Plan Your Visit
Last Updated: Wednesday, 22-Dec-2004 09:39:46 Eastern Standard Time |
|
Arizona Hot Springs Hike
[Back to Hiking Page]
The Arizona Hot Springs consist of groundwater that is heated at depth by contact with molten rock and moves to the surface through faults at the rate of 400 gallons per minute. The water temperature is between 85 degrees to 120 degrees farenheit. It is highly mineralized containing chloride, sulphate, sodium, potassium, calcium, and fluoride.
White Rock Canyon is a strikingly beautiful volcanic area. There is a wide variety of desert plants to be found, including indigo bush, ground cherry, rush-milkweed, rabbit brush, Mormon tea, desert fir, cheesebush, globemallow, desert tobacco, desert trumpet, rock nettle, rock daisy, and windmills. Rocks are primarily volcanic and volcanic ash, with some granite boulders washed down from the Black Mountains.
Arizona Hot Springs hike is not advised in the summer. If you choose to go, take lots of water and watch out for rattlesnakes. Do not put your hands or feet on ledges, in bushes, under or around rocks where you cannot see.
For your safety, it is recommended you stay on established trails.
Length - 6 miles roundtrip
Time - 5 hours plus time to soak in hot springs
Elevation gain - 800'
Rated - moderately strenuous
Directions to the Hot Springs
Hike down a spectacular volcanic canyon to the Colorado River below Hoover Dam and relax in a pleasant hot spring in a nearby side canyon.
From the Alan Bible Visitor Center, follow US Hwy 93 east 8.4 miles (4.2 miles past Hoover Dam). A dirt parking area can be seen on your right.
Your car is now parked at the head of the White Rock Canyon.
Follow this wash downhill to the river. Follow the river 1/4 mile south over the hill where you will find the hot springs up the side canyon. Warning: A 20' ladder must be climbed to reach the best hot springs. This canyon gets its name from a huge white boulder that was carried down the canyon by a flash flood. Exact time of that flood is not known.
Warning - Naegleria fowleria, an amoeba common to thermal pools, may be present and could enter through the nose causing a rare infection and death. Do not dive into pools, splash water, or submerge your head.
Return to Top
|
