Hot Spring
Hot Spring near Janesville produces 204°F water, among the hottest in northeastern California, with a temperature differential of 150°F above the ambient air in this sagebrush and juniper landscape.
The spring sits at 4,041 feet elevation, requiring a 910-foot walk across high desert terrain. The landscape is defined by the transition zone between pine forest and sagebrush steppe, with sparse vegetation, dramatic seasonal temperature swings, and clear night skies typical of the interior plateau.
Approach via roads near Janesville and Highway 395. The extreme water temperature (204°F) demands extreme caution—thermal burns occur within seconds. Approach only downstream of the main vent where cooling has occurred. Access is seasonal; winter snowpack may block roads.
This extreme-temperature spring emerges from crustal depth in the geothermal corridor that extends from the Modoc Plateau through to California's volcanism. Its heat reflects the region's position above elevated thermal gradients and possible proximity to buried magma systems.
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Overview Black Mountain Lookout remained closed for the 2020 season and is expected to remain closed into 2021. Closure is due to COVID related demands in maintaining a safe environment for our customers and our staff. Black Mountain Lookout is located on the eastern edge of the Beckwourth Ranger District, 10 miles from Highway 395, near Milford, California. The lookout was constructed in 1934 and is a great example of Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) architecture. The C-3-type lookout is si...
Hot Spring is road-accessible, so you can bring more gear. The water is dangerously hot — bring water shoes and test pools carefully.
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