Soaking Up Life – Wild Willy’s Hot Springs (Crowley Hot Springs)
Texas may have been my first hot spring experience. Perhaps it was a regular spring – minus the hot. But it was marvelous. I absolutely adore the natural settings, the anticipation of, and the adventure involved in – actually getting to any kind of clear, remote, outdoor water. These oasis’s are usually secreted away as “locals only lore” or listed in older outdoor area guidebooks. Oops! Silly me, I mean, google-able all over the internet! The fun usually presents itself in ferreting through the associated perils often involved in these treks – getting really lost, mosquitoes, mud, (i.e., getting the car stuck), ticks, snakes, weather, nudity, and strange people. And we all know nudity and strange people can be a sketchy mix!
Heading into Yosemite from the east gate on the 120, I’d driven by Wild Willy’s Hot Springs many times before actually making the side trip. This time, I’d printed directions and google-mapped myself into a frenzy and had adequate confidence I knew how to find it. Heading north from Bishop on the 395, we exited at Benton Crossing Road, also called the “green church” exit, just before the Mammoth Airport. We then followed the road past three cattle guards (about 3 miles). Some internet directions say two cattle guards, but they are not counting the one you roll over immediately after taking the exit. After the third cattle guard, there is a dirt road on the right. Take it. Follow that along, about 1.5 miles. The hubby had all kinds of commentary like, “What’s a cattle guard?”, “Do you know where you’re going?”, “Are you sure?”. “I don’t really think . . . ” Eventually, you do flow into a parking lot. Eureka!
We did a quick clothing change behind the open doors of our car into swim suits, grabbed our towels, did a last minute porta-potty run (yes, there was one) and headed down the trail. It’s a mix of gravel and boardwalk, but gets you there directly without much elevation change. Fantastic views in all directions. We had arrived in the late afternoon, not planned, but convenient for photos as the “golden hour” fell upon us. We hit the smaller, heart shaped pool first because of it’s total lack of occupants. It was hot! The water was relatively clear and the bottom firm. A big plus.
After enjoying the gorgeous outdoor scenery, relaxing and, taking some photos, we waited for the standing naked guy holding an animated conversation with another group to wrap up both his conversation and his sarong before we mossied over to the larger spring. Not that we have any issues around nudity, but it would have been a bit awkward. Surely, we would have had to exchange pleasantries with “Wild Willy” flapping around in the breeze! Um ~ no. The larger spring had a sprinkling of people, a few small groups and some couples, everyone else opting for “clothing on”. The water was shallow, clear and cooler. Perfect for the warm weather on a lovely August day.
We relaxed on in. The sun lowered itself and a gentle breeze blew.
I’m going back.
Some other interesting and informative posts on Wild Willy’s to check out!
Outdoor Project – Wild Willy’s Hot Springs
California Through My Lens – Wild Willy’s Hot Springs
And I especially enjoyed this blot post from Whimsy Soul. It was much more crowded on her visit!
Whimsy Soul – Wild Willy’s Hot Springs – The Complete Guide
