lunch. The only visitor during the afternoon was a lady hair stylist
from Mammoth who came to the springs regularly with her two dogs. One of the dogs
spent the afternoon chasing birds, mainly the Spotted Sandpiper, around the site.
I went into Mammoth for dinner and then returned to Hill Top for the night as I
hoped to get some good photographs of the High Sierra at dawn. As usual the springs
were busier as the sun set, with an interesting group of visitors. There were a couple of
“Big Wall” climbers. One was on his way to climb “El Cap” in the Yosemite, a 3,000ft
vertical rock face that could take up to a week to complete. There was a Scot who
emigrated to the USA 20 years ago, a young couple and another backpacker taking a
break before returning to the hills.
I first visited Hot Creek where a series of hot springs feed into the creek with
temperatures up to 200ºF, which is boiling at this altitude. Swimming and bathing is not
recommended but is widely done and many people have died from scalds they have
received in the creek.
Nude bathing is not allowed but I imagine it is practised when it is less crowded. It was
fairly busy while I was there and I did not risk the hot water. I then passed the
Whitmore Hot Springs where the springs feed a commercial swimming pool, which was
being renovated and went on to Hill Top Hot Spring.
This consisted of a single tub fed by a spring on top of the low hill. The temperature of
the water was controllable using a tap on the inlet pipe. There were magnificent views of
the High Sierra and a 360-degree vista of the mountains. The weather was hot, but
relieved by a breeze, which was enough to produce some “Dust Devils”, miniature
tornadoes, in the dry sandy terrain. The site was deserted when I arrived and I stripped
off for a soak before lunch. The only visitor during the afternoon was a lady hair stylist
from Mammoth who came to the springs regularly with her two dogs. One of the dogs
spent the afternoon chasing birds, mainly the Spotted Sandpiper, around the site.
I went into Mammoth for dinner and then returned to Hill Top for the night as I
hoped to get some good photographs of the High Sierra at dawn. As usual the springs
were busier as the sun set, with an interesting group of visitors. There were a couple of
“Big Wall” climbers. One was on his way to climb “El Cap” in the Yosemite, a 3,000ft
vertical rock face that could take up to a week to complete. There was a Scot who
emigrated to the USA 20 years ago, a young couple and another backpacker taking a
break before returning to the hills.
Dust Devil at Hill Top
Ancient Brit at Hill
Top Hot Spring
Top Hot Spring
High Sierra from Hill Top
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