Jordan Hot Springs
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| Jordan Hot Springs | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Soaking Pool at Jordan Hot Springs | |
 Interactive map of Jordan Hot Springs | |
| Location | Northwest of the town of Little Lake, California |
| Coordinates | 36°13′44″N 118°18′07″W / 36.229°N 118.302°W |
| Elevation | 6,500 feet |
| Type | geothermal |
| Temperature | 120°F |
Jordan Hot Springs is series of thermal mineral springs located in the Golden Trout Wilderness, Inyo National Forest, California.[1][2]
Prior to European contact, the hot springs and the surrounding areas were used by the local Indigenous people for centuries as a summer encampment area. In 1857, John Jordan, a Texan, and his family moved to Tulare County during the gold and silver rush. Later, in 1861 he blazed a trail to the hot springs and filed a petition to build a toll road, called the Jordan Trail. The following year he drowned in the Kern River while navigating a raft across the river. In the late 19th century a grouping of log cabins and a logging camp was built.[3][2]
In 1992, Jordan Hot Springs received National Historic Landmark status.[2]
Description
There are at least fourteen hot springs making up the Jordan Hot Springs system.[2] Hot mineral water emerges from the springs at 120°F, and flows down to meet Nine Mile Creek where it cools and collects in a series of primitive rock-walled soaking pools of various temperatures. The average temperature of the water in the soaking pools is 104°F.[4] The cooler soaking pools are 94°F.[5] There is also a small, two-foot deep concrete-lined soaking pool.[1]
The ruins of an abandoned early 20th century resort camp are nearby.[4]