Turkey Creek Hot Springs, New Mexico

Nowadays google tells us even a little-known hot spring deep in the mountains.

It may not be a truly secluded hot spring.

Challenging Trail

There are several natural hot springs gushing in Gila National Forest.

Today I will visit a relatively challenging hot springs that need around 18 miles trekking for the round trip.

It is as far as Jordan Hot Springs, but the trail is in a worse condition.

The trail branches from the main path at the signpost "TRAIL NOT MAINTAINED AND DANGEROUS," and walking along the mountain stream continues.

Few hikers are seen in the route, so prepare not to get lost in the mountains.

I brought a tent, sleeping bag, water cleaner, sufficient food, terrain map, and GPS application just to make sure.

The color of Turkey Creek is apparently different from ordinary ones, which means quite a lot of hot springs water get mixed.

Along the mountain stream, sometimes I climbed massive rocks and got into the deep water.

Plunge Basin

Around the sources of hot springs, the water level of the stream is low.

Instead, there are several orange-tan colored hot springs pools at the riverside.

The water temp is too hot (around 167 degrees F) to dip in.

The amount of the river water gradually increases due to the hot springs water gushing.

At the lowermost point of the geothermal area, there is a plunge basin around seven feet depth.

The water temp of the river goes up to 109 degrees F, which enables comfortable soaking.

What a wonderful place it is here.

The plenty of hot water makes the pool always clean.

Indeed, there are some hot springs rivers in the world, like Grutas Tolantongo.

However, it is normal that those places are maintained by spa facilities.

Turkey Creek Hot Springs would be one of truly secluded hot springs.

Such wonderful place exists unbeknown to most people.

Summary