Seeps (Hills Warm Spring)
The seeps known as Hills Warm Spring flow at 83°F in Lake County, straddling the Oregon-Nevada border at 5,530 feet elevation. Water runs 36.6°F above ambient air on BLM public lands managed by the Applegate Field Office. The springs sit 248 meters from the nearest road, requiring a moderate walk across high desert terrain near Lakeview.
The seeps emerge in the transition zone between Oregon's Great Basin high desert and the Modoc Plateau, characterized by sagebrush flats, juniper-dotted slopes, and distant volcanic peaks. At 5,530 feet elevation, the site receives 15.0 inches annual precipitation and 60.2 inches of snow, supporting more vegetation than lower-elevation Nevada basins. The surrounding BLM lands are subject to grazing and other extractive uses under Category 3 protection. Terrain consists of gentle basin slopes with scattered outcrops typical of the Warner Mountains foothills.
Visit May through October when snow has melted and unpaved roads become passable. High-clearance vehicles are recommended for accessing BLM backcountry. The 5,530-foot elevation brings cool nights even in summer and substantial winter snowpack. Bring sturdy footwear for the quarter-kilometer walk from road to spring. Combine with visits to Lakeview's geothermal features, Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge, or Oregon's lesser-known hot springs in the Warner Valley area.
The "Hills Warm Spring" name likely references a ranching family or topographic feature. The Lakeview area supported Northern Paiute communities who utilized thermal springs throughout the region. Euro-American settlement followed the 1860s mining rushes, with ranching becoming the dominant land use. The spring remains undeveloped on BLM public lands. Specific documentation of this feature's historical use is limited.
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Seeps (Hills Warm Spring) sits at 5,530 feet above sea level, way above the mile-high mark. You may not feel the altitude strongly, but hot water still dehydrates you faster at elevation. UV is about 22% stronger than at sea level, so bring sunscreen and drink more water than you normally would.
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Seeps (Hills Warm Spring) is road-accessible, so you can bring more gear.
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