Travertine Hot Springs

Travertine Hot Springs are a group of geothermal mineral springs located near the town of Bridgeport, California.

Travertine Hot Springs
Trail to Travertine Hot Springs
Locationnear Bridgeport, California
CoordinatesGPS N 38 14.729 W 119 12.323
Elevation6,700 feet
Typegeothermal spring
Temperature180°F

Geography

The springs are located two miles Southeast of Bridgeport, California on several sizeable travertine terraces, overlooking views of the High Sierra mountains.[1] Volunteers have built a series of primitive rock pools and wood-and-concrete enclosures to contain the water, and to control temperature by diverting the flow through stepped channels.[1] The springs are located on California State Park land.[2]

History

For hundreds of years the hot mineral springs were used by local indigenous people and later early settlers. In the early 1900s the first pool was built for dipping sheep; some of the wooden planks currently at the site are the original boards.[1]

Water profile

The hot mineral water emerges from several geothermal fissures in the ground at 180°F (82°C) and are cooled to 115°–156°F as they progress through the travertine terraces.[3] Due to underground movement caused local and regional earthquakes, the temperature fluctuates.[1]

References
  1. Gersh-Young, Marjorie (2010). Hot Springs and Hot Pools of the Southwest. Santa Cruz, California: Aqua Therma Press. p. 164. ISBN 1890880094.
  2. "California's Eastern Sierra: Hot Springs". Monocounty.org. Retrieved 1 March 2020.
  3. Berry, George W.; Grim, Paul J.; Ikelman, Joy A. (1980). Thermal Springs List for the United States. Boulder, Coloratdo: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. p. 12.
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