Hot Creek Geological Site (Mammoth Lakes)

Recently, Ashley as well as I had the gamble to watch as well as exercise some hiking at the Hot Creek Geological Site close Mammoth Lakes, California. The Western Unites U.S. of A. has over 100 geothermal areas as well as generally, when most people think of geothermal areas they automatically intend of Yellowstone National Park, which is the most impressive geothermal expanse inwards the world. However, i of the other impressive geothermal areas is correct hither inwards California's Long Valley inwards Eastern California betwixt Mono Lake as well as the caput of the Owens Valley. The Long Valley Caldera expanse has sporadically active geysers inwards add-on to the to a greater extent than mutual phenomena of fumaroles, mudpots, as well as hot springs. One of the primary features of this expanse is the Hot Creek Geological Site which is a fun curt hike that the entire solid unit of measurement tin exercise together. For to a greater extent than pictures of the Hot Creek Geological Site Hike brand certain to banking concern jibe out our Facebook Page.

Directions to Trailhead: To larn to the Hot Creek Geological Site you lot are going to cause got highway 395 towards Mammoth Lakes, California. Exit highway 395 at the Hot Creek Hatchery Road, located unopen to 10 minutes South of Mammoth Lakes, correct past times the Mammoth Yosemite Airport. The Hot Creek Geological Site is some other 3.3 miles from the larn out off of highway 395. Approximately a mile as well as a one-half subsequently the larn out off of highway 395, the Hot Creek Hatchery Road turns into a dirt/gravel route (The route is maintained good plenty for cars to drive on the road). The parking expanse for the Hot Creek Geological Site is good marked as well as is located on the left paw side of the road. There is no terms for parking hither as well as the expanse is opened upwards sunrise to sunset. During the wintertime months you lot may access the Hot Creek Geological Site past times snowmobile, snowshoe, or cross-country skiing.

Description of Trail: The hiking trail for the Hot Creek Geological Site hike inwards the Eastern Sierras is good hold as well as is really short. From the parking expanse at that spot is a paved trail that heads downward to the Hot Creek Geological Site. You volition transcend multiple signs that cause got data close the geothermal activity establish inwards this expanse every bit good every bit numerous alarm as well as danger signs telling visitors non to swim inwards the H2O or walk off trail close the geothermal features. On the hike downward you lot volition come across much of the geothermal features as well as at the bottom at that spot is a dirt trail you lot tin move along to sentiment the entirety of the Hot Creek Geological Site. This hike is 0.5 miles roundtrip amongst less than fifty feet of elevation gain/loss as well as is a fun curt hike to a slap-up geothermal area.

Further Thoughts: Ashley as well as I actually enjoyed this fun curt hike to the Hot Creek Geological Site.  It was slap-up to live on able to come across the unlike colors inwards the hot springs as well as to come across fumaroles as well as bubbling hot H2O coming into the creek. You tin genuinely sit down dorsum as well as taste this expanse as well as marvel at the geology inwards action. Boiling H2O bubbling upwards from the creek bed, fumaroles as well as periodic geyser eruptions at Hot Creek attest to the sleeping accommodation of hot magma which lies close iii miles below the surface of the basis inwards this expanse inwards what is formally known every bit the Long Valley Caldera.

This share was is a large volcano which had such a massive eruption unopen to 760,000 years agone it resulted inwards the Long Valley Caldera, which is a xx past times 10 mile depression higher upwards a subterranean reservoir of molten rock, that continues to movement instability inwards the shape of frequent earthquakes as well as occasional eruptions. The steam you lot come across along the Hot Creek drainage is created when H2O percolates deep into the basis as well as enters a complex hugger-mugger plumbing system. The H2O is heated as well as pressurized earlier it rises to the earth's surface. It is believed this journeying takes around 1,000 years. Earthquakes cause got been known inwards the past times to movement precipitous geyser eruptions inwards this areas every bit good every bit exercise novel hot springs at Hot Creek overnight. Water temperatures tin alter quickly inwards this area, as well as and thus entering the H2O is prohibited for security reasons.

The beautiful bluish pools as well as impressive boiling fountains along Hot Creek cause got provided enjoyment to generations of visitors, exactly they cause got likewise been the movement of injury or piece of job to some who cause got disregarded warnings as well as fences. The springs as well as geysers inwards the current bed as well as along its banks alter location, temperature, as well as stream rates often as well as unpredictably. Fences that previously protected the populace directly run through active hot pools. The fences as well as novel pools emphasize how this geologically active expanse has been changing inwards our lifetime. The hot springs as well as geysers of Hot Creek are visible signs of dynamic geologic processes inwards this volcanic region, where hugger-mugger oestrus drives thermal saltation activity.

Rating: Elevation Gain: < fifty ft. (Very Easy), Distance: 0.5 Miles Roundtrip (Very Easy).

Time to Complete Hike: thirty minutes.


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