Unnamed Thermal Spring
Flowing at 81°F just 14.7 meters from the nearest road at 4,600 feet elevation in Inyo County, this unnamed spring emerges 23.4 degrees above ambient air temperature on BLM Tonopah Field Office land near Dixon Lane-Meadow Creek in one of North America's most arid climates receiving just 4.8 inches of precipitation annually.
The roadside spring sits in extremely arid basin terrain where 11.2 inches of annual snowfall and 57.6-degree average temperature characterize the high desert environment. Water chemistry shows elevated mineralization with calcium at 94.2 mg/L, magnesium at 45 mg/L, sodium at 596 mg/L, sulfate at 586 mg/L, and chloride at 557 mg/L, indicating significant dissolved mineral content from deep circulation through fault systems typical of the eastern Sierra region.
The roadside location provides immediate access from the nearest road, though summer heat can be extreme in this shadeless location. The modest 81°F temperature makes this potentially suitable for bathing unlike hotter regional springs. Carry adequate water as the surrounding desert offers no facilities or natural water sources.
No documented name or historical record exists for this spring in available sources. The site's position on federal public land suggests it has remained undeveloped, known primarily through geothermal surveys rather than recreational or commercial use.
The water at This spring is slightly alkaline (pH 8.1) with 2275 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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this spring is road-accessible, so you can bring more gear.
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