Travertine hot spring is located just outside of Bridgeport, CA just off Rt 395 (N38 14.996 W119 12.970) and is on BLM land. The area is open year round to the public. Cars can get up to the area very easily, but the road is a dirt road and is a bit bumpy. Parking is at N38 14.737 W119 12.244. There is no camping and there are important Native American cultural resources in the area.
This cache may not exactly be kid friendly due to some people like to sun bath and soak in their birthday suits.
Throughout this area, unusual ridges of travertine extend over a landscape of alkali-encrusted meadows. It is believed that these ridges began forming over 10,000 years ago.
Hot underground water dissolves minerals from the rocks deep underground and then rises to the surface through cracks. At the surface, some of the water evaporates and what water is left cools. This forces the silica to precipitate back into a solid forming travertine. Through time, this deposition forms long ridges with fissure down the center where water may continue to flow along. This process is continuing even today at the ends of the ridges.
The water has been know to come out of the ground at over 150 degrees, but the temperature varies as with any natural system. The water travels along the ridge in the fissure (crack) and cools before it falls into small pools that people sit in and relax. The longest ridge is 850 ft. long and 15 ft. tall.
Near this area people used to mine the travertine for its beautiful patterns and polish the stone for decorative purposes. The mining has stopped many years ago so that the area can be protected for its beauty.
Investigations have been conducted to determine if the area is suitable for geothermal power, but the rocks deep below the surface are very weak making drilling very difficult.
Many people come to Travertine to enjoy the hot springs as well as study the areas geology and natural history. Many people also come to experience the solitude and peaceful surroundings. Enjoy the area and its splendor. You will really enjoy it. Explore and see all it has to offer. Be careful at the spring source as the water is very hot. It comes out of the ground very slowly and does not spray around. We have been to this area many times and enjoy it so much.
Logging requirements:
Send me a note with :
- The text "GC1DTQN Travertine Hot Springs" on the first line
- The number of people in your group.
- Being careful not to burn yourself, measure the temperature of the water near the source of the springs and at the end of the ridge. This will require a high temperature thermometer (an oven or candy thermometer). Post these measurements in your log as they will fluctuate. I'll add them to the clickable chart below periodically.
- Add any pictures you would like.
The above information was compiled from the following sources:
- Gregg Wilkerson Mark Milliken, Pierre Saint-Amand, David Saint-AmandROADSIDE GEOLOGY AND MINING HISTORY OWENS VALLEY AND MONO BASIN June 1 to 3, 2007 Updated Aug. 8, 2007 Sponsored by U.S. Bureau of Land Management