Mt Whitney Zone Forums The Chat Room Lewis Creek Trail Hot Spring

Our Uncle Tommy told us of a hot spring near Corlieu Falls along the Lewis Creek trail north of Oakhurst. We thought he was blowing "steam" just like he always do, but he had this serious look about him like "No, I am not kidding this time."

My wife and I decided to take him up on it and hiked to the spring source yesterday, 01-10-10. Sure enough, there it was against and in the rock face. To the casual observer, you would never know it was there.

We crossed over upstream to the other side. The terrain was a bit steep, but we managed to hold our footing. One misplaced step and SPLASH into the creek you go!

The temperature is around 100

> Steve C, any thoughts on this? Don't tell me you didn't know this!

No! never heard about it. Wagga, how about you?

The Sierra Club here was always doing a Lewis Creek hike in winter time, but I never heard any mention of the hot spring. (And I never got around to doing that hike with them.)

So how far is the hike? Is it part of the Lewis Creek trail, or completely different. If part of the trail, how far OFF the trail is it?

And is the hot spring big enough for someone to get in?

You said it was too hot, but 100

You take the Lewis Creek Trail downstream. When you come upon the Corlieu Falls, go off trail and walk towards the creek. When you see the acorn pits in the granite by the creek, you know you are in the right spot. To the right are some rocks. Climb up, look over and you will notice "black water."

With the other hot springs you mentioned, I would be curious as to how all of this ties in. Then again, how many more have yet to be discovered.

I just find this stuff fascinating.

I bet you are Googling now, ain't yah!

Actually, you just go to the parking area (East of 41). Walk down until you you see old Corlieu's grave (look for the cross).

Corlieu was the caretaker for that segment of the flume.

If you go a little downstream, there is lots of lumber from the flume to the west (right) of the trail.

The hot springs are just slightly above the falls. You should be able to spot the man-made stone wall.

My memory is a little rusty as to the exact date, but there was a time when blokes from the lumbering areas would ride the flume down on a log to get to Clovis for a party...

That's the one! The man-made stone wall with a pipe jutting out from it.

Thanks for the info and the history, wagga.

Doing some homework...

I am definitely intrigued about all of this lore.

Personally, I have to admit to a wondrous experience in the area, just a few meters from the vanilla/chocolate/cinnamon Ponderosa west of the trail, downstream from the Hot Springs. This being a family oriented forum, my lips are sealed...