Steve, for the last couple years I have made the Kern River loop in June (and sometimes again in early October), and yes, I always stop at the Hot Springs.
From Horseshow Meadows I head over Trail Pass, through Mulkey Meadows, Tunnel and down Golden Trout Creek to the Kern. From there, Junction Meadow, up Wallace Creek, and back to Horseshoe either over Army Pass or New Army depending.....but I always take the Old South Fork Trail out.
paul
