Fish Spring
Fish Spring flows at 75°F on remote BLM land straddling the Nevada-California border in Inyo County at 4,880 feet elevation. Water chemistry shows extreme sodium-chloride dominance with 1,550 mg/L chloride and 1,320 mg/L sodium, indicating deep-circulation through evaporite deposits. The spring emerges 18.7°F above ambient temperature, requiring a 2,044-meter hike from Grand Army of the Republic Highway through open public lands.
The spring occupies the transition zone between the Great Basin and Mojave Desert, where volcanic tablelands and alluvial fans descend toward ancient playa basins. At this mid-elevation position, high desert scrub vegetation including sagebrush, shadscale, and greasewood dots the landscape shaped by Pleistocene lake cycles and ongoing tectonic activity. The area receives 5.5 inches of annual precipitation with 13 inches of winter snow. Distant views extend across vast uninhabited basins toward the White Mountains and Sierra Nevada crest to the west.
Access requires substantial preparation for remote desert hiking with no trail. Spring through early summer provides best conditions before extreme heat; late fall through winter brings pleasant temperatures but freezing nights. Carry GPS, multiple water sources, and emergency shelter. Inform others of plans given cell coverage gaps. High-clearance vehicle recommended for approach roads. The significant hike distance and lack of amenities make this suitable only for experienced desert travelers seeking solitude.
Historical documentation for this remote spring is minimal. The name likely references endemic fish populations in nearby perennial waters, though no aquatic life surveys specific to this thermal feature are documented in federal records. The spring area falls within traditional territories of Northern Paiute groups who maintained seasonal camps at reliable water sources throughout this region. BLM jurisdiction dates to the 1946 establishment of grazing districts later consolidated under Federal Land Policy and Management Act authority.
The water at Fish Spring is slightly alkaline (pH 8.4) with 4388 mg/L total dissolved solids. It is notably rich in magnesium (known for muscle relaxation and stress relief), sodium (supports circulation and skin hydration), and sulfate (traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation).
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Fish Spring is road-accessible, so you can bring more gear.
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