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Turnoff to the North Pass Just west of Big Pine on Hwy 168, this turnoff takes you up 14 miles of paved road to the intersection with Saline Valley Road, which is where the dirt road starts and the fun begins. |
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Saline Valley Road This view greets you after coming down off the North Pass and exiting the canyon. Saline Valley is in the far distance. |
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Lower springs camp This camp area at the lower springs would be crowded if the water hadn't quit. Inyo Mountains in the distance. |
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Lonely outhouse There is no waiting at this lower springs outhouse, an official NPS structure. Inyo Mountains in the distance. |
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Sunrise Pool Sunrise pool at the lower springs is the only one still flowing. Water volume is greatly reduced, as is the temperature. |
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The Source Source spring for the lower pools looks about the same, with the addition of a few signs. |
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The Source Source spring water level and temperature have both dropped. Pray (or whatever you do) for a return to the wonderful conditions of yore. |
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Crystal Pool Water no longer fills the Crystal pool. New benches surround the campfire area in the background. |
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The Lawn The lawn at the lower springs is still in great shape. Despite the spring problem, everyone still keeps the area neat and clean. |
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Bathing Area The shower and tub at the lower spring no longer provide a soothing place to wash off the desert dust. |
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Inyo Mountains A February storm piled clouds on the Inyos, but the rain shadow effect kept it from creeping over into Saline Valley. |
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At the Sunrise Pool A group gathers to watch the slow filling of the Sunrise pool, rather than enjoying a soak as was done in former times. |
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On the road This chap and his rig are negotiating the road between the upper and lower springs. |
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Palm Springs camp This campsite is one of many around Palm Springs springs. Most campers have migrated up here since the lower springs petered out. |
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Wizard Pool The Wizard Pool is as inviting and warm as ever, but there are now too many bodies for the available hot water. |
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Wizard Pool With the lower springs defunct, soakers now crowd the Wizard pool, making it a bit tough to get a spot. |
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Volcano Pool At the Palm Springs area, the Volcano pool still works. The temperature is cooler than Wizard, making soaking pretty much a daytime affair. |
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Inyo clouds Low clouds over the Inyo Mountains make for beautiful shafts of sunlight in the afternoon. |
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Peace Mountain This red cinder cone stands out from the surrounding brown mountains. Personally, I wish people hadn't marred it with the symbol. |
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Inyo Mountains Swirling clouds and shafts of sunlight give the Inyo Mountains a dramatic and mystical air. |
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Hiker with a view Hiking up the old lava flows north of the springs area yields spectacular views across Saline Valley. |
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Desert holly You've got to be mighty hungry, but you can eat this shrub. Desert holly's spring green tinge turns to pure white later in the season. |
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Chicken Strip Be sure you are damn good before trying to land on the Chicken Strip, just NW of the springs. You only get one try, and it isn't exactly smooth concrete. |
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My rig My truck/camper combo is perfect for desert travel. Even so, it's still possible to get stuck in Saline Valley when the weather goes bad and it snows on the passes. This trip, it did snow, but not enough to extend our trip. |