Hot Creek Geologic Site — Attraction in Mammoth Lakes

I've been coming here since the mid-1960s. As a child we bathed in Hot Creek--soap, shampoo, and all in bathing suits. We all had Hot Creek (water) shoes so our feet wouldn't get cut on the sharp rocks. In the late 1960s hippies started hanging out here and they brought big bottles of cheap wine which ended up broken and dangerous. Since Hot Creek is geologically active it changes from year to year. It is much more active now than it was in the 60s and 70s and much more dangerous. Back in the 60s and 70s sometimes you could stand right over where the hottest water was coming out and you wouldn't get scalded, but usually we stood in the water between the cold creek and hot pots to get a mixed temperature that was just right. Hot Creek was one of the filming locations for Nevada Smith in 1964. It was also one of the sets for the original True Grit movie with John Wayne. It's where they had a stakeout and shootout at a cabin along the creek. The only reason I didn't rank it 5 stars is because you really aren't supposed to go in the water anymore and it's too dangerous to do so unless you go down...

Hot Creek Geologic Site is one of those spots that never gets old. Every time I visit, the views of the steaming blue pools against the Sierra backdrop are just as jaw-dropping. The geothermal springs here are wild to see up close, but definitely don’t touch: the water is dangerously hot and unpredictable, so swimming or soaking is a hard no. There are plenty of warning signs, and for good reason. Better to stick to the trails and enjoy the views from a safe distance.

If you’re into fly fishing, this stretch of creek is legendary for its crystal-clear water, beautiful scenery, and solid chances at hooking some trout. The hike down is short but can get steep in places, so trekking poles help if you’ve got mobility concerns. I wouldn’t recommend bringing pets or small kids since there are no railings and the hot springs can be risky. If you’re craving a soak, check out Wild Willy’s Hot Springs nearby instead.

Bonus: the drive in is easy for most cars, there’s plenty of parking, and the sunsets here are unreal, perfect for photos or just soaking in the Eastern...

Very cool to see! However for some reason I thought it was somewhere you could possibly get close to. I recommend not spending too much time here but to see it get some pics and leave.

Hot Creek is a place to marvel at geology in action. Boiling water bubbling up from the creek bed, fumaroles and periodic geyser eruptions at Hot Creek attest to the chamber of hot magma which lies about three miles below the surface of the earth in this area. The steam you see along the Hot Creek drainage is created when water percolates deep into the ground and enters a complex underground plumbing system. The water is heated and pressurized before it rises to the earth's surface. It is believed this journey takes around 1000 years. Earthquakes can cause sudden geyser eruptions and overnight appearances of new hot springs at Hot Creek. Water temperatures can change rapidly, and so entering the water...