Dangers: Mines and Hot Springs
Two of the biggest hazards in the NCA are abandoned mines and hot springs. The BLM does not manage hot springs or mines for recreational use. Use extreme caution – people and pets have been severely injured or killed. Stay out and stay alive!
Hot Springs
Double Hot Springs
Use extreme caution around this spring – its pools are approximately 180 degrees! For some distance, the water in the streams carrying runoff from Double Hot Springs is almost as hot.
In addition, the banks of the springs are very steep and slippery. If you fall into Double Hot Springs, you cannot get out in time to avoid serious injury. People have died after falling into Double Hot Springs.
Do not dip your hand or put your foot into the springs to test the temperature. Be extremely careful when walking on the paths around Double Hot Springs.
Keep your dog on a leash and your children close around Double Hot Springs. Dogs will jump in and almost always die when they do. Dogs have scalded their tongues by drinking from the streams and have burned their feet when crossing the streams around Double Hot Springs.
Other Hot Springs
Other hot springs in the area are not as hot as Double Hot Springs, but the temperature of most hot springs can still vary greatly.
Always test the temperature of a hot spring before getting in – except Double Hot Springs. As indicated above, do not even test the temperature of Double Hot Springs.
As with Double Hot Springs, always be mindful of slippery banks around hot springs and monitor pets and children.
No camping within 300 feet of any water source.
Abandoned Mines
Abandoned mines are dangerous. Some of the potential hazards are old, unstable explosives, poisonous gases, rattlesnakes, unseen vertical shafts and cave-ins.