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It's Only Squirrels

The first week of November found us traveling up Highway 395 from Fossil Falls to Hot Creek Geothermal Area. This area is so diverse and interesting!

The creek begins its course in the eastern Sierra Nevada named as Mammoth Creek. It originates as an outflow of Twin Lakes, just south of Mammoth Mountain and above the town of Mammoth Lakes. The stream is primarily sourced from melted snow water at 8,500 feet (2,600 m) above sea level. It is quite cold, rarely being above 50 °F (10 °C). As Mammoth Creek leaves the Sierra and flows east into the Long Valley Caldera it is joined by warmer water from geothermal springs at the Hot Creek State Fish Hatchery. From this confluence the stream is named Hot Creek, though its water temperature seldom exceeds 68 °F (20 °C) until it reaches Hot Creek Gorge, 8 miles (13 km) east of Mammoth Lakes.

Back in the heyday, it used to be the place to hang out and soak. My research indicates that there used to be walkways and such so that you could see the steamvents and mudpots. Then of course, the drunkards came along and started trashing the place so the USFS fenced it off (I guess a few of those drunk people fell into the boiling water and mud) and didn't allow camping on the rim.

Mike and I arrived there early in the day to scout out some places to photograph the sunset and sunrise the next morning. There are some really cool looking blue pools that are across the creek. Mike managed to figure out a way to drive to the other side so that I could photograph them. The time of day wasn't conducive to beautiful photographs but they will at least give you an idea.

The blue pools at Hot Creek Geothermal Area-Michele James Photography, a California Photographer

We tried to capture good sunset photos but the sky was very uneventful. We did notice, however, that the steam became more apparent as the evening cooled down. We decided to go find a place to camp and get ready for the sunrise.

Failed Sunset Shoot - Michele James Photography, a California Photographer

We found a really cool place overlooking the creek. It was kind of weird. As I was looking around I found a gravestone for a dog. Someone thought highly of their dog to bury him on the bluff overlooking Hot Creek! It was getting brutally cold so we climbed into the back of the pickup and into our sleeping bags. Despite being exhausted, it was a sleepless night. Weird noises under and around the pickup. Mike tried to convince me that it was just squirrels. Sure. Whatever.

So dawn arrives and we get up. It was so cold. It was down to 21 degrees. I was kind of excited because I was sure that the steam would be rolling off Hot Creek! I was lucky and had mittens. Someone else didn't have any but he improvised with socks. What a fashion statement.

Sock Mittens - Michele James Photography, a California Photographer

So we hustle down to our predesignated spots and set up. The sun starts to peek around. Clouds start to trickle in. Then it all stops. It wasn't the sunrise of my dreams but I made due. This would be a place I would go back to!

Hot Creek Geothermal Area at Dawn - Michele James Photography, a California Photographer

DIRECTIONS:

From Hwy 395 take the Hot Creek Hatchery Road, located 15 mins South of Mammoth Lakes. You will then proceed 2 miles on paved road and 3 miles on gravel road. Hot Creek is located on the left hand side.

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