Grover Hot Springs

Grover Hot Springs State Park Our Mission The mission of California State Parks is to provide for the health, inspiration and education of the people of California by helping to preserve the state’s extraordinary biological diversity, protecting its most valued natural and cultural resources, and creating opportunities for high-quality outdoor recreation. The interplay of rock, heat, and water deep within the earth created the hot springs that attract visitors to this peaceful valley. California State Parks supports equal access. Prior to arrival, visitors with disabilities who need assistance should contact the park at (530) 694-2248. If you need this publication in an alternate format, contact interp@parks.ca.gov. CALIFORNIA STATE PARKS P.O. Box 942896 Sacramento, CA 94296-0001 For information call: (800) 777-0369 (916) 653-6995, outside the U.S. 711, TTY relay service www.parks.ca.gov Discover the many states of California.™ Grover Hot Springs State Park 3415 Hot Springs Road Markleeville, CA 96120 (530) 694-2248 Entrance/Camping (530) 694-2249 Pools © 2015 California State Parks H idden in quiet Hot Springs Valley on the eastern side of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, Grover Hot Springs State Park offers alpine vistas of granite peaks and wildflower meadows. After taking a brisk hike or a scenic stroll, visitors may soak in a mineral pool fed from six hot springs. At nearly 6,000 feet elevation, Hot Springs Valley has the unpredictable climate of the Sierra, with sudden thunderstorms. Average highs in July and August reach the high 80s while snowy winter lows can dip below 20°. PARK HISTORY Native People The ancestral lands of the Wašiw (Washo) people encompassed 1,500,000 acres around the Tahoe basin. Four bands of Washo lived around the lake. The Hung-a-lel-ti (southern band) of Washo lived in today’s Woodfords and Markleeville area, south of Lake Tahoe. The thermal waters-termed dih-teh-ee (our place) lo-om (hot springs)-were valued for health and spiritual benefits. The Washo still live on their ancestral lands; they use this park for plant harvesting and other activities. Washo family, ca. 1866 Gold and Silver Rushes After gold was discovered at Coloma in 1848 and the Comstock Lode of Nevada silver ore was found in 1859, droves of wealth-seekers flocked to and settled on Washo lands. More people came to this area (today’s Alpine County) after another silver strike at nearby Silver Mountain. Settlers imported livestock that trampled or ate the native vegetation, and the endemic fish in local streams, rivers and lakes were soon gone. Those indigenous people who survived the newly introduced European diseases and violence from the settlers struggled to preserve their language and customs. Today’s Washoe Tribe of California and Nevada members uphold those customs; they have revived the Washoan language for the generations to come, and they have reclaimed 70,000 acres of their ancestral homelands. Euro-American Settlers The Washo people’s first non-native contact may have been the expedition party of pathfinder John C. Frémont and his scout Kit Carson, who passed through these Sierra ridges and became snowbound in February 1844. Ten years later, Vermont farmer John Hawkins claimed the Hot Springs Valley by homesteading it. After the native Washo were driven out, loggers and woodcutters denuded the pine-covered hills. In 1878, Alvin Merrill Grover received an interest in the land, built a bathhouse, and fenced in the hot springs pool. His widow charged visitors to bathe in the hot springs and to pitch tents on the hillside. A later owner, Charles Scossa, lived at the springs in the log cabin nearby. Although park advocates suggested in 1928 that this area would be a desirable state park site, the property did not become Grover Hot Springs State Park until 1959. NATURAL history Vegetation-Black cottonwood and ponderosa, lodgepole (or tamarack), Jeffrey, and single-leaf pinyon pines surround the Hot Springs Valley meadow. Incense cedar, mountain alder, and juniper grow nearby. Profuse colorful wildflowers dot the central meadow in spring. Ask at the kiosk for a wildflower list. Wildlife-Such raptors as bald eagles and sharp-shinned hawks perch in trees; turkey vultures circle above. Mountain lions, Formation of a hot spring Cold dw groun ate r The current valley was formed by glacial action during the ice age, but the presence of hot springs is older and deeper. Subduction — caused by the collision of the lighter American continental plate and the heavier Pacific plate — forces the heavier rock of the Pacific plate deep into the earth. Along the subduction zone, pressure and friction melts the hot rock to magma, which solidifies into igneous rocks. Faults — fractures in the earth’s crust with differential movement — are often associated with the plate boundaries, as are earthquakes. When groundwater percolates down into the earth, it meets the hot magma and d w e t a rock, heating the water. Hot water is less dense than cool water, so it rises through a ter He the fractures and faults, collecting dissolved minerals on its course, and bubbles FRACTURES OR FAULTS up as a hot spring. Cold surface water replaces the rising heated water, then the cold water heats — continuing the cycle. Six mineral springs here collect 148° F water at the IGNEOUS HOT OR MOLTEN ROCK surface. A holding tank above the pools lets the water cool before it fills the hot pool. ROCK (heat source) black bears, coyotes, raccoons, and bobcats may sometimes be seen, and bats and owls fly silently through the dark. RECREATION Camping-More than 75 sites have firepits and grills, cupboards, bear-resistant lockers, and tables, with nearby piped water and restrooms/showers. The campground is open from Memorial Day until October, weather permitting. Make site-specific reservations at www.parks.ca.gov or (800) 444-7275. In winter, the day-use parking area has 20 first-come, first-served campsites near the entrance. Restrooms and piped water are available, but there are no showers. Hiking-The Burnside Lake Trail, which can be accessed at the extra-vehicle parking lot, runs the length of Hot Springs Valley. The trail features a side trip to a waterfall (at 1.5 miles) and Burnside Lake (at 5.5 miles). Access Charity Valley and Blue Lakes Road (6+ miles) using the Burnside Lake Trail. All are outside the park on U.S. Forest Service land. The hot springs pools can be reached by taking the Hot Springs Cutoff Trail. Fishing-Hot Springs Creek is planted with trout in summers when flow is adequate. Swimming/Soaking-Day-use fees apply to use the park’s two pools. The hot soaking pool is kept at 102 to 104˚ F; its mineral water is drained and refilled daily. A cold swimming pool is steps away. A lifeguard is on duty. The pools close on Wednesdays from Labor Day until Memorial Day. Winter Sports-The meadow is ideal for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Interpretive Programs-Campfire and Junior Ranger programs are given in summer. The visitor center gives out park and local information and sells interpretive items. ACCESSIBLE features Parking, two campsites, restrooms with showers, and the pool area are accessible. Accessibility is continually improving. For updates, visit http://access.parks.ca.gov. NEARBY STATE PARKS • Bodie State Historic Park (107 miles) Hwy. 270, Bridgeport 93517 (760) 647-6445 • Emerald Bay State Park (41 miles) Nine miles north of US 50 on Hwy. 89 South Lake Tahoe 96150 (530) 525-7232 please remember • All natural and cultural features, including downed wood, are protected by law and may not be removed or disturbed. • Dogs must be on a six-foot leash and be confined to a tent or vehicle at night. • Bears may be present day and night. Campers are required to keep all food, drinks, and toiletries in the bear-resistant lockers when not being used and promptly dispose of trash in bear-resistant bins. Do not store scented items in vehicles. 72 00 ' Ward Creek 68 Lake Tahoe 00 0' State 6Park 60 ' 0 T O I Y A B E N AT I O N A L Legend 5 0 0' 0' Jackson to waterfall, Burnside Lake, Charity Valley and Blue Lakes Road Campfire Center 60 00 C reek Bridge ' il Cut of Ranger Station Hot Sp r i n gs Restrooms Showers Spring Burnside Connector Wetland Sawmill Creek Trail © 2015 California State Parks Grover Campground North Creek Roads Overlook Trail e S prings Cre k Campground Hot Springs Bridge Wetland South Creek Overlook Trail Visitor Center 108 Pinecrest Sprin gs Cr to 89 , Markleeville ee k ad Hot Springs Ro k ay Sh Creek 89 Road Seasonal Waterfall Cr ee 0.5 Miles 0.75 Kilometers 6600' 6800' ' 7000 ' 0 720 0' ' Calaveras Big Trees SP to Angels Camp Hot GROVER HOT SPRINGS Sha y 0.25 0.5 S TA N I S L A U S N AT I O N A L F O R E S T 5800' 6000' 00 Markleeville Hot Springs R oad Hot Springs 0.25 89 Trail Lake Meadow Hot Springs View Trail 88 ExtraVehicle Parking Meadow f Pools Buck Tr a Parking V 4 26 49 B urnside Campground A Grover Hot Springs SP Bear Valley 104 Accessible Feature 74 EL DORADO ' 620 N 89 50 88 Trail: Hike & Bike C Lake Valley SRA Indian Grinding Rock SHP to Carson City South Lake Tahoe 00 Trail: Hike 50 Washoe Meadows SP N AT I O N A L F O R E S T 64 Unpaved/Service Road 760 20 Kilometers to Sacramento Paved Road 0 10 Miles 10 Pollock Pines Major Road 0 Ed Z’Berg Sugar Pine Point SP D.L. Bliss SP Emerald Bay SP FOREST 660 Hot 76 00 ' 74 00 ' Grover Hot Springs This park is supported in part through 6200' Friends of Grover Hot Springs, an arm of The Bodie Foundation 0' • Markleeville, CA 96120 P.O. Box 218 640 www.visitgroverhotsprings.org T O I Y A B E N AT I O N A L F O R E S T S TAT E PA R K 0 0 0.5 0.5 2 Miles 1 1 2 3 Kilometers